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Warden Dannie Thompson (l) accepts the Georgia flag from Commissioner Brian Owens, signifying his new command at Smith State Prison in Glennville.
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Incoming GSP Warden Don Jarriel (l) receives his new badge from Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens.
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Stephen Upton, former Warden at Georgia State Prison.
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by Michelle Wolf
Smith State Prison in Glennville and Georgia State Prison in Reidsville welcomed new Wardens Dannie Thompson and Don Jarriel, respectively, during ceremonies held Tuesday, July 21, at the facilities.
Dannie Thompson was presented his official badge as the eighth Warden of Smith State Prison by Department of Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens. He was congratulated by Georgia Senator Jack Hill, Department of Corrections Board member Wayne Dasher, and several other area Wardens and staff on his promotion.
“For those of you who have moved around a lot, those move notices are not usually what we look forward to. I did look forward to this one. I loved the staff and facility at Calhoun State Prison, but to come to Smith State Prison, it’s like coming home. There are so many familiar faces here; I am glad to be here;” Thompson said.
Thompson, a native of Montgomery County, graduated from Montgomery County High School in 1977. He joined the Department of Corrections in 1987 as a Correctional Officer at Coastal State Prison. He was promoted to Canine Handler in 1989, and Training Instructor in 1992, where he served for nine years. Thompson was promoted to Warden at Wayne State Prison in 2002. In 2003, he was appointed to serve as Warden at Coastal State Prison and in 2006 at Calhoun State Prison. Prior to joining Corrections, Warden Thompson worked in his family’s logging business.
Don Jarriel, who had been the Warden at Smith State Prison, is now the new warden at Georgia State Prison (GSP) in Reidsville. He was also presented his official badge by Commissioner Owens during a ceremony at the facility in Reidsville.
“You don’t know how happy I am, just ask my wife. We are moving back home to Reidsville. I got my start in Corrections work at Georgia State Prison, and I’ve worked closely with a lot of the same people while I was the Warden at Smith State Prison. This is just great,” Jarriel said.
Jarriel is a native of Chatham County, but grew up in Reidsville. He began his career with Corrections in November 1978 as a Correctional Officer at Georgia State Prison. Jarriel’s father and both his grandfathers also retired from working at Georgia State Prison. While there, Jarriel worked his way up through the ranks, supervising the maximum security unit L and M building, and also serving as former Squad Commander for nine years. In 1999, Jarriel was promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Dodge State Prison. Two years later, he was promoted to Warden. In 2006, Jarriel was appointed to serve as Warden of Smith State Prison until July 21, 2009. The Department of Corrections has been Jarriel’s only career since joining the force at the age of 18. He currently resides with wife, Kay, and his granddaughter, Logan. He has three grown children and several grandchildren.
“We’ve watched leaders come out of the ranks. I think that’s a wonderful trait that we do grow leaders. I just want to salute the Commissioner, the Board, the staff, and these two fine gentlemen,” said Senator Jack Hill.
“I’ve known both these guys. They are both experienced professionals, and they know that the standards in the Department of Corrections are exceptional. I have the utmost confidence in both of them; I wish I had 30 more of them,” said Commissioner Owens.
Warden Jarriel replaces Warden Stephen Upton. Upton is a native of Rossville, Georgia, and a graduate of Lakeview/Ft. Oglethorpe High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Warren National University in 2006.
Upton is now working at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison.
“It’s only about two hours from my hometown. I am definitely looking forward to the new challenges,” Upton said.
Participants in the Smith State Prison program included the Smith State Prison Color Guard, Unit Manager Jimmy Bland, Correctional Officer Carla Davis, Deputy Warden Wayne Johnson, Field Operations Manager Randy Tillman, Jana Thompson Reaves, and Chaplain Flynn.
Participants in the Georgia State Prison ceremony included the Georgia State Prison Color Guard, Lieutenant Sandy Jackson, Chaplain Phillip Keeter, Deputy Warden of Care and Treatment John Paul, Field Operations Manager Randy Tillman, Jana Thompson Reaves, and Correctional Officer Arnetta Parker.
Smith State Prison
Smith State Prison opened in December 1993 as the Tattnall Correctional Institution. The brand new facility, located on 235 acres in Glennville, was dedicated and renamed the Donald Smith Correctional Institution to commemorate slain Officer Donald Smith, who was killed in the line of duty in 1970 while attempting to apprehend an escaped convict. In 1996, the institution became Smith State Prison. The facility now houses 1,600 inmates.
In 2007, Smith State Prison became the first institution to open a Transitional Center housing residents inside the institution. Smith Transitional Center now houses 200 “residents.” The residents are transported daily to Claxton Poultry Plant to work and earn wages. Residents pay for their room and board, hygiene products, and snacks while incarcerated as well as learn responsibility in the job force, how to manage their money, and prepare themselves for the transition of getting out of prison to avoid recidivism. Working through many adjustments and teamwork with residents and staff, the transitional center is proving to be a great success.
Currently Smith State Prison is the “mother facility” to Long State Prison in Ludowici, and Southeast Probation Detention Center and Women’s Detention Center, both located in Claxton.
Georgia State Prison
Georgia State Prison, outside of Reidsville, was originally opened in 1937 as a maximum security level prison. It has recently been transformed to a medium security facility with 1,524 inmates. Georgia State Prison was the first prison in the United States to receive accreditation by the American Medical Association for its health care delivery services. The model of GSP’s Mental Health Program has been implemented in several federal facilities across the country. Georgia State Prison was also the first prison to receive accreditation by the American Correctional Association for meeting the requirements set forth by the American Correctional Association for Adult Correctional Facilities.
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