New Assistant Director for Southwest Region Named

Shawn Emmons Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Shawn Emmons, Warden at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, to Assistant Director for the Southwest Region, effective July 16, 2025. As Assistant Southwest Regional Director, Emmons will assist in the oversight of the daily operations of 14 state facilities in the Southwest Region.

“Shawn has worked his way up through the ranks, bringing a wealth of correctional experience with him to each position he has held,” said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “I am confident he will continue to uphold the GDC mission as he takes the next step in his leadership journey as Assistant Director for the Southwest Region.”

Emmons began his career with the GDC in 1998 as a Correctional Officer at Valdosta State Prison (SP). He served as a Correctional Officer, Outside Detail Officer, Offender Rehabilitation Counselor, and Chief Counselor. In 2013, Emmons was promoted to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment. In 2015, he was promoted to Warden at Johnson SP and transferred as Warden at Wilcox SP in 2017. In July 2018, Emmons returned to Valdosta SP as the Warden and served until 2022, when he was transferred to Hays SP. In 2023, Emmons was reassigned to Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, where he currently serves.

Emmons received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Valdosta State University. He has completed the following departmental training: Basic Correctional Officer Training (BCOT), Basic Counselor Training, Reentry Specialist Training, Sex Offender Release and Registration Training, PREA Compliance Training, Basic Management Training, Advanced Management Training , Corrections Leadership Institute, Deputy Wardens Academy and Warden’s Pre-Command.

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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 approximately 47,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov .