Georgia Division of Reentry Services

Georgia Division of Reentry Services 

The Georgia Division of Reentry services is part of the state’s Department of Community Supervision. This division’s mission is to improve public safety by reducing crime through the implementation of a seamless plan of services through supervision developed with each individual. Services are delivered through state and local collaboration from the time of entry to prison through successful transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.

Site Work

Wednesday 9:00am – 1:00pm 

Site work will alternate weekly between remote mentoring with program participants and in-person work in the county offices and for special events.  

Students will be working with individuals as part of a new employment mentoring and coaching pilot program in the Georgia Department of Community Supervision’s (DCS) Reentry Services Division designed to support individuals transitioning from incarceration who are living in Clayton County, Georgia (on the south side of the Atlanta metro area.) This is an opportunity to develop a better understanding of the challenges facing individuals and families in the process of reentry. Students will work with individuals in a mentoring, coaching, care, and case support role. Most support with individual participants will be provided remotely (by phone or videoconferencing). Students will be involved in in-person work, as local municipal and public health regulations permit, at the county office and in planning and implementation of special events, such as workshops and job fairs. There may be opportunities for interested students to participate in reentry-related events beyond the Atlanta Metro area as the year progresses. 

Additional Requirements & Accessibility  

In addition to the criminal background check Candler requires of all admitted students, this site requires a criminal background check administered by the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. Depending on the results of the background check, fingerprinting may also be required.  

Fall 2022 Reflection Group

Monday 4:00pm - 5:30pm. 

Spring 2023 Integrative Seminar

Monday 4:00pm - 6:00pm. 

Pastoral Care Class

Students who enroll in Toco Hills Community Alliance will also enroll in Intro to Pastoral Care PC501 CE 3 in the fall semester, taught by Dr. Keith Menhinick (Tuesday, 2:30pm-5:30pm).

Faculty Academic Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Bounds will serve as the academic advisor for Georgia Division of Reentry Services students.

About the Site

The Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) is responsible for the effective and efficient supervision of approximately 180,000 adults who have committed felonies as well as Class A and Class B designated youth. 

DCS employs evidence-based practices to hold individuals accountable and reduce the state's recidivism rate. The agency utilizes a holistic approach to supervision that involves all facets of the community which includes but is not limited to victims and their families, programs for individuals under supervision and their families, involvement in community activities and partnerships with other criminal justice agencies.   

Additional intensive community support is delivered through the agency’s reentry services division. This division’s mission is to improve public safety by reducing crime through the implementation of a seamless plan of services through supervision developed with each individual. Services are delivered through state and local collaboration from the time of entry to prison through successful transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.  

Our vision is that every person released from prison will have the tools and support needed to succeed in the community. 

Student Reflections

Contact

Maressa Pendermon: revmpendermon@gmail.com

Renée Snead: renee.snead@dcs.ga.gov

Carolyn Johnson: carolyn.johnson@dcs.ga.gov

https://dcs.georgia.gov/reentry-services

Site Supervisors

Renée Snead is the Operations Manager for Reentry Services for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS). In this role, she is responsible for the coordination of the statewide reentry initiative and the implementation of the statewide recidivism reduction grant. Additionally, she has served as a Co-chair for Georgia’s Reentry Education and Employment Committee. Prior to working for DCS, Renée was the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Central Advocacy and Outreach Center. Renée received her BA and JD from Mercer University and an MDiv from Emory University Candler School of Theology.

Carolyn Johnson is the Community Coordinator for Reentry Services for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS). 

Teaching Supervisor

Rev. Maressa Pendermon is a hospice chaplain and pastor at United Fellowship of Christ Church, Greater Atlanta. She is also an activist, and is active in community organizations and advocacy around a number of issues. She is deeply engaged in social justice ministries and in addition to her work as a hospice chaplain, provides an enormous amount of chaplaincy and pastoral care in community and activist spaces, in both formal and informal ways. She has a background in law, community services and advocacy – all of which she brought with her to seminary. She is also a Candler alumna!