New Facilities Regional Operations Coordinator at Riverbend Correctional Facility

Sonja Brown Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. –  The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Sonja Brown, Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at McRae Women's Facility, to Regional Operations Coordinator at Riverbend Correctional Facility (CF), effective July 16, 2025. As Regional Operations Coordinator, Brown will be responsible for monitoring the facility's operations to ensure that all contract conditions are met and the facility operates with a continuous focus on sanitation, safety, and security.

"Sonja has an immense amount of experience in a variety of correctional roles," said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "We are confident her correctional knowledge will serve her well in her new role at Riverbend CF ensuring the mission is carried out with the highest of standards."

Brown began her career with the Department of Juvenile Justice as a Correctional Officer at Wrightsville Youth Detention Center in 1997 until the facility was re-missioned to Johnson SP, an adult male facility, in 2001. In 2004, she was promoted to Counselor at Central State Prison (SP) followed by a promotion to Chief Counselor and Medical Unit Manager. In 2011, Brown was promoted to the Office of Reentry Services as a Lead Social Service Program Consultant (SSPC 3), and in 2023, she was promoted to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at McRae Women's Facility, where she currently serves.

Brown holds a master’s in administration with a Specialization in Criminal Justice from Walden University and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology from Mercer University. Her departmental training consists of Basic Correctional Officer Training, Corrections Leadership Institute, Basic Management Training, Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment Academy, and POST Instructor Training.

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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 49,000 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 .