Corrections Connection Michigan Department of Volume 27, Issue 14 November 2015

Michigan Department of Corrections
Corrections Connection
Volume 27, Issue 14
November 2015
Corrections Connection
November 2015
2
In this issue:
Training Academy
3
“A bigger calling” 5
Charitable Campaign 5
Season of giving 5
Field Days podcast 6
Virtual welding 6
Around the MDOC 6
Kinross open house 7
DRC Resource Fair 7
Saluting our veterans 8
Fit 4 Life 8
Physical plant administrator 8
The Extra Mile Corrections Connection is a publication of the
Office of Public information and Communications.
Story ideas and comments can be submitted to
Holly Kramer at [email protected].
Like MDOC on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
9
Snapshots 10
Pistol shoot competition 11
Honor Guard fundraiser 11
With Thanks 12
Corrections Quiz 12
Red Wings events 13
Corrections in the news 13
Seen on social media 13
New hires 14
Retirements 16
The image on the cover of the Kalamazoo River in
Marshall was taken by Ray Closson, a corrections
officer at Parnall Correctional Facility. For the chance
to have your photo featured on the cover of the
newsletter, email a high-resolution version of the
image and a description of where it was taken to Holly
Kramer at [email protected].
Corrections Connection
November 2015
Robust Ranks
gruelling, but for
some new corrections
officers, like Maria
Zavala, it was also
exhilarating.
Zavala, who said
she always wanted
to work in criminal
justice, enjoyed the
pace of training and
considered it exciting.
“It forced you to
push yourself and see
progress,” Zavala said.
“It was definitely a great learning
opportunity. I would do it all over
again.”
Earlier this year the department
announced it would be returning
to state-run academies to help
offset a wave of retirements
stemming from a hiring boom in
the 1980s.
Since then, almost 900 new
corrections officers have joined
the MDOC after completing
academies in Lansing and the
Almost 900 new
corrections officers
completed the
academy in 2015
D
onning helmets, vests and
gas masks, a group of new
corrections officers completed
a strenuous training drill before
guiding their classmates through a
winding path of obstacles.
They needed to know what it was
like to feel physically stressed in
a high-pressure situation like a
facility disturbance, where their
response would be crucial to
maintaining safety and security.
The training at the corrections
officer academy could feel
Upper Peninsula.
On Nov. 6, 238 recruits in the
Barbara Bouchard Class, the
department’s final academy for the
year, graduated and joined their
facilities for eight weeks of on-thejob training. Zavala was among
them.
“Corrections
is intriguing,”
Click here
said Zavala,
to see a
a new
corrections
video of the
officer at
corrections
Michigan
Reformatory.
officer
“I wanted
training
a career in
the field in a
academy.
position that
would be
different daily.”
To become a corrections officer,
interested applicants must be at
least 18 years old and must have
a high school diploma or G.E.D.
and at least 15 college credits in
3
Corrections Connection
November 2015
4
group of individuals and
maintain an attention to
detail to recognize when
something seems out
of place, said Sgt. Kirk
Bussell, of Carson City
Correctional Facility, who
served as a platoon leader
at the academy.
In addition they must
understand that authority
is given, but respect is
earned, Bussell said.
Most importantly, they
must learn to work as a
team with their colleagues.
During this year’s final
graduation ceremony,
Director Washington told
new recruits the officers
Corrections officers line up before the final academy graduation ceremony for the year on Nov. 6.
beside them and at their
applicable disciplines. Military
offenders, among other topics.
facilities would become an
veterans could use training or
Director Heidi Washington
extended support system.
education documented on their
underscored the importance of
That message rang true for
joint services transcript to satisfy
what recruits would learn during
Corrections Officer James
the educational requirement and
the academy, and in their future
Courtney, of Macomb Correctional
may also be eligible to be paid
roles within the department, when Facility.
through the GI Bill for training in
she spoke to new officers during
Courtney was a corrections officer
addition to receiving state pay.
the start of an academy class in
in Virginia for five years before
The curriculum for the academy’s
September.
moving to Michigan with his
eight weeks of classroom
“With experience and knowledge,
family and he wanted to stick with
instruction includes 54 modules
you get better at your job and you
the career.
that are updated frequently to
learn every day,” Washington said.
“Corrections is a family,” Courtney
remain in line with changes to
“We are making an investment in
said, following the November
policy, procedure and the law.
you in this academy and in your
graduation ceremony where he
Recruits learn about facility
training. The training we offer is
received the Jack L. Budd Award
security, disturbance control, over
second to none.”
for excellence in the academy.
familiarization, and managing
New corrections officers also must “I’ve really liked the camaraderie
and de-escalating the behavior of
learn to work among a diverse
between the officers.”
New officer earns lifesaving award
When a classmate began choking, Corrections Officer Neil
Hegle didn’t hesitate to act to help him.
While at the officer training academy
on Oct. 9, Hegle noticed a fellow
recruit who appeared to be choking
and in distress. After confirming he
was choking, Hegle administered
several abdominal thrusts, which
dislodged the obstruction and allowed
his classmate to breathe freely again.
The actions earned Hegle, a new officer
Neil Hegle
at St. Louis Correctional Facility, the
department’s Lifesaving Award.
Bouchard Class Award Winners
The following officers in the Barabara Bouchard
Training Class earned awards for academic
achievement, professionalism and personal
conduct:
• Corrections Officer Spencer Proefrock —
Josephine B. McCallum Award
• Corrections Officer James Courtney —Jack L.
Budd Award
• Corrections Officer Jonathon Archambeau —
Academic Achievement Award
Congratulations to the department’s graduates
and award winners on their accomplishments.
Corrections Connection
“A bigger calling”
November 2015
5
2015 State Employees
Charitable Campaign
Kent County parole agent reflects on 23 years of coaching a success for MDOC
H
e is known simply as “coach.”
Students, parents and Grand
Rapids area residents all refer to Kent
County Parole Agent Charles Ruffin
by that moniker and after 23 years of
leading high school football teams,
it’s not hard to see why.
“Everyone
in the
community
calls me
coach,”
said Ruffin,
who retired
from
coaching
football this
year after a
21-season
run at
Ottawa
Agent Charles Ruffin Hills High
School in
Grand Rapids.
Ruffin, who was named Kent County
Coach of the Year in 2013, played for
Ottawa Hills as a high school student
and went on to Western Michigan
University where he was a wide
receiver. After graduation, his high
school football coach asked him if he
would be interested in returning to
help guide the team.
“I fell in love with it at that point,”
said Ruffin, who helped coach
other Grand Rapids Public Schools
teams for two years before joining
Ottawa Hills. “It was a chance to stay
involved with football.”
But with each season he coached, his
reasons for sticking with the sport
evolved. What started as a way to
stay connected to football became a
mission to help young men succeed.
“Somewhere along the way, I felt like
it became a bigger calling to help
these young men and be a positive
mentor in their life,” Ruffin said.
Ruffin learned to recognize when
his players were struggling. Some
were homeless, couldn’t afford their
equipment or came from homes
without enough food on the table.
He made it a priority to help them
both on and off the field and
surrounded himself with coaching
staff who were committed to
supporting players in the same
way. He and his coaching staff also
cultivated relationships with area
organizations that would donate
jerseys and equipment to athletes in
need.
Ruffin found that some of his players
just needed someone to help boost
their confidence.
“One of the big things was being able
to help someone else achieve their
potential,” Ruffin said. “Just giving a
kid a pat on the back and saying ‘you
could do it,’ really encouraged them.”
The same principles apply to the
parolees he supervises and Ruffin
said he notices a change in their
attitude when he expresses that he
believes in them.
He said the biggest reward has been
seeing players grow and go on to lead
successful careers as lawyers, school
administrators and professional
athletes.
He still keeps
Click here for a
in touch
WOOD TV story
with some of about Agent Ruffin’s
his players,
final season coaching
including
New York Jets
linebacker David Harris.
“I always tell the kids the one thing
I really want from them is I want to
see that they are doing well,” he said.
“That’s my biggest accomplishment
and what fills my heart the most is to
see my boys doing well.”
Ruffin said he did not expect his
retirement to draw much attention,
but he has been overwhelmed by
the outpouring of support from the
community. Parents and former
players have reached out to him to
thank him for his guidance.
Though he is retiring, Ruffin suspects
he will never shake the “coach” title.
It has become a part of his identity,
especially around Ottawa Hills.
“People will probably always call me
coach,” Ruffin said. “I do like it. It’s
something I’m proud of.”
The Michigan Department
of Corrections has
remained one of the biggest
contributors to the State
Employees Charitable
Campaign, helping a variety
of community organizations
obtain funding for those in
need.
Department staff pledged
$11,149 in new payroll
contributions during the
2015-16 campaign. Almost
800 MDOC employees
give through payroll
contributions, which is
expected to generate more
than $94,000 in the next year.
This year’s campaign, which
ran from Sept. 14 to Oct.
16, raised $778,730 overall
for the 1,200 participating
charitable organizations.
Payroll deductions begin the
first pay day in January.
More information on the
State Employees Charitable
Campaign is available at
www.misecc.org.
Season of Giving
Michigan Department
of Corrections staff are
extraordinarily giving.
Whether it is raising money
to help the family of a
colleague or volunteering to
assist a community group,
we want to hear about all the
ways you, your facilities and
offices are giving back this
holiday season for a story in
the December edition.
Send details on your
charitable efforts to Holly
Kramer at KramerH@
michigan.gov by Dec. 4.
Corrections Connection
New “Field Days” podcast highlights agent
achievements, field operations initiatives
November 2015
Around the
MDOC
O
ne agent described what drew
her to criminal justice and
work with the department. Another
MDOC employee discussed her battle
with cancer.
Both were featured on a new podcast
that spotlights Field Operations
Staff attend Midwest Gang
Investigator’s Conference
New virtual welding simulator to
help inmates build vocational skills
Flint parole agent
participates in Recovery
Walk and Rally
Days podcast with Greg Straub,
administrative assistant to Deputy
Director Russ Marlan. “We want to
take the opportunity to highlight the
good work our staff is doing.”
Guests on the podcast have included
embedded agent Erin DeLoof, Parole
Board member Sandy
Wilson and agents
Aaron Dungy and Lisa
Hendricks.
Nagy and Straub hope
the podcast appeals
to broad audience
across the department
and Field Operations
Administration.
“It allows you to get to
know people,” Straub
said. “There are so many
Greg Straub and Noah Nagy speak with embedded agent
positive things going on
Erin DeLoof for the first Field Days Podcast.
right now in FOA.”
Administration staff and details the
Click on
work they do.
the icon on
“The whole idea is to get a message
the right
out using technology to spotlight
to listen
staff,” said Parole Board Manager
to the
Noah Nagy, who co-hosts the Field
podcast.
W
elding training at Muskegon
simulators for training.
and Kinross correctional
Richard A. Handlon Correctional
facilities is going high-tech.
Facility is expected to add a virtual
The training programs at each facility welding simulator soon for its welding
training program.
are now using a virtual welding
simulator to enhance learning
for participating inmates.
The machines are safer to
use and help the department
conserve resources as students
do not need to work with metal.
Students have also progressed
40 percent faster by using the
machine.
Muskegon and Kinross
currently have 30 students each
participating in the program
Muskegon Correctional Facility Instructor Patrick Jones
and using the virtual welding
provides guidance on the new virtual welding simulator.
6
MDOC parole and probation
agents and Emergency
Management Section staff from
across the state learned about
issues related to gangs during the
first Midwest Gang Investigator’s
Conference in Mt. Pleasant.
Law enforcement officers
and corrections officers from
across the Midwest and Canada
attended the conference, which
covered topics such as human
trafficking, expert witness
testimony, prosecuting gang
cases and interviewing gang
members.
Participants from the MDOC
included Parole Agents Steve
Rechsteiner, Brian Teske, Jennifer
Walsh, Stephanie Vink, Kathy
Vanhouten, Heidi McMurphy,
Guadalupe Olivarez, and Kyle
Forrest, as well as Emergency
Management Manager Brent
Travelbee, and Intelligence
Analysts Todd Bechler, Larry
Brown, CJ Carlson, and Silke
Harmon.
Flint Parole and Probation
Supervisor David Toner was
among 200 people to participate
in the first Flint Recovery Walk
and Rally in September.
The non-competitive 5K
walk began at New Path’s
transitional home and featured
guest speakers including
Congressman Dan Kildee, along
with other local leaders who
discussed community issues
with addiction. Participants at
the event, which was organized
by The Serenity House of Flint,
included individuals in recovery
from addiction to drugs and
alcohol, as well as treatment
professionals, elected officials
and other community members.
Corrections Connection
November 2015
7
Families, community leaders offered a look inside
Kinross Correctional Facility during open house event
I
t had been six years since MDOC employee
classrooms, the control center and food service.
Michael Cope had seen the inside of the former
Instructors and other facility staff also described
Hiawatha Correctional Facility.
their work for open house attendees.
When he had the chance to take another look in
The facility opened and began accepting prisoners on
October, it was just as he remembered. He even
Oct. 19.
found his name marking the office he used as an
Reactivating the facility is expected to help the
ARUS at the facility, though it was obscured by a
department save $4.1 million a year.
fresh coat of paint.
“It looks fantastic,” said Cope, who worked
at Hiawatha from 1990, until 2009 when the
facility was deactivated. “It has always been in
good shape.”
Members of the Kincheloe-area community
and relatives of MDOC staff had an
opportunity to take a unique look inside
Hiawatha, which has become the new Kinross
Correctional Facility, before prisoners
transferred there.
About 400 people, including family members,
and local government officials toured the
facility as part of an open house event on Oct.
16. State Rep. Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, also
A group of local government officials tour Kinross Correctional
visited the prison for the open house.
Facility as part of the open house event in October.
Tour destinations included housing units,
First Community Resource Fair at Detroit Reentry
Center connects prisoners with aid prior to release
A
bout 140 prisoners learned about services and
resources that could help them following their
release from prison during the Detroit Reentry
Center’s first Community Resource Fair.
The day-long event in October included 16 state
and local agencies including Friend of the Court,
Goodwill Industries, Detroit Training Center
and the Network for Returning Citizens, and was
organized in collaboration with the MDOC’s
Reentry Services.
“We hope it gives them a better connection to
community resources,” said Prisoner Reentry
Specialist Janella Robinson. “They’ll know where
to go to resolve issues and they’ll know where to
go for training.”
Keith Bennett, of Goodwill Industries of Greater
Detroit, said he wanted to help show prisoners
there were resources that could help them after
release so they could avoid a lifestyle that could
lead to incarceration.
“It’s a great event and an excellent concept,”
A prisoner at Detroit Reentry Center listens as Goodwill Industries
Bennett said.
explains the services and resources they offer.
Corrections Connection
November 2015
Saluting those who serve
8
MDOC recognizes military veterans during month of November
W
ith more than 2,000 military veterans who work for the MDOC, the department has many heroes to
salute this month as we honor those who fought for our country.
In her address to new corrections officers
during the academy graduation earlier
this month, Director Heidi Washington
highlighted the department’s veterans who
continue to work hard to protect the state’s
citizens following their military service.
Many others continue their military service in
addition to working for the MDOC, and have
deployed overseas.
The department is grateful for the service of all
of our veterans and is always glad to welcome
our servicemen and servicewomen home.
To see some ways the department has honored
our veterans this month, visit our Facebook
page and follow us on Twitter.
Fit4Life Program offers inmates Ed Vallad named new MDOC
Physical Plant administrator
resources to improve health
A
ging inmates at Macomb Correctional Facility
will receive some help staying healthy through a
new program starting Nov. 16.
The Fit 4 Life program is designed for inmates
55 years old and older and promotes physical
health and wellness rehabilitation. It is expected to
enhance well-being for older prisoners and support
preventative health measures, which can help halt or
reverse many debilitating and costly illnesses.
To participate, level II inmates must be enrolled as a
chronic care clinic patient and medically cleared to
participate.
Nursing staff will provide education on medications
and disease processes and will monitor prisoners’
progress toward fitness goals. Mental health staff will
also provide guided relaxation and healthy coping
skills instruction, and a dietitian will provide dietary
education. Screened inmate trainers will help guide
participants
during lowimpact fitness
classes.
The hour-long
classes will be
held three days
a week for six
months.
E
d Vallad will serve as the next Physical Plant
Division administrator for the MDOC,
following the retirement of Dave Flack.
Vallad joined the department in 1986 as an
electrician at Michigan Reformatory.
He went on to serve as a
building trades supervisor at
Ionia Correctional Facility,
physical plant superintendent,
and building construction
specialist for the department,
before becoming the
Physical Plant Division’s state
Dave Flack
administrative manager in 2012.
Before joining the MDOC,
Vallad worked as an electrical and mechanical
maintenance supervisor.
During the Warden’s Meeting in October, Flack
received a standing ovation for his 32 years of
service to the state. Flack retired Nov. 1.
He was a valuable resource to the MDOC, which
often relied on his expertise.
Have an idea for a story you’d like to see in the
Corrections Connection about department staff or
initiatives?
Contact Holly Kramer at [email protected],
and it could be featured in a future edition.
Corrections Connection
The Extra Mile
November 2015
9
MDOC staff go beyond the call of duty to help others
On the evening of January 15, Corrections Officer
Matthew Bruesch passed by a unit at Earnest C.
Brooks Correctional Facility and noticed a prisoner
lying on the floor. As he checked on the prisoner,
Bruesch found he was unresponsive, not breathing
and had a syringe in his hand. He immediately called
for medical assistance and Corrections Officers David
Kennedy and William Parsons responded to assist with
CPR on the prisoner as Corrections
Officer Kyle Jacobson arrived with a
defibrillator.
After about two cycles of CPR from
Kennedy and Parsons, the prisoner
began breathing and showing signs of
circulation.
Health care continued to monitor
the prisoner as he was stabilized and
transported to the hospital.
The prisoner recovered quickly and
was returned to the facility several
hours later, expressing his gratitude
Corrections Officers Kyle Jacobson, Matthew Bruesch, William Parsons and to the officers, who earned the
department’s Lifesaving Award for
David Kennedy with MDOC Director Heidi Washington.
their efforts to help him.
On May 23 the Tekonsha Fire
Department was dispatched to an
accident on U.S. 27 in Tekonsha
Township that involved a collision
between a car and a motorcycle.
When first responders from the
department arrived, they found
Michael Farmer, an MDOC training
specialist, diligently assisting a critically
injured accident victim. Farmer already
evaluated the accident victim and helped
clear their airway. He also repositioned
the victim’s arm to re-establish blood
flow and circulation that had been cut
off.
The victim had a fractured arm and
skull, a collapsed lung and a broken
leg, but still gave a thumbs up on the
helicopter ride to the hospital and was
able to talk to the crew. Tekonsha Fire
Department officials said Farmer, who
received the MDOC’s Lifesaving Award
for his actions, was instrumental in
Michael Farmer and MDOC
helping to save the woman’s life.
Director Heidi Washington
As he was driving home from work on May 4, Larry
Wenglikowski, an ARUS at Richard A. Handlon
Correctional Facility, was struck by another vehicle
and his car rolled several times before it stopped,
tipped on its side. Chad Battle, an ARUS at Bellamy
Creek Correctional Facility and Bob Fay, a nowretired Bellamy Creek Correctional
Facility ARUS, were the first to arrive
at the accident and rushed to help
Wenglikowski out of the vehicle, while
holding it in place to prevent it from
rolling over.
Wenglikowski sustained severe injuries
in the accident, but was grateful for
the assistance of Battle and Fay, who
received the MDOC’s Citizenship
Pictured left to right: Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility Warden Dewayne Burton and Deputy
Warden Mindy Braman, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility Warden Tony Trierweiler, Deputy Director Award for their actions.
Ken McKee, Bellamy Creek ARUS Chad Battle, Handlon ARUS Larry Wenglikowski, Director Heidi
Washington, Assistant Deputy Director Bruce Curtis, and Bellamy Creek Deputy Warden Matt Macauley
Continued on Page 9
Corrections Connection
November 2015
The Extra Mile continued...
Working within prison walls didn’t
prevent Parnall Correctional Facility
Inspector Violet Stone from taking
action to help guard two young boys
from abuse at their home.
In January, a Children’s Protective
Services employee contacted Stone
for assistance with a case of alleged
child abuse that involved an inmate.
Stone spent more than 40 hours
monitoring phone calls and reading
through JPay emails between the
inmate and the mother of two young
MDOC Director Heidi Washington
and Richard Henrizi
boys who were suspected to be
subjected to abuse at home.
Her review uncovered information
that confirmed the boys were being
harmed and Children’s Protective
Services removed them from the
home and provided them with a safe
place to live. Felony charges were
also filed against the prisoner.
Her efforts to help the boys were
recognized with a thank you letter
from Children’s Protective Services
and the MDOC’s Citizenship Award.
Years of training and experience
helped Corrections Officer Richard
Henrizi provide needed first aid to
a victim of a car accident.
Henrizi was on his way to work
at G. Robert Cotton Correctional
Facility in April when he
encountered a car accident.
As he stopped to assist, bystanders
directed his attention to a woman
who was trapped inside her vehicle,
which was flipped on its side and
pinned against a tree.
Henrizi did not hesitate to help
Inspector Violet Stone and MDOC
Director Heidi Washington
and climbed on top of the vehicle
to access the driver’s side door and
provide reassurance and first aid to
the trapped victim.
He promised her he would not
leave until she was safely out of the
vehicle and he helped shield her
from debris as firefighters removed
the windshield to free her.
Henrizi, who earned the
department’s Citizenship Award
for assisting the accident victim,
credited his training for his quick
response.
Snapshots
A look at life around the MDOC
Woodland Center Correctional Facility staff show off their
college sports allegiance before the University of Michigan and
Michigan State University football game.
Parole staff hand out candy during the second annual
HalloFest at Benton Harbor High School.
10
Corrections Connection
November 2015
11
Pugsley Correctional Facility staff show off
shooting skills in first-ever contest
P
ugsley Correctional Facility held its first
“Founder’s Cup” competitive pistol shoot.
About 13 competitors participated in the event,
MDOC Honor
Guard holds
annual holiday
fundraising
celebration
Nearly 100 Michigan
Department of Corrections
employees have served
at funeral details, special
ceremonies and parades
throughout the United States
and Canada as members of
the MDOC Honor Guard
since it was formed in 1987.
All staff are invited to attend
this 9th annual fundraising
celebration, with proceeds
going to support Honor
Guard operations and the
group’s commitment to honor
fallen correctional and law
enforcement personnel at the
state and national level.
including staff from Oaks Correctional Facility and
the Benzie County Sheriff ’s Department, in addition
to Pugsley employees.
Staff from Oaks Correctional Facility took
first place in the team competition, while
Benzie County Sheriff personnel took second
and Pugsley took third.
Deanne Holden, from Oaks Correctional
Facility, earned top honors in the individual
open portion of the event, and Kurt Roberge,
of Pugsley Correctional Facility took
first place in the individual service class
competition.
The competition helped raise almost $500 for
The Rock, an after-school youth program.
Next year’s event is expected to be held on
Oct. 8.
Corrections Connection
With Thanks
November 2015
Groups grateful for West Shoreline Correctional Facility food donations,
Macomb Correctional Facility birdhouses
If you have letters of thanks that you would like to share, send them
to Holly Kramer at [email protected].
Corrections Quiz
October Quiz Recap
Question: Name this place:
How many members make
up the Parole Board?
*Bonus points if you can name
them.
Send your answer to Holly Kramer at KramerH@
michigan.gov. The first person to answer correctly
will receive a congratulatory shout out on MDOC social
media, and the answer and winner will be published
in the next edition of the newsletter.
Answer: Michigan Reformatory
Congratulations to Bellamy Creek Correctional
Facility ARUS Chad Battle and Physical Plant Division
Administrator Ed Vallad for being the first to correctly
answer the October Quiz question.
12
Corrections Connection
November 2015
13
Head to Hockeytown to support law enforcement,
Special Olympics with the Detroit Red Wings
MDOC employees can cheer on the Red Wings
while raising money for good causes.
Special ticket packages and group tickets are
available now for two great events at Joe Louis
Arena in Detroit.
Ticket packages for both games include a
commemorative two-sided challenge coin.
Groups of 35 or more will receive an autographed
Henrik Zetterberg stick for the group leader.
To purchase tickets go to www.detroitredwings.
com/torchrun.
Group sales can be directed to Jamie Clark at jamie.
[email protected] or (313) 471-7138. Groups
of 10 or more can call Clark directly to choose seats.
• 5th Annual Law Enforcement
Appreciation Night on Thursday, Dec. 3.
The Red Wings play the Arizona Coyotes
at 7:30 p.m. The first 500 ticket purchasers
will have an opportunity to take a postgame shot on the net following the game.
Ticket packages start at $35, and $10
in proceeds will go to the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Use
the promo code: law when purchasing
tickets for the game.
• Law Enforcement Torch Run Night on
Monday, Feb. 8. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
for the Red Wings game against the Florida
Panthers. Tickets are $35 for rows 13-21
and $50 for rows 5-12, with $10 in proceeds
from ticket sales going to Special Olympics
Michigan and Special Olympics Ontario.
The first 5,000 fans to arrive at the game will
recieve a Detroit Red Wings luggage tag.
Use the promo code: LETR when purchasing
tickets.
Corrections in the News
Seen on Twitter...
Top Corrections Officers earn awards — Ionia
Sentinel-Standard
Gus Harrison Correctional Facility staff strives
to be the best — Adrain Daily Telegram
State nears goal of hiring 1,000 corrections
officers — The Detroit News
Prison hospice program provides end-of-life
care for inmates — Michigan Radio
Viewer tip helps lead to featured fugitive arrest
in Detroit — FOX 17
Public gets inside glimpse of new Kinross
Correctional Facility — St. Ignace News
See inside Michigan prison’s $9M renovation
— Grand Rapids Press
Spread the word about some of the great
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Corrections Connection
November 2015
September New Hires
Abbott, Jedidiah
Adkins, Jennifer
Al-Ani, Mustafa Alber, Lindsey Allen, Eric
Allen, Wayne
Archambeau, Jonathon Ash, Michael Baldini, Carl Baldwin, Adam Baranski, Matthew Barber, Marlon Beechler, Amber Beeler, Devin
Bennett, Travis Berkley, Jade Billings, Tatiana
Blake, Anthony
Blatt, Robert Blount, Jane Boerema, Aaron Bonesteel, Sean Bouwma, Rachael Bradley, Tyler Brickner, Kelly Brown, Logan Bryce, Austin Bryd, Jelicho Burke, Emily Burns, Katherine Buskard, Brandon Byers, Codey Campbell, Joseph Capello, Peter Carpenter, Brian Childers, Marquis Chuhran, Steven Clay, Walter Coburn, Nathan Cole, Pamela Colon, Giovanny Cooper, Damien Cooper, Marc Cooper, Robert Courtney, James Crooms, Jeremiah Cummings, Collin Dameron, Michael Daniels, Brian Davis, Eric Davis, James Davis, Shawn Dell, William Deschamps, Christopher Dewey, Clayton Donahue, Matthew Dondineau, Rocky Draves, Kevin Drummer, Charles Dudley, Maria Duke, Mason Edmonson, Daniel Ehred, Garret Ellsworth, Adam Ellsworth, Terran
Exceus, Adelene Fabian-Leco, Jose 14
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Word Processing Assistant, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Ojibway Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Newberry Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Marquette Branch Prison
Corrections Officer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Alger Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Marquette Branch Prison
Corrections Officer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Licensed Practical Nurse, Pugsley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Oaks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
General Office Assistant, Macomb Correctional Facility
Library Technician, Parnall Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Macomb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Psychologist, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Macomb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Parole/Probation Officer, Alpena County Parole and Probation Office
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Pugsley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Alger Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Connection
November 2015
September New Hires
Falbe, James Farmer-Price, Derrick Felton, Sarah Ferris, Robert Figueroa-Zuniga, Salvador Flaugher, Ashley Fountain, Jordynn Fox-Jones, Karen Franklin, Michael Frantti, Logan Gallinari, Lisa Gallinati, Karleigh Garrett, Danyale Giles, Cody Gladding, Alexis Gmitter, Kassandra Gochett, Felicia Gonwicha, William Goodrich, Matthew Green, Michaela Grogins, Tomiko Gurley, Jermika Haan, Brooke Haataja, Cody Haman, Nicholas Harder, Jonathon Harris, Jeffrey Hartung, Matthew Hava, Kristopher Hazen, Gary Heater, James Hegle, Neil Heskett, Michael Hill, Benjamin Hingston, Steven Hix, Nathan Holczman, Brandon Hookenson, Kenneth Horvath, Andrew Hungerford, Thomas Ibe, Ignatius Ibrahim, Ahmed Int-Hout, David Jackson, Cassaundra Jackson, David Jackson, Moreno Jenkins, Nicole Jennett, Peter Johnson, Earnest Johnson, Jeffrey Jones, Katina Jones, Nathan Kaster, Linda Kauffman, Taylor Keyes, Mike Kimmel, Brett Kirklin, Thomas Kissel, Theodore Klein, Joshua Knoerr, Casey Kubinski, Kyle Kurtz, Jaimie Laing, Dion Lamont, Michael Lanctot, Nicholas Landis, Kristopher Laponsie, Garrett Laponsie, James Laskowski, Chandler 15
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Detroit Detention Center
Corrections Officer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Maintenance Mechanic, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Detroit Reentry Center
Dental Aide, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Human Resources Analyst, Corrections Central Office
Corrections Officer, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Marquette Branch Prison
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Ionia Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correcitonal Facility
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Newberry Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Officer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Ojibway Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Pugsley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Officer, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Newberry Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Word Processing Assistant, St. Clair County Probation Office
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Word Processing Assistant, Grand Traverse County Parole and Probation Office
Corrections Officer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Connection
Lastra, Matthew Latuszek, Maia Lawlor, Trevor Leathers, Adam Lee, Alison Legato, Gina Levitski, Ryanna Lewis, Kierra Livermore, Larry MacArthur, Adam Magnuson, Ryan Majeski, Kenneth Maki, Erika Marshall, Stephanie Marta, Adam Martinez, Cesar Masters, Ryan Matthews, Theodore Mattis, Arnold McBryde, Timothy McCord, Rebecca McCoy, Kandice McCoy, Kristina McCurdy, Jessica McElfresh, Andrew
McElwee, Quatica McLain, Andrew Meijer, Nathaniel Meyers, Zachary Mikel, Nathan Miller, Shane Miller, Daniel Miner, Douglas Moe, Jeremy Mohead, Jeannah Mohon, Alexander Montgomery, Porshia Moore, Angela Moore, Rozetta Morrissett, Rachel Moseley, Mark Moss, Tyler Myles, Alondra Newman, Sean Nichols, Renee Nowak, Britney Odunuga, Lawrence O’Keeffee, Aaron Okubanjo, Yewande Olds, Michelle Oley, Karissa Oliver, Michael O’Neal, Jason O’Neill, Richard Ormsby, Kyle Ostafin, Nicolle Osterman, Nichole Otten, Travis Owens, Andrea Paakola, Tyler Page, Brandon Pallottini, Lucas Parks, Adam Patterson, Jason Patterson, Patrick Pavlowski, Benjamin Pilmore, Ross Pozolo, David Prince, Kevin Proefrock, Spencer November 2015
September New Hires
16
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Secretary, Otsego County Parole and Probation Office
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Newberry Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Secretary, Newberry Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Oaks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Newberry Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Licensed Practical Nurse, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Oaks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Parole/Probation Agent, St. Joseph County Field Office
Corrections Officer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Marquette Branch Prison
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Ojibway Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Ionia Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Pugsley Correctional Facility
Corrections Field Service Assistant, Ingham County Parole Office
Corrections Officer, Alger Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Macomb Correctional Facility
Word Processing Assistant, Detroit Reentry Center
Word Processing Assistant, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Muskegon Correctional Facility
Clinical Social Worker, Macomb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Oaks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Connection
November 2015
September New Hires
Pucel, Jonnathon Ramirez, Amanda Raven, Jasmaan Ream, Joe Reames, Bruce Reigler, Randall Rhinard, Tonya Richardson, Jacob Ripley, Tara Rivard-Babisch, Caroline Rose, Dustin Sanders, Mason Scott, Tracy Scully, Mason Semasky, Dale Shattuck, Kyle Shattuck, Seth Shepard, David Shilling, Jeremiah Simpson, Aaron Sims, Alexis Singerling, Nicholas Skidmore, Kerri Skotzke, Edward Smith, Tara Smith, Tyler Snyder, Eric Sohlden, Christopher Solomon, John Spear, Corinne Stahl, Scott Starks, Shana Steede, Bonnie Stewart, Shawn Takala, Nicholas Tankersley, Shavonne Tembreull, James Tepe, Alan Teuscher, Carl Thomas, Darlisa Thomas, Shalanda Tormanen, Derek Trujillo, Constance Vandenbosch, Temitope Waisanen, Chantel Watkins, Brittany Watkins, Cody Watson, Bruce Webber, Joseph Webster, Bianca Webster, Larry Welch, Charles Welford, Deidre Wells, Jameria Wells, Robert Wener, Aaron Wernecke, Richard Whitford, Marissa Wiegel, Joshua Wiersma, Zachary Wilcox, Cassandra Williamson, Tony Wollan, Ryan Yung, Gary Zaha, Jennifer Zavala, Maria Zikmund, Tiffany Zimmerman, Jean Zurawskyj, Zachary 17
Corrections Officer, Marquette Branch Prison
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Plumber, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Departmental Technician, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Macomb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Alger Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Ionia Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Macomb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Pugsley Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Marquette Branch Prison
Licensed Practical Nurse, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Newberry Correctional Facility
Licensed Practical Nurse, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Thumb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Officer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Pugsley Correctional Facility
Clinical Social Worker, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Pugsley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Alger Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Secretary, Macomb Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Ionia Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Alger Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Secretary, Iosco County Parole and Probation Office
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Muskegon Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Macomb Correctional Facility
Psychologist, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Officer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Officer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Connection
November 2015
September Retirements
Alexander, Robert G. Blankinship, John D. Boatright, Terry W. Bugaski, Bobby Carris, Haldane L. Cundari, Joseph R. Daniel, Tony J. Dick, Michele Dollison, Bette E. Doran, John J. Doremire, Thane D. Dunec, Clifford A. Goetz, Darryl J. Horrison, LouAnn M. Jorae, Russell V. Kalanquin, Mark L. Keith, David W. Komperda, Kerry N. Luna, Scott D. MacArthur, Duncan S. Madison, Dallas McKechnie, Cheri E. Meyers, Ellen Morin, Anne M. Perron, Michael Pline, Scott Roback, Matthew Roth, Debbie L. Sahl, John J. Sanders, Robin L. Schultz, Walter E. Simon, Lyle E. Stasewich, Daniel J. Strauss, Victoria L. Tellas, Cheryl L. Tompkins, Donald A. Warren, Patricia Waterman, Taba Weaver, Richard C. Yankovich, James W. Young, James A. Zerbst, Ronald P. 18
Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Newberry Correctional Facility
Thumb Correctional Facility
Woodland Center Correctional Facility
G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Kinross Correctional Facility
Kent County Probation
G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Detroit Reentry Center
Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Pugsley Correctional Facility
Saginaw Correctional Facility
Kinross Correctional Facility
Parnall Correctional Facility
Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Carson City Correctional Facility
St. Louis Correctional Facility
Newberry Correctional Facility
Detroit Reentry Center
Chippewa Correctional Facility
Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Baraga Correctional Facility
Ojibway Correctional Facility
Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Pugsley Correctional Facility
Jackson Human Resources Office
Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Lakeland Correctional Facility
Carson City Correctional Facility
Alger Correctional Facility
G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Chippewa Correctional Facility
Lakeland Correctional Facility
Ottawa County Parole and Probation
Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Alger Correctional Facility
Baraga Correctional Facility
Newberry Correctional Facility
Pugsley Correctional Facility