Georgia Observes Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week

Commissioner : Brian Owens

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

July 13-19, 2014

Forsyth — The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) is proud to recognize pretrial, probation and parole supervision week, July 13-19, 2014. The Department employs over 1,100 probation officers that supervise more than 160,000 probationers across the state of Georgia.

“It is this time of year when we are given the opportunity to show our sincere appreciation to the brave men and women within our communities who keep our streets safe through the supervision of the state's felony probationers,” said Commissioner Brian Owens.  “They are the fabric that maintains order and ensures public safety within our communities.”

The theme for this year's supervision week is Be the CHANGE. Working in communities throughout the state of Georgia affords our probation officers the opportunity to make a significant change in the life of a probationer and by extension a probationer's family.

"Probation and Surveillance Officers in the Georgia Department of Corrections are charged with an awesome responsibility; monitoring the supervision of court ordered conditions of probation and providing probationers opportunity for change," said Director of Probation Operations Mike Kraft. "Recognition for Probation Officers does not come often, but they play a huge role in upholding the mission of public safety. Their professionalism and public service reflects positively on the Georgia Department of Corrections and they make the State of Georgia a safer, better place to live."

Commissioner Owens and the Department would also like to recognize the 300 parole officers with the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles who supervise more than 25,000 parolees statewide.

The Department encourages citizens of Georgia to join in honoring those who work to make our communities a safer place to live.

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.