New Deputy Warden of Security at Phillips State Prison

Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Melinda Carter Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Melinda Carter to Deputy Warden of Security at Phillips State Prison (SP) effective October 1, 2021. As Deputy Warden, Carter will be responsible for overseeing security staff members at the facility and more than 832 medium-security male offenders.

“Carter has proved herself to be an effective leader during her tenure with the agency,” Ward said. “I am confident that her correctional knowledge and commitment to public safety will benefit both the staff and offenders at Phillips SP.”

Carter began her career with the GDC in 1997 as a correctional officer at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison.  She transferred to Phillips SP in 2003, where she promoted through the ranks to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Assistant Commander of the Tactical Squad.  In 2007, she transferred to the Probation Division as a Surveillance Officer, and in 2008 she transitioned to the City of Gainesville as a Police Officer.  In 2010, she rejoined the GDC Probation Division where she was promoted to Probation Officer I, and then Community Supervision Officer II.  In 2016, she returned to Phillips SP as a Behavioral Health Counselor I.  She was then promoted through the ranks as Behavioral Health Counselor II in 2017, Behavioral Health Counselor III in 2018, and Behavioral Health Counselor Supervisor in 2021, where she currently serves.

Carter received a Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Everest University, and a Master of Clinical Mental Health through National Louis University.  She has completed the following departmental training: Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Probation Officer Training, Supervision I, II and III, Management I, II and III, and the Professional Management Program through Columbus State University.

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