New Special Assistant to the Warden at Valdosta State Prison

Rodney Foulks Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. –  The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Rodney Foulks, Deputy Warden of Security at Smith State Prison (SP), to Special Assistant to the Warden at Valdosta SP, effective May 1, 2026. As Special Assistant to the Warden, Foulks will be aiding the Warden with the daily operations of the facility and management of staff and offenders.

"Rodney has been a dedicated and dependable leader in each position he has held within the agency,” said Commissioner Oliver. “We are confident the knowledge he has gained while working his way up through the ranks will prove invaluable as he continues to uphold the GDC mission in his new role as Special Assistant to the Warden at Valdosta SP.”

Foulks began his career with the GDC at Valdosta SP in 2015 as a Correctional Officer and was a member of the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT). In 2017, he was promoted to Sergeant at Georgia SP and in 2018 he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 2019, he was promoted to Unit Manager at Valdosta SP, and in 2023, he was promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Smith SP, where he currently serves.

Foulks earned an associate’s degree in general studies from Barton College and is currently working toward his bachelor’s degree in public administration at Florida State College. His departmental training consists of Basic Correctional Officer Training, Management, I, II, and III, Supervision I, II, and III, Unit Manager Academy, and Deputy Warden’s Academy.

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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.georgia.gov.