Commissioner: Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

GDC partners with Department of Agriculture

FORSYTH, Ga. – On March 25, Lee Arrendale State Prison’s (LASP) Equine Center hosted a Horse Auction in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (DOA). Of the eleven horses rehabilitated by offenders, all eleven horses were purchased, and the proceeds benefited the Department of Agriculture’s Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation program.

“We are grateful to work with our partners at the Department of Agriculture, to rehabilitate horses and prepare them for auction,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “Not only do the horses benefit from the care they receive in this program, but the offenders are able to obtain hands on experience to assist them when they return to society.”

The Equine Rescue program at LASP began in 2008, when the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) entered into a partnership with the Georgia DOA, after they expressed a need for space for neglected and abused horses, especially in the southern part of the state. The Georgia DOA rescues the horses and transports them to LASP for care and treatment. The horses are nursed back to health by the offenders, before ultimately behind sold at auction.

To participate in the program, offenders must have a high school diploma or GED, read at a 12th grade level, complete the SAGE (System for Assessment and Group Evaluation) Occupational Assessment, and be within 18-36 months of their tentative parole month (TPM) or max release date.

Participants receive valuable job skills and certificates from Central Georgia Technical College in Veterinary Assistance and Animal Healthcare, which they can use to gain employment when they return to society.

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 478-992-5248 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.