Benjamin Ford Named Warden at Calhoun

Commissioner : Homer Bryson

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Benjamin Ford Reassigned

FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Homer Bryson announced the reassignment of Benjamin Ford to Warden at Calhoun State Prison effective July 1, 2016. As Warden, Ford will be responsible for overseeing 253 staff members and 1,677 medium security male offenders. 

“Benjamin has diligently served the Department for over 30 years,” said Commissioner Bryson. “His knowledge and experience is invaluable to our agency.”

Ford began his career with the Department in 1985 as a Correctional Officer at Lee State Prison. He rose through the ranks of Sergeant in 1992 and Lieutenant in 1995. Later that year, he was promoted in 1995 to Chief of Security at Albany Transitional Center. In 2000, Ford was promoted to Superintendent at the Thomasville Diversion Center and was selected to start-up the Bainbridge Probation Substance Abuse Treatment Center.  In 2003, he was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom and upon his return he served as the Special Assistant to the Warden at Calhoun State Prison. Ford was promoted to the Warden at Burruss Correctional Training Center in 2015, where he most recently served.

Ford earned an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Darton University; a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Albany State University; and a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership from the University of St. Louis Missouri. His departmental training consists of: Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT); Basic Management Training (BMT); Corrections Leadership Institute (CLI), Advanced Management Training (AMT); Georgia Management and Leadership Development (GMLD); and Wardens and Chiefs Pre-Command.  

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.