Criminal Justice Grad Nathan Dudley Works to Expand Mental Health Advocacy for Inmates
OFTC— When Nathan Dudley enrolled in the Criminal Justice Program at Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC), he envisioned a future in law enforcement. But along the way, he discovered a greater calling—advocating for individuals in the justice system who are often overlooked.
A Strong Foundation
Dudley credits OFTC with giving him a well-rounded perspective on the criminal justice field, as well as the confidence to succeed.
“My time at OFTC really gave me a solid foundation for success,” Dudley shared. “I had the opportunity to see the criminal justice field from all angles—the good, the negative, and areas where more support is needed.”
More than just knowledge, Dudley had the confidence to know he was prepared for whatever job he took.
“No matter what, OFTC taught me what I needed to excel,” he said. “The staff are outstanding, always accessible and I genuinely felt like they cared about my education.”
Finding A Career
Through his studies, Dudley learned about the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia and the vital services they provide.
“As a CRJ student, I became more familiar with the community and was introduced to various businesses and agencies and learned about their roles and the services they provide,” he shared.
After graduating with his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Technology in 2024, Dudley accepted a case manager position through the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia working in the outpatient substance abuse program to advocate for mental health and addiction recovery services.
And after gaining some experience, Dudley transitioned into his current role as a Peer Support Specialist. Now, he visits inmates in jail to assess their mental health and addiction recovery needs, ensuring those needs are communicated to lawyers, judges, and correctional staff.
“It’s always a good feeling to give hope to inmates,” Dudley said. “But it really feels like you are making a difference to hear correctional staff say, ‘We weren’t sure how to work with this inmate until you came in.’”
OFTC’s Impact
Looking back, Dudley is grateful for the education and experiences which prepared him for his career.
“OFTC taught me the processes and procedures of the justice system inside and out,” he said. “When I joined the jail program, I already knew how the system worked and the tools to use to get the desired results.”
Beyond technical knowledge, Dudley says OFTC gave him the skills and confidence to succeed.
“As a student, I didn’t just sit through a bunch of stuffy lectures,” he said. “I was given the tools to succeed, and I learned how to get and maintain a career.”
Now, he’s using those tools to make a difference—one person at a time.
“My goal is to help grow this program so that every jail in the state has people like me to advocate for the mental health of inmates,” he shared.
For more info about OFTC’s CRJ program, or the 130+ programs available, visit the college’s website, OFTC.edu.
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OFTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.
