New Warden Named at Whitworth Women's Facility

Commissioner : Brian Owens

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Brooks L. Benton Appointed

Forsyth - Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens announced the appointment of Brooks L. Benton as the Warden of Whitworth Women's Facility effective July 1, 2013. The facility is located in Hartwell, Georgia. As Warden, Benton will be responsible for overseeing 148 staff members and 428 medium security female inmates.

"Benton has shown great leadership as Deputy Warden," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "We know Benton will do a great job in his new role."

Brooks began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1993 as a Correctional Officer at Hart Detention Center. He was promoted to Counselor at Whitworth Parole Revocation Center in 1995, then to Senior Counselor in 1997. A year later, Brooks was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at Alcovy Diversion Center and transferred to I.W. Davis Probation Detention Center. He was promoted to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at Lee Arrendale State Prison in 2008 and most recently served as Deputy Warden of Security.

Brooks holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. He has completed Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Management Training, Professional Management Program, Warden's Pre-Command, Corrections Leadership Institute and Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment Academy.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 60,000 state prisoners and more than 160,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 12,000 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.