Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Yolanda Byrd Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Interim Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Yolanda Byrd to Deputy Warden of Security at Smith State Prison, effective December 1, 2018. As Deputy Warden of Security, Byrd will be responsible for overseeing approximately 325 staff members and 1,545 close security male offenders at the facility.

“Byrd’s experience and expertise have proven to be an asset to the agency,” said Interim Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “We look forward to the knowledge and experience she will bring to Smith State Prison.”

Byrd began her career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2009 as a Correctional Officer at Smith State Prison.  In 2013, she was promoted to Sergeant, serving in the capacity of Assistant Shift Supervisor and Sanitation/Building Sergeant on Split Shift, before being promoted to Lieutenant in 2014.  In 2017 Byrd was promoted to Tier II Unit Manager at Smith State Prison, where she currently serves.

Byrd earned a bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance, with an emphasis in Financial Planning from Georgia Southern University, and a bachelor of science degree in Exercise Science from Georgia Southern University.  She has completed the following departmental training: Basic Correctional Officer Training, Sergeants Academy, Basic Management Training, GCIC Certification Training, Adjunct Auditor Training and Supervision Training.

About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (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.