New Private Prison Monitor at Riverbend Correctional Facility

Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Scott Wilkes Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Scott Wilkes to Private Prison Monitor at Riverbend Correctional Facility, effective January 1, 2021. As Private Prison Monitor, Wilkes will be responsible for monitoring the facility’s operations, to ensure that all contract conditions are met and that the facility operates with a continuous focus on sanitation, safety and security.

“Wilkes has an enormous amount of experience in a variety of areas within the agency,” said Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “I am confident that his knowledge and leadership skills will serve him well in his new position.”

Wilkes began his career with the Department in 2000 as a Senior Mental Health Counselor at Augusta State Medical Prison. In 2004, he was promoted to Mental Health Behavior Specialist and assumed the responsibilities of Chief Negotiator for GDC Special Operations until 2012. Wilkes was promoted, in 2008, to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at ASMP. In 2012, he was promoted to Superintendent at Augusta Transitional Center, and in 2016, he was promoted to Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison. In 2017, he was appointed to Superintendent at Augusta Transitional Center, where he currently serves.

Wilkes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Augusta University. He has completed the following departmental training: Basic Management Training, POST Instructor Training, and Warden’s Pre-Command.

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.