18 Offenders Graduate from Veterans Program

18 Offenders Graduate from Veterans Reentry Dorm Program

Johnson State Prison hosts Ceremony

FORSYTH, Ga. – On February 9, 2017, Johnson State Prison hosted a graduation ceremony for their Veterans Reentry Dorm. Eighteen veterans offenders graduated from the 12-month program.

“We are grateful for our partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Georgia Department of Veterans Service, and State Board of Pardons and Paroles,” said Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier. “With their assistance, we are able to provide our veteran offenders with essential tools to successfully reenter society.”

The Veterans Reentry Dorm program was implemented at Johnson State Prison in June 2014. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for veteran offenders to live in a supportive environment where they will receive veteran specific reentry programming. Programming provided includes: post traumatic stress disorder counseling, cognitive behavior groups, rehabilitation, character building, training for employment, obtaining military medical records and birth certificates, family reunification, self-care, giving back to communities, substance abuse treatment, stress management, reentry vocational programs, career center, support groups, identifying benefits and support, and wellness.

The program also aims to put veterans in touch with resources that can be utilized during their reentry, through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Georgia Department of Veterans Service, and State Board of Pardons and Paroles (PAP).

There are currently 148 veteran offenders at Johnson State Prison, and a total of 2,911 veteran offenders statewide.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees.

For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5248 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov.

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