Commissioner : Homer Bryson

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Lt. Mark Lozano of Walker State Prison Honored 

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) honored Lt. Mark Lozano of Walker State Prison as Facilities Supervisor of the Year at the 12th Annual GDC Awards ceremony on June 9 at GDC Headquarters in Forsyth, Ga.

“Lt. Lozano is someone to look up to, not only within his facility, but across our agency,” said Commissioner Bryson. “He not only strives to encourage new officers, offer his assistance in needed roles and positions within his facility, he also selflessly volunteers to spearhead holiday events and remembrances for the facility and offender population.”

The Facilities Supervisor of the Year award is presented to a supervisor who exemplifies leadership by always supporting shift and facility missions.  The honor is awarded to a supervisor who mentors new employees, volunteers for additional responsibilities and consistently promotes security and safety. 

Lt. Lozano was selected for this award for his unwavering focus on team approach, his mentoring of new officers, his determination to keep Correctional Officer vacancies at a minimum and for spearheading a Vietnam Veterans ceremony in 2015. Lt. Lozano along with more than 200 offenders gave Vietnam veterans in their community of Rock Springs, Ga. the welcome home they deserved on Veterans Day, when they unveiled a quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The wall was constructed of cardboard with all 58,300 names hand stamped onto their corresponding panels. Watch the agency’s Real Time Reel Life video showcasing their efforts and this event here.

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.