DJJ Leadership Honor Award Winners at Secure Facilities Conference

The DJJ Division of Secure Campuses and the Division of Secure Detention hosted the department’s Professional Development Conference (PDC) on July 9th – 11th at the State of Georgia's Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris.

The roster of participants from DJJ’s 26 statewide secure facilities promoted participation from Executive Leadership, Facility Directors, Juvenile Correctional Officers (JCOs), and lieutenants and sergeants and captains. The theme of the PDC – “The Power of You” – encouraged all echelons of correctional administrators at the Department of Juvenile Justice to draw upon their leadership powers and proficiencies to become better leaders and to positively influence young offenders in DJJ care and custody.  

During the July 10th awards ceremony, Commissioner Avery D. Niles and DJJ Leadership honored secure campus and secure facilities employees for going ‘above and beyond’ their duties. The award recipients and nominees were recognized for their ‘continued dedication’, ‘exemplary leadership’ qualities and commitment to ‘operating safe and secure facilities’. Public Safety Training Instructor Monaleto Irby and DeKalb RYDC Clerical Worker, La’Shyria Williams, inspired audiences with uplifting musical performances.

Commissioner Niles presented his personal congratulations along with the following awards:

Professional Service Award – Office of Chaplaincy Services 

Overall Achievement in Training and Excellence – Martha K. Glaze Reg. Youth Detention Center (RYDC)

Facility Director of the Year – Eddie Mathis (Loftiss RYDC)

Facility of the Year Award – Muscogee Youth Development Campus (YDC)

Facility on the Move – Metro RYDC

Facility Supervisor of the Year – Captain Jacquline Richie (Augusta YDC)

Officer of the Year Award – Officer Ladonna Brooks (Loftiss RYDC)

Commissioner’s Choice Award – Rockdale RYDC

Commissioner Niles also honored Academy Director DeBaja Coleman and Augusta RYDC Facility Director James Reid with Commissioner’s Challenge Coins for their ‘outstanding work and resounding commitment’ to promote this agency’s goals and values.

“We are ‘One Team and One Mission’. This agency’s greatest assets are its people,” said Commissioner Niles. “I cannot thank you enough for your hard work and perseverance. We could not accomplish what we do for our youth and their families and the citizens of Georgia without your daily demonstrations of leadership.”