Kendric Jackson has been promoted to Warden at Valdosta State Prison, according to an announcement by Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver on May 28. The promotion will take effect June 1, 2026. As Warden, Jackson will oversee staff members and approximately 1,151 male offenders at the facility.
“Kendric has been an exceptional leader and dedicated staff member throughout his career with the GDC,” said Commissioner Oliver. “We are confident that his experience and professionalism will serve him well while he continues to uphold the GDC mission as Warden at Valdosta SP.”
Jackson began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2015 as a Correctional Officer at Smith State Prison. He was promoted to Sergeant and Field Training Officer Coordinator in 2017, Lieutenant in 2018, Chief of Security at Smith Transitional Center in 2019, and Unit Manager at Smith State Prison in 2020. In subsequent years, he served as Deputy Warden of Security at Dodge State Prison beginning in 2022 before being reassigned to Telfair State Prison in 2023. In 2024, he became Warden at Calhoun State Prison.
Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Homeland Security from Colorado Technical University. His departmental training includes Basic Correctional Officer Training, Effective Communication, POST Instructor Training, Sergeant’s Academy, Lieutenant’s Academy, Peer Support Training, Supervision I-III courses, Management I-III courses, Chief of Security Academy, and Deputy Warden of Security Academy.
The Georgia Department of Corrections operates one of the largest prison systems in the United States and is responsible for supervising about 50,000 state prisoners across its facilities.
