Students at Walker State Prison in the Welding program of Central Georgia Technical College’s (CGTC) Office of Re-entry Services recently sent Gov. Nathan Deal and first lady Sandra Deal handcrafted gifts. The items are a token of appreciation to the couple for their commitment to the state’s prison reform, as the two students discussed in reflection notes shared with the College.

Gov. Deal’s tenure included early and sustained efforts to combat recidivism through criminal justice reform allowing inmates at Walker State Prison, among others, to participate in education and training programs through CGTC and its Office of Re-entry Services.

Re-entry Services at CGTC is a division of the College committed to the educational and training component of criminal justice reform and recidivism rate reduction among Georgia’s incarcerated citizens, and through its efforts, streamlines effective transition of those citizens into the workforce.

CGTC Welding program instructor William Hill has a project component to his course. Before completion of the project, Hill shared with his students that without the governor’s leadership their opportunity to enroll in a college program and earn employable credentials to their benefit post-release,  likely would not have happened.

The students and instructor saw fit to allow their talents to express their gratitude, turning the project into a gift. They designed and built a decorative rose wall mount and bracelet for Mrs. Deal. Gov. Deal received the items this week.

Two students each served as project leaders. The project leaders sent the items through the Office of Re-entry Services to Gov. Deal and followed up the assignment by jotting down their appreciation and sharing their responses to how they learned of the governor’s impact on their training.

Dr. Brittany Lucas, the executive director of the Office of Re-entry Services, said the state has graciously afforded these men an unmerited new skill set, provided to them by a willing investment into their futures. She said she hopes their notes of gratitude find their way to the Deal family.

“The gifts are beautiful and the letters show the immense hard work, growth, humility, and maturity these men have arrived at while serving their time at Walker State Prison,” Lucas said.

“As much as I am pleased to direct an office that oversees programs that will improve their opportunities post-release, I need not say more than what these men already have. Governor Deal’s impact is right there in their words.”

Provided below is the text from copies of the two project leaders’ letters to the Deal’s. Information pertaining to their identities and likeness has been redacted due to the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) policies.