Graduation from Inaugural Culinary Program

Graduation from Inaugural Culinary Program

Nine Detainees Receive Certification in ServSafe Management

FORSYTH, Ga. –  On December 14, 2018, graduates from the inaugural culinary program at the Colwell Probation Detention Center (PDC) completed their training in ServSafe Management. The program began October 5, 2018 and is the result of North Georgia Technical College partnering with the Colwell PDC though a grant to provide detainees an opportunity to earn vocational training.

“Completing training while incarcerated is one of many steps an offender can take to prepare themselves for their transition back into society,” said Timothy C. Ward, the Interim Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections. “The Department is fortunate to have partners in our community willing to share their expertise to benefit our offender population.”

The 10-week culinary program began with nine students and is taught once a week by a college instructor at the school campus in Blairsville, Ga. The course certifies its participants as ServSafe Managers, which is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program administered by the National Restaurant Association. Receiving the ServSafe Manager Certification ensures the offenders possess adequate food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illnesses.

“We are so thrilled to be providing this opportunity to the inmates at Carlton Colwell Detention Center,” Shelby Ward, Dean of Adult Education at North Georgia Technical College.  “Our goal is to help each graduate gain employment by giving them an advantage in the workforce by being work ready upon release.” 

For more information please visit https://www.northgatech.edu/

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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 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 478-992-5247 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov