AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio spoke with newly appointed Georgia Commisisoner of Corrections Brian Owens in Atlanta.

Commissioner Owens said that former escaped inmate Johnny Mac Brown is still in a "hi-max" security prison and will not be returned to Hays State Prison in Pennville for "a very long time."

Brown will be facing charges in Chattooga County for escape and for the kidnapping of local resident Kellie Durden.  Brown also faces additional charges in Franklin County Georgia where he was recaptured by Lavonia Police.

Commissioner Owens praised State Representative Barbara Massey Reece for her work in communicating the needs of Hays State Prison.  Owens stated that he had talked with Representative Reece at length on Friday in Atlanta.  Owens also stated that Hays Prison was a priority and that he would be keeping a close eye on the situation at the prison.

Representative Reece told AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio earlier last week that she would be expressing her concerns about moral and security at Hays Prison to the newly appointed commissioner. 

During the prison break, then assisistant-commmissioner Owens was extremely forthcoming with information and stated that he planned to remain accessible as Commissioner of Corrections.