Community Outreach
About the Community Outreach Section
MISSION STATEMENT
The Community Outreach Section connects the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office with the community and inmates through innovative and collaborative programs and services.
VISION STATEMENT
The Community Outreach Section of Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office aspires to meet the diverse needs of our community and inmates. The Community Outreach Section initiatives are aimed at making Gwinnett County a safer, stronger, and more united community. Community Outreach is committed and designed to close the gap between the community and law enforcement by establishing positive relationships in a non-enforcement capacity. This section also provides numerous programs aimed at preparing inmates for the responsibilities of life outside the correctional facility. The Community Outreach section encourages change in the inmate's lifestyle in an effort to promote self-awareness, elevate morale, stimulate intellect, and prevent recidivism.
Community Affairs Unit
The Community Affairs Unit is the liaison unit between the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the community. This unit attends various community events to close the gap between the community and law enforcement by establishing positive relationships in a non-enforcement capacity, promote peace and protect lives, and educate our Gwinnett County residents about crime prevention.
Gwinnett Re-Entry Intervention Program (GRIP)
In 2012, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the United Way of Greater Atlanta and formed the Gwinnett Re-entry Intervention Program (GRIP). This program strives to reduce recidivism by pairing individuals exiting incarceration with community resources to assist them in becoming self-sufficient. GRIP provides them access to resources such as shelter, drug treatment, job skills training, mental health treatment, employment, and housing.
The Gwinnett County Jail’s average daily population is approximately 1,800 inmates. Currently, GRIP has the capacity to serve up to 1,000 inmates a year and utilizes a network of over 80 partner organizations to provide services such as housing, transportation, drug relapse prevention, and vocational training. It also provides opportunities for mental health treatment and medical care. Re-entry Services Section is made up of the programs and staff assigned to the Gwinnett County Jail. GRIP’s primary objective is to provide assistance to inmates while they are incarcerated and help prepare them to make the transition from the jail to the community. The Intervention Services Section is made up of the staff and programs assigned to take place outside of the jail. The primary focus of the Intervention Services Section is to keep individuals from coming to jail or being re-arrested.
For additional information:
Contact: 770.619.6900 | gcsogrip@gwinnettcounty.com
Church and Jail Volunteer Program
The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office partners with many members of the community to provide various volunteer services for the Sheriff’s Office staff and incarcerated citizens. Programs offered are: religious services, 12-step programming, educational programming, and auxiliary support. This helps make the community safer and creates second-chance opportunities.
Qualifications:
- Must be eligible to work in the United States
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must successfully pass a background check
- Complete yearly volunteer orientation
For additional information:
Contact: GCSOVolunteers@gwinnettcounty.com
Explorers Post 699 Program
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 699 Program provides area youth, ages 14 to 21 years old with an understanding of the role of law enforcement. It encourages members to become active in the community through service projects. Committee members are full-time deputies volunteering their time to manage and mentor the explorers. Currently, the Explorer Post 699 Program has over 50 members.
For additional information:
Contact: Adrien.Filer@gwinnettcounty.com
Second Chance Program
The Second Chance Program was established in 2010 as a partnership between the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia. Male inmates are given the opportunity to provide foster care and obedience training to the homeless dogs of Gwinnett County. Animal professionals visit the Gwinnett County Jail weekly to teach inmates how to train and care for the dogs. In 2013, cats were added to the Jail Dogs Program with foster care provided by the female inmates. Currently, we proudly recognize the adoption of over 1,100 dogs and cats. Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the overwhelming support shown by the community for adopting our rescued dogs and cats.
For additional information:
Fresh Start Garden Program
The Fresh Start Garden Program was created in 2016 to teach inmates valuable skills, reduce recidivism and a chance for inmates to taste their hard work. The program provide inmates a chance to gain hands-on landscaping experience and knowledge in the horticulture and gardening fields. Inmates also learn valuable life skills, including responsibility, discipline, mindfulness and how to effectively work in a group setting. Currently, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office has over 70 participants involved in the Therapeutic Community.
For additional information:
Contact: GCSOFreshStartGarden@gwinnettcounty.com
Beat the Heat
The Beat the Heat Program focuses on teaching young drivers about the dangers of street racing and alcohol and drug influenced driving.
For additional information:
Contact:GCSOBeatTheHeat@gwinnettcounty.com
Honor Guard
The primary purpose of the Honor Guard is to provide funeral honors for our fallen comrades. Honor Guard also serves as ceremonial guards by displaying and escorting the national flag on ceremonial occasions, parades, academy graduations and other official functions.
"Honoris Exspectat Digni” ~ Honor Awaits the Worthy
For additional information:
Contact:GCSOHonorGuard@gwinnettcounty.com
