The last five years have given John Mayes a view into the state Department of Corrections and the lives it affects.

Supported by his willingness to help people, Mayes has been appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to his second five-year term on the Georgia Board of Corrections and named chairman of the board.

“I see it as an honor and an opportunity to serve the people again,” said Mayes, who has been a Floyd County Commissioner for 14 years.

“There are a lot of things we are involved in, but I think the most rewarding is to be able to do constituency services.”

Mayes said he has dealt with talking to family members of state inmates and working with them to resolve a number of different issues. “Usually I can assist in getting the inmate moved to a closer facility so family can have access to them, or in checking for concerned loved ones to see if they are getting the medication they need,” Mayes said.

He also works out ways for inmates to be able to attend the funerals of family members.

Mayes also visits prisons and attends special programs involving inmates graduating from character-based programs — taking part in the celebration of their accomplishments.

“My association with the Department of Corrections has aided me in my dealings with certain aspects of the County Commission,” Mayes said.

As chair of the county’s public safety committee, Mayes can see the ways the decisions on the state level affect what happens in the county, especially with the jail work camps housing state prisoners. “That connection has helped with the line of communication and being able to understand some of the workings of why the Department of Corrections does things that affect the county jail and the work camps,” Mayes said.

Originally appointed to the board by former Gov. Sonny Perdue, Mayes — the owner of Pro Systems Clean Care Inc. — serves as the 18-member board’s 14th Congressional District representative.

“I think that speaks to the fact that the governor has to have confidence in a few people in the state,” Mayes said. “I appreciate him picking me for one of those slots and I intend on doing a good job.”

The state Board of Corrections develops rules governing conduct and welfare of its 14,000 employees, as well as treatment, discipline, housing and training of its 60,000 inmates.