New Warden at Washington State Prison

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Scott Wilkes to Warden at Washington State Prison (SP), effective April 1, 2022. As Warden, Wilkes will be responsible for overseeing all staff members and approximately 1,400 close security male offenders.

“Wilkes has been a dedicated employee since beginning his career twenty-two years ago,” said Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “We are confident in his correctional knowledge as he takes on his new leadership role at Washington SP.”

Wilkes began his career with the Department in 2000 as a Senior Mental Health Counselor at Augusta State Medical Prison (ASMP). In 2004, he was promoted to Mental Health Behavioral Specialist and assumed the responsibilities of Chief Negotiator for GDC Special Operations until 2012. Wilkes was promoted in 2008, to Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment at ASMP. In 2012, he was promoted to Superintendent at Augusta Transitional Center (TC), and in 2016, he was promoted to Warden at Augusta State Medical Prison.  In 2017, he was appointed to Superintendent at Augusta TC and in 2021, he was appointed to Private Prison Monitor at Riverbend Correctional Facility, where he currently serves.

Wilkes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Augusta State University.  He has completed the following departmental training: Basic Management Training, Basic Correctional Officer Training, POST Instructor Training, Firearms Instructor Training, and Warden’s 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 nearly 47,000 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