New Warden Named at Coastal State Prison

Commissioner : Brian Owens

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Jose Morales Reassigned

FORSYTH - Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens announced the reassignment of Jose Morales as the new Warden of Coastal State Prison effective August 1, 2014. The facility is located in Garden City, Georgia. Formally Warden of Long State Prison, Morales will now be responsible for overseeing 352 staff members and 1,644 medium security male inmates at Coastal State Prison.

“Jose has been serving the Department for over 15 years now,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “We look forward to his continued leadership in carrying out the Department’s mission in his new facility.”     
Morales began his career with the Department in 1999 as a Correctional Officer and Transfer Sergeant at Rutledge State Prison. In 2004, he was transferred to the South West Georgia Corrections Academy at Lee State Prison where he served as Training Major. In 2006, Morales was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at Western Pre-Release Center. In 2007, Morales transferred to Calhoun State Prison and served as Deputy Warden of Security. In 2010, Morales was promoted to Warden at Johnson State Prison and was reassigned in July 2013 as Warden of Calhoun State Prison. In October 2013, Morales was reassigned as Warden of Long State Prison, where he most recently served.

Morales is a retired veteran of the U.S.  Army Airborne Infantry with more than 23 years of honorable service, retiring in 1999. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University.  During his career with the Department, Morales has successfully completed an array of departmental training to include: Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Management Training, Correctional Leadership Institute, POST IT, Firearms Instructor, Hostage Negotiator, Pre-Command, Professional Management Program, Senior Training Instructor, and Crisis Negotiations. 

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 55,000 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.