Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

25th Class Graduates

FORSYTH, Ga. — Interim Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced that on December 18, 2018 the Colwell Probation Detention Center held a graduation ceremony for detainees participating in the 25th class of the Rescued Program.  Implemented in 2012, the program is a partnership between the GDC and the Mountain Shelter Humane Society and Castoff Pet Rescue.

“I am very proud of the hard work done not only by the detainees, but the staff as well,” said Ward.  “Having 25 groups of detainees complete this program is a testament to the impact it has on the offenders and the community.”

While participating in the Rescued Program, detainees work to rehabilitate dogs to make them more suitable for adoption, thereby saving them from euthanization.  In turn, the detainees learn skills that will enable them to gain employment upon release, and many of them express gratitude for the positive impact they experience in working with the animals.

To participate in the program, detainees must submit an application and essay. After the screening process, the the applicants complete a 12-week program focusing on viable job skills. The classes include topics such as “Problem Solving Based on Spirituality,” “Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Techniques” and “Worksource Development Career Coach—Resume and Job Searching.”

For more information please visit https://www.facebook.com/RescuedProgram/

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