Organization
Management Profiles
Warden:
Darrell Johnson
Darrell.Johnson@GwinnettCounty.com
Darrell Johnson began his career with Gwinnett County in 1987 as a police officer. In 1988, Darrell transferred to the Department of Corrections to become a correctional officer. In 1989, he was promoted to Sergeant and then to Lieutenant in 1992. He has worked in the Support Services Division for 18 years as the Care and Treatment Supervisor for the counselors and caseworkers. Darrell was appointed as Captain/Accreditation Project Manager in 2007. In 2009, he was promoted to Captain of Security. In 2009, he also became the Deputy Warden of Facility Operations. He has a master’s degree in public administration from the School of Professional Studies, Brenau College, and a bachelor’s degree in criminology, College of the Ozarks. Darrell completed the Gwinnett County Management Development Program Levels I, II, and III in 1994. Darrell also completed the Gwinnett County Executive Drive Program in 2007. In 2009, Darrell attained the status as a Certified Corrections Manager through the American Correctional Association.
Deputy Warden:
David Whiteside
dave.whiteside@GwinnettCounty.com
Deputy Warden Dave Whiteside has served as the deputy warden of the Support Services Division since 2021. He previously served as the captain in the Support Services Division. Dave began his career with the department in 1993 as a correctional officer. In 2000, he served as the commander of the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) until 2010. He advanced up the ranks to sergeant in 1999, lieutenant in 2007, captain in 2020, and deputy warden in 2021. Dave is a Certified Correctional Manager (CCM) through the American Correctional Association. He is a graduate of the Georgia Department of Corrections Sergeant’s Academy, the County’s LEAD Academy, EXCEL Management Development Program, and the Internal Management Academy (IMA).
Captain - Building Security Division:
Barry Sasser
barry.sasser@GwinnettCounty.com
Barry Sasser has served as the captain of Building Security since 2021. He also serves as the commander of the department's honor guards. He previously served as the lieutenant of the Field Operations Unit until 2021. Barry began his career with the department in 1993 as a correctional officer. He advanced through the ranks and became a corporal in 2002, sergeant in 2003, lieutenant in 2009, and captain in 2021. In 2020, Barry earned a Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia State University. He is a POST-certified training instructor specializing in firearms, defensive tactics, and TASER training. Barry serves as an instructor for firearms, TASER, and in-service training. He is a graduate of the Georgia Department of Corrections Sergeant’s Academy, the County’s LEAD Academy and EXCEL Management Development Program, and the Internal Management Academy (IMA). Most recently, Captain Sasser graduated from a two-week course, adding Use of Force to his training repertoire. He continually proves that after 30 years with the department, there is always something more to learn.
Captain - Support Services Division:
Audrey Henderson
audrey.henderson@GwinnettCounty.com
Commander: Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Audrey Henderson serves as the Support Services Division Captain. She is also the commander of the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the training coordinator. She previously served as the lieutenant of the Professional Standard Unit for five years. Audrey began her career in corrections with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 1993 and served on the Olympic Security Team in 1996. She began her career with the department as a correctional officer in 2002. Audrey progressed through the ranks to corporal in 2007, sergeant in 2009, lieutenant in 2012, and captain in 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University. Audrey is a POST-certified training instructor, specializing in TASER training, and CPR/First Aid/AED. She is also a certified Field Training Officer (FTO). Audrey serves as an instructor for TASER and in-service training. As an investigator, she is trained in interviewing and interrogation techniques. She is a graduate of the Georgia Department of Corrections Sergeant’s Academy, the County’s LEAD Academy, EXCEL Management Development Program, and the Internal Management Academy (IMA).
Accreditation
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The Gwinnett County Department of Corrections has earned national accreditation through the American Correctional Association, or ACA. ACA accreditation is intended to improve facility operations through adherence to clear standards relevant to all areas/operations of the facility, including safety, security, order, offender care, programs, justice, and administration. |
The benefits of accreditation are to ensure that Gwinnett County Department of Corrections is operating a secure and safe facility while providing adequate programming, education, and healthcare services to offenders in a manner consistent with national standards.
Through accreditation, an agency is able to provide an environment that safeguards the life, health, and safety of the public, staff and offenders while at the same time providing the necessary education, work, religious, and rehabilitative opportunities that enable an offender to prepare for successful reintegration into the community.
Gwinnett County Correctional Complex ACA Accomplishments:
- Started the Initial Accreditation Process in 2009
- Obtained Power DMS electronic assessment tool for all ACA audits.
- Successfully Completed ACA Audits for the following:
Audit Cycle Mandatory Non-Mandatory May 1, 2010-April 30, 2013 100% Compliance 98.5% Compliance May 1, 2013-April 30, 2016 100% Compliance 98.8% Compliance May 1, 2016-April 30, 2019 100% Compliance 99.0% Compliance
