Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Melissa “Lisa” Thompson Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Interim Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Melissa “Lisa” Thompson to Superintendent at Bleckley Probation Detention Center (PDC) effective December 1, 2018. As Superintendent, Thompson will be responsible for overseeing the facility’s daily operations and managing approximately 67 staff members and 199 detainees.

“Thompson has served diligently with the agency for 18 years and I am certain she will continue to bring a proficient level of knowledge and expertise to Bleckley PDC,” said Interim Commissioner Timothy C. Ward.

Thompson began her career with GDC in 2000 as a Counselor at Telfair State Prison (SP) and in 2005, she transferred to Pulaski SP as a Counselor.  In 2009, she was promoted to Chief Counselor at Wilcox SP. Thompson was promoted to Assistant Superintendent at Bleckley PDC in 2013, where she currently serves. 

Thompson earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Services at Mercer University. She has completed the following departmental training: Basic Management Training, Advanced Management Training, Basic Correctional Officer Training and Assistant Superintendent Training; she also received the Georgia Performance Assessment Instrument award from GPAI Leadership.

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 https://gdc.georgia.gov.