GDC Initiating Plans as Hurricane Irma Approaches

Commissioner: Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Steps to protect offenders and staff

FORSYTH, Ga. – As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida and Georgia’s East Coast, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) is taking steps to protect offenders and staff.

“We have been closely monitoring the path of the storm, and its potential impact to our facilities,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “Our staff is well prepared and standing by to carry out the necessary procedures to ensure the safety of the public and the offender population.”

Given the storm’s current predicted path, plans are in place to evacuate offenders who may be housed in facilities located in one of the counties under Governor Nathan Deal’s mandatory evacuation orders.  Preparations have been made at other facilities across the State to temporarily house these offenders until it has been deemed safe to return to their permanent facility.

Facilities located in counties included in the Governor’s State of Emergency declaration but not yet ordered to evacuate, have stocked up on additional food, water, medications and other necessary items.  If power is interrupted, bulk fuel and generators can be utilized.  GDC has also staged additional resources and staff in areas that may be impacted.

While the path of Hurricane Irma is still uncertain, visitation at all GDC facilities across the state will be cancelled, effective immediately.  With a significant amount of GDC resources dedicated to ensuring the safety of both staff and inmates, along with remaining cognizant of heavy traffic delays for those individuals currently traveling to evacuate their homes, the cancellations will remain in place until further notice.

GDC is continuing to monitor the storm in conjunction with our State emergency agencies, and our facilities are prepared to make necessary adjustments and/or evacuations as needed.

We will continue to provide updates on our official website at https://gdc.georgia.gov, and on our social media sites. #hurricaneirma2017

Family and friends of offenders can call GDC’s Call Center line at 404-656-4661 with questions. 

Victims who may have questions can call 404-651-6668.