Curtis Carter Appointed Warden of Valdosta State Prison, Brings Extensive Experience to Georgia Facility

Valdosta State Prison is set to welcome its new warden, Curtis Carter, who will step into the role on July 16. The Georgia Department of Corrections made the announcement earlier this week, placing confidence in Carter's extensive experience within the department. According to the official press release, Carter will be overseeing the facility's staff and roughly 1,184 male inmates.

Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver praised Carter's qualifications for the job, "Curtis’ leadership experience and work ethic have proven to be an invaluable asset to the agency. We are confident that his correctional knowledge and unwavering dedication will prove beneficial as he begins his journey at Valdosta SP," as noted by the same press release.

Curtis Carter's career with the GDC began in 1996 as a correctional officer at Lee State Prison. Over the years, he has served in various capacities, including the CERT team and K9 Unit as a Sergeant, before moving to the Special Management Unit CERT team in 2008. Carter's rise through the ranks continued at the Georgia Diagnostic Classification Prison, where he served as Lieutenant, Captain, and eventually Major. Before his latest promotion, Carter was Warden at Autry State Prison, a position he took on in 2024.

Alongside his practical experience, Carter has accumulated a broad base of formal training and education. He holds an Associate of Arts degree from Seward County Community College. His departmental trainings include a variety of programs tailored to correctional facility management and operations, such as Basic Correctional Officer Training, CERT Basic Training, and Hostage Negotiation Training, among others. His academic portfolio is rounded out with participation in the Professional Management Program through Columbus State University and completion of both the Deputy Warden's Academy and Warden's Pre-Command.