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Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian was awarded the Esther Tomljanovich Lifetime Achievement Award at the Third Annual Conference on Women Offenders held in St. Paul in September 2006. The award, established by the Advisory Task Force on Female Offenders, honors the lifelong commitment and advocacy of Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Esther Tomljanovich on behalf of women in the criminal justice system. Commissioner Fabian was recognized for four decades of work with juvenile and adult offenders, at the local and state levels.
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International Restorative Justice Week is November 12-18, 2006. Minnesota Department of Corrections' facilities and offices across the state will recognize the week with events involving staff, victim/survivors, communities, and offenders. This year's poster was created by an offender to illustrate the theme of Making Connections. Click on the poster to download a copy. For more information about restorative justice, click here. |
The Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP) boot camp saves taxpayer dollars and reduces recidivism, according to an in-depth outcome evaluation just released.
The report looked at all CIP offenders since the program began in 1992, one of the longest periods for such an evaluation. It compared CIP participants with a control group with similar criminal factors. For more information, click here.
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Paul Harris has been selected 2006 DOC Corrections Agent of the Year. Harris began his career in corrections in 1977 working with the Sheriff’s Youth Programs. He spent some time  as a social worker in Cottonwood County and in 1980 accepted a probation officer position with Watonwan County Court Services. He joined the DOC as a career corrections agent in 1991 when Watonwan County contracted with the state for probation services. He currently supervises a caseload of adult gross misdemeanants and misdemeanants along with supervising adult felons for the local drug court.
Harris enjoys tremendous respect from and works effectively with other agents and professionals in the criminal justice field. He is involved with statewide professional organizations and has served as vice president for the Minnesota Corrections Association. He is a past president of the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers, which presented him with the Al Reker Award.
Harris is also very active in his community, serving as a member of the City Council, the Economic Development Authority, Community Education Board, and Hospital Foundation Board. He is active in Sertoma (SERvice TO MAnkind) and his church. In his “spare time,” Harris is a beekeeper.
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Over 131,000 adults and juveniles were on probation in Minnesota on December 31, 2005. The Minnesota Probation Survey 2005 provides statewide summary data including gender, location, race, and ethnicity. Most serious offense type is also identified.
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Governor Tim Pawlenty has proclaimed May 7-13, 2006, as Correctional Officers Week in Minnesota. Correctional Officers work in federal, state, and local correctional facilities statewide. Click here for proclamation.
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The National Geographic Channel recently filmed Lockdown: Inside Maximum Security at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights. This program airs June 15 at 7 and 10 p.m., as well as June 25 at 4 p.m. Lockdown has two other installments: Gangland, filmed at Pelican Bay State Prison in California; and Predators Behind Bars, filmed at Lebanon Correctional Institution in Ohio. These programs also air several times in June - check the National Geographic Channel for additional air dates.
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In August 2003, the African American Employment Task Force (AAETF) began an examination of current policies and practices relating to employment. Membership included representatives of the St. Paul Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as well as staff of the DOC. This highly committed group has worked very hard, through some difficult issues, for the past three years. The report of the Task Force is now available. In response to the report, the DOC has issued a statement of commitment that includes changes in DOC policies and practices already implemented as a result of AAETF input as well as an implementation plan for recommendations contained in the AAETF report.
Special Report - African American Employment Task Force for the Minnesota Department of Corrections - February 2006
Department of Corrections' Statement of Commitment - April 2006
Department of Corrections' Implementation Plan - April 2006
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The Minnesota Department of Corrections recognized April 24-28, 2006, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a host of activities involving staff and offenders. For a recap, click here.
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About 30 Sentencing to Service workers from Central Minnesota correctional facilities fired up chain saws at Camp Ripley on Feb. 27, 2006,to cut firewood for families of deployed soldiers. This partnership combines community support and volunteerism to help Minnesota families in need.
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Contact Information
John Schadl
651/361-7229
john.schadl@state.mn.us
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