2015 Faith Based Contributors of the Year Named

Commissioner : Homer Bryson

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Several Entities Honored

FORSYTH, Ga. - The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) named several recipients for the Faith Based Contributor of the Year at the 12th Annual GDC Awards ceremony on June 9 at GDC Headquarters in Forsyth, Ga.

The Department’s mission of protecting the public by operating secure and safe facilities while reducing recidivism could not be accomplished without the assistance of our faith based contributors.  The following groups and persons were nominated by GDC staff, who wished to honor them for their contributions:  

Clayton TC Volunteer (Lanson Newsome, Michael Flournoy, Taylkor Davis, D. Sue DeBord, and Bridget Cruse), 12 Stone Church, Frank Abrahamsen of Praise & Prayer Ministry, Jim Truitt of Kairos, Pastor Lawrence Knighton of St. James Baptist Church, Chaplain Norman Schwartz, Serving Time Ministry of the Central Savannah River Area, and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

“We are truly grateful to have such amazing faith based partners within our communities,” said Commissioner Bryson. “The contribution they make to the men and women within our system is beyond measure.”

Several key officials were on hand for the ceremony, which was attended by more than 200 guests. Making the award presentation with Chief of Staff Greg Dozier were Assistant Commissioner of Administration & Finance Scott Poitevint, Assistant Commissioner of Facilities Timothy C. Ward, Assistant Commissioner of Inmate Services Dr. L.C. ‘Buster’ Evans and keynote speaker Randall Godfrey.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees.

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