Press Releases

Georgia Department of Corrections
Brian Owens, Commissioner

Director of Public Affairs
Joan Heath

Contact: Office of Public Affairs (478) 992-5247

STATE OF GEORGIA

For Immediate Release

New Warden Named at Rutledge State Prison - Shay Hatcher Appointed

Forsyth - Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens announced the appointment of Shay Hatcher as the Warden of Rutledge State Prison effective July 1, 2013. The facility is located in Columbus, Georgia. As Warden, Hatcher will be responsible for overseeing 154 staff members and 640 medium security male inmates.

"Hatcher has worked his way up through the ranks," said Commissioner Brian Owens. "His experience will serve him well in his new role."

Hatcher joined the Department of Corrections in 1996 at Hays State Prison as a Correctional Officer. He was promoted to Sergeant at Hays State Prison in 1999 and to Lieutenant at Phillips State Prison in 2004. He was promoted to Chief of Security at Northwest Probation Detention Center in 2006 and in 2009; he was promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Phillips State Prison. In 2010, Hatcher assumed the position of Deputy Warden of Security at Hays State Prison, where he most recently served. Hatcher has attended Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Management Training, Professional Management Program, Corrections Leadership Institute and Wardens Pre-Command. He has a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from California Coast University. Hatcher and his wife, Crissy Hatcher, have two children.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 60,000 state prisoners and more than 160,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 12,000 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5247 or visit http://www.dcor.state.ga.us.

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