January 08, 2026
New Warden at Burruss Correctional Training Center
Chanel Samuel Promoted
FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Chanel Samuel from Special Assistant to the Warden at Burruss Correctional Training Center (BCTC) to Warden at Burruss Correctional Training Center, effective January 16, 2026. As Warden, Samuel will be responsible for overseeing all staff members and approximately 742 male offenders.
"Chanel’s leadership and strong work ethic have consistently proven to be invaluable to the agency," said Commissioner Oliver. "We are confident that her knowledge of corrections and unwavering commitment to the GDC mission will serve her well as she takes on this new role."
Samuel began her career with the GDC in 2015 as a Correctional Officer at BCTC. In 2017, she transferred to Metro Reentry Facility as a Behavioral Health Specialist II, and in 2018, she transferred to the Research, Evaluation, Assessment and Development Unit as a Social Services Program Consultant. Samuel was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of West Central Integrated Treatment Facility in 2020. In 2021, she was promoted to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at BCTC, and in 2025 she was promoted to Special Assistant to the Warden, where she currently serves.
Samuel obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wilberforce University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Colorado Technical University. Her departmental training consists of Executive Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Management Training, Supervision Training, Initial Correctional Counselor Training, POST Instructor Training, Deputy Warden’s Academy, and Wardens 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 50,000 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.