New Deputy Warden of Security at Valdosta State Prison

Charles Mims Promoted

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Timothy C. Ward announced the promotion of Charles Mims to deputy warden of security at Valdosta State Prison (SP) effective July 1, 2019. As deputy warden of security, Mims will be responsible for overseeing approximately 400 security staff members and over 1,070 close-security male offenders.

Valdosta State Prison consists of 10 General Population units with 500 beds, six Mental Health units with 264 beds, 25 Isolation beds plus 12 Acute Care Unit beds and four Crisis Stabilization Unit beds. The Annex contains 554 General Population beds. Of those beds, 100 are designated as Residential Substance Abuse Center beds. This facility also houses a Special Management Unit (SMU), a C.E.R.T. Team, Tactical Squad and a Canine Unit.

“Mims is a dedicated employee who has excelled in each position he’s held within the department,” Ward said. “We are confident that his knowledge and experience will serve the offenders and staff of Valdosta SP well.”

Mims began his career with the GDC in 2007 as a correctional officer at Pulaski SP.  In 2011, he joined the Cobra Squad at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (GDCP).  In 2012, Mims was promoted to sergeant at Pulaski SP, where he was the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) sergeant.  In 2015, he was promoted to lieutenant at Telfair SP, where he was the assistant tactical squad commander.  Mims was promoted to captain at Dodge SP in 2017, and then in 2018 was promoted to the medical unit manager, where he currently serves.

Mims has completed the following departmental training: Basic Correctional Officer Training, Basic Management Training, Sergeants Academy, Supervision I, II and III and Chief of Security training. He is currently enrolled in the Professional Management Program through Columbus State University.