Former Gov. Nathan Deal (left) and Chief Justice Harold Melton stand at the large wooden table in the banc room where the Georgia Supreme Court meets to discuss and vote on opinions. An image of the Supreme Court seal is embedded in the table top. The table was made by inmates through the Georgia Department of Corrections prison woodworking program whose graduates can earn a cabinetry certificate. (Photo: John Disney/ALM)

Former Gov. Nathan Deal rose before dawn Wednesday at his retirement home on the banks of the Chattahoochee River and rode the 95 miles or so to downtown Atlanta for a first look inside the new Nathan Deal Judicial Center.

Guided by Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton, the lawyer and former governor, congressman, state legislator and juvenile court judge toured the building that bears his name and for which he secured the $131 million in funding for its design and construction. The six-story, 215,000-square-foot center is the state's first dedicated home for the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

"The importance of the judiciary cannot be overstated," Deal said to a gathering that included journalists, judges and justices. "It's important to maintain the confidence of the people of any jurisdiction—whether it be at the state level or the federal level. The words freedom, liberty, justice and equality really come to rest in the bosom of the judiciary."

Deal appointed most of the members of the state's two appellate courts—which he also expanded based on the growing population of the state.

"We are very blessed to have so many qualified individuals sitting on our courts," Deal said. "I know they are going to enjoy this building so they don't have to put their desks right on top of each other as they have had to do in the past."

Deal also received a personal thank you for the criminal justice reform movement he led during his eight years as governor. Deal started his first year in office to turn around a state prison budget that had passed the billion-dollar mark.

The first step was to create a network of accountability courts around the state for those charged with nonviolent offenses related to drugs and alcohol. Also known as treatment courts, the programs offer a chance to avoid prison for those who comply with rules for meeting, counseling, employment and clean drug tests.

In later phases, Deal focused on improving education and job training to help former inmates find work when they are released.

One of those inmates, William Rutledge, talked about how inmates made furniture for the new building—including tables, woodwork, even embroidered upholstery for the chairs where the justices sit.

"What a blessing and honor it is to be here," Rutledge told the group. Then, turning to the former governor on the front row, he said, "Thank you, Gov. Deal."

Rutledge said he now benefits from the manufacturing and drafting skills he learned in prison to earn a living for his family.

"Criminal justice reform has provided opportunities for me and my family that we would not have had before," Rutledge said.

Deal took the moment to touch on his practical philosophy of criminal justice reform, noting that most people in prison will be paroled. "To me, that's rehabilitation of the highest order … to use that time and to make yourself a better person," Deal said. "It's good for our state for people to be productive citizens and become taxpayers."

As judges and justices took reporters on small-group tours of the building, Deal walked through it with Melton—stopping for lunch in the chief justice's chambers and finishing up in the courtroom.

Both Deal and Melton seemed to take delight in the view from the Supreme Court bench—not toward the courtroom, but, when the doors are open, at the gold dome of the Capitol.

"It's appropriate," Deal said. "The state of Georgia can be very proud of this building and all that it represents."