Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

04/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2025 14:56

GEORGIA DJJ WELCOMES 42 NEW CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS

(Decatur, GA) - The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held a graduation ceremony for 42 newly trained Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) cadets on Friday, April 5, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Ga. The cadets have joined the ranks of other JCOs at DJJ secure facilities across the state.

"Juvenile Correctional Officers help ensure a safe and secure environment for rehabilitating and transforming the young lives in our care," said DJJ Commissioner Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb. "I am thankful for these new officers' commitment to DJJ and our youth as they work towards a brighter future."

Basic Juvenile Correctional Officer Training (BJCOT) is a 200-hour comprehensive program that provides basic skills training in security practices and procedures. To complete the program, a cadet must meet established standards on written examinations that evaluate cognitive knowledge and performance-oriented studies.

The graduates are assigned to a DJJ detention center or development campus in Baldwin, Bibb, Clayton, Cobb, Crisp, Dalton, DeKalb, Dodge, Evans, Floyd, Fulton, Hall, Laurens, Muscogee, Richmond, Rockdale, Ware, and Wilkes counties.

Here is a list of BJCOT Class #274 graduates and their hometowns:

Graduate Names Hometowns
Diamond Adams Lawrenceville, Ga.
Keith Allen Decatur, Ga.
April Argyis Lithonia, Ga.
Cedric Ashberry Decatur, Ga.
Brianna Bryant Warner Robins, Ga.
Gianni Butler Atlanta, Ga.
Dasha Campbell Rome, Ga.
Susan Coleman Byron, Ga.
Matthew Dorsey Atlanta, Ga.
Lauren Dunn Dalton, Ga.
Johnny Edwards Conyers, Ga.
Vanessa Fearon Rome, Ga.
Tati'Anna Flowers Fort Valley, Ga.
Izayla Francois Statesboro, Ga.
Edward Godwin Rentz, Ga.
Aubrea Grace Sylvania, Ga.
Rushnay Henry Macon, Ga.
Terris Hicks Warner Robbins, Ga.
Tariaya Horne Dublin, Ga.
Sable Humbert Cordele, Ga.
Shenita Jackson McDonough, Ga.
Ariyana Jenkins Statesboro, Ga.
Wali Jordan Washington, Ga.
Bernard Kearney Lithonia, Ga.
Celeste Lowery Columbus, Ga.
Rosalyn Martin Sandy Springs, Ga.
Dumoteim Ojuka Hiram, Ga.
Keith Redd Riverdale, Ga.
Tyquarious Richardson Augusta, Ga.
Zari Rozier Sandersville, Ga.
Nekia Smith-McGee South Fulton, Ga.
Preston Still Columbus, Ga.
Antelka Stovall Douglasville, Ga.
Devan Stroud Atlanta, Ga.
Rikea Thomas Blackshear, Ga.
Jirsten Thompson Milledgeville, Ga.
Shamekia Vaughn Jonesboro, Ga.
Vincent Watt Columbus, Ga.
Xavier Wilks Austell, Ga.
Lorrina Williams Macon, Ga.
Keyonae Woodside Canton, Ga.
Derrick Wright Hampton, Ga.

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves the state's justice-involved youth up to 21 years of age. The Department's mission is to transform young lives by providing evidence-based rehabilitative treatment services and supervision, strengthening youth and families' well-being, and fostering safe communities.

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Photo Permission: Georgia DJJ permits you to use the attached photo below. Photos of graduates are also available upon email request.

Contact

CommunicationsGlenn Allen

Primary (404) 291-0208

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