Coffee and Wheeler Expand, Receive Kudos from Community

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Barry Goodrich, warden at Coffee, cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the expansion dedication

CCA’s Coffee Correctional Facility in Nicholls, Ga. and Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo, Ga. recently expanded, opening their doors to over 2,000 additional inmates from the Georgia Department of Corrections. But first, more than 200 local citizens and officials toured and celebrated the newly-completed facility expansions during the dedication ceremonies held May 12, 2010.

Coffee, which is the second largest taxpayer in Coffee County, Ga., has become one of the biggest correctional facilities in the state of Georgia since its expansion. The facility’s two new buildings hold 868 new beds (434 in each building). Other features include a chapel, a medical and dentistry area and vocational classrooms.

“The inmates housed in the expansion area will be able to do virtually everything in that area,” explains Barry Goodrich, warden at Coffee. “They will have to enter the existing facility only for meals and to go into the big recreation yard.”

Nearly 200 inmates have already moved into Coffee's expanded area and it’s expected that by the end of July, both buildings will reach capacity.

Wheeler provided timely service for the State of Georgia by immediately adding 378 beds in its expanded area, to accommodate 360 inmates. Beginning in July, the facility will receive another 530 inmates.

Both facilities’ expansions have given existing CCA staff an opportunity for career development, while also generating needed job openings for local citizens.

“The expansion came at a really great time,” says Debbie Fountain, mayor of Alamo. “When a company expands, that means it’s doing something right; it has succeeded in the first step and is now moving on to the next step. We hope there’s a way CCA can continue to expand in our community.”

“The event was a complete success,” says Ralph Kemp, warden at Wheeler. “Our staff members were very proud of our facility and all the numerous compliments our visitors gave us.”

Goodrich says Coffee’s expansion received the same warm community welcome.

“The community feedback was very positive; they showed their appreciation of what the expansion brings to the city of Nicholls and to Coffee County.”

By DeAndra Mack