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| Department News 2010 Back to Department News |
The Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater's Institution/Community Work Crew (ICWC) is pictured removing snow from the Stillwater Lift Bridge in mid-December. ICWC crews are made up of carefully-screened minimum-security offenders. For more information, click here. |
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Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian has announced her retirement from public service after a 45-year career in local and state corrections. She has served as corrections commissioner since January 20, 2003. For more information, click here. |
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In October, several DOC staff were honored by the Minnesota Corrections Association (MCA). A full list of awardees is available on the MCA website.
Joe Peterson, career agent - Bemidji district, Professional Achievement-Field Services Award for establishing rapport with offenders, families, and coworkers.
Chris Esty, program director - MCF-Lino Lakes, Professional Achievement-Correctional Facility Award for identifying best solutions to offender issues and workplace problems.
Mike Downey, Albert Lea district supervisor, Board of Directors Award for exemplary service to MCA members.
The Itasca County Wellness Court, President’s Award for creativity, resourcefulness, effectiveness, and innovation. Chad Christofferson, DOC career agent, works closely with the program and accepted the award with Abby Kuschel, wellness court director.
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In September, Department of Corrections' staff were involved in a mock-hostage training. Participants included the department's Special Operations Response Teams, Special Operations Groups, Crisis Negotiator Teams, and Marksman/Observer Teams. The training prepares the teams to respond to dangerous situations within the facilities. |
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 In September, the Department of Corrections Warehouse Supply Team received a 2010 Governor’s Lean Productivity and Efficiency Improvement Award. The team was formed to reduce waste, increase efficiencies, and improve distribution of warehouse products at Minnesota correctional facilities. After reviewing the products and supplies purchased, the internal ordering process, and the practices of order filling, the team was able to recommend changes that have resulted in more than $230,000 in savings for the department. An additional 970 hours of staff time will be saved annually.
The Victim Notification Kaizen Team was also recognized as a finalist for the award. The group worked to increase the accuracy and timeliness of information to victims. |
Applications for promotion to the Corrections Agent, Career class will be accepted October 1 – October 29, 2010. Interested employees should submit applications to their direct supervisors. For more information on the requirements and application process, click here. Contact Rena Patterson in Field Services, 507-457-6477, or Kelly Alexander in Human Resources, 651-361-7318, for more information. |
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Department of Corrections staff participated in National Night Out and Nite to Unite events on August 3, 2010. These community events strengthen neighborhood relationships with law enforcement and promote crime prevention efforts.
In Lakeside Park, near the MCF-Stillwater, Officer Shane Warnke demonstrated handcuffing techniques to event participants. On the table behind him are display cases filled with "shanks" found in prison cells.
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Susan Suemnick-Brueggemeier, who supervises an adult felony caseload in McLeod County, has been named the Department of Corrections 2010 Agent of the Year. Her ability to effectively collaborate with community members and correctional professionals has been an asset to the department, offenders, and her community. For more information, click here.
The Agent of the Year award is presented annually in conjunction with Probation and Parole Week, this year July 18-24. |
State and county Sentencing to Service (STS) crews immediately dispatched throughout Minnesota after tornados struck on June 17. Crews from the districts of Mankato, Albert Lea, Detroit Lakes and Grand Rapids cleared trees and debris from Freeborn, Faribault and Wadena counties. STS is a sentencing alternative that puts carefully selected offenders to work on community service projects. |
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 The Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Faribault Workforce Development Group and Lieutenant Kris Titus, MCF-Red Wing, were recently awarded the department’s Prism Awards. The awards recognize an employee and group of employees who go above and beyond the scope of their job duties to promote diversity. More information about this year’s recipients can be found in the June issue of Hotline.
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In May, the Restorative Justice Committee at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Faribault made donations to Minnesota Safe & Sober Drivers and Parents of Murdered Children. Each organization received $2,500. The funds were collected through offender fundraising efforts at the facility. All of the money was donated by offenders; no facility funds were used. |
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Four Minnesota prisons were recognized with Governor's Safety Awards in May for superior performance in workplace safety and health. The Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Faribault received an Outstanding Achievement Award. The Lino Lakes and Togo facilities received Meritorious Achievement Awards. The MCF-Willow River/Moose Lake earned two Meritorious Achievement Awards, one for each site. More information about the awards is available in the news releases posted on the Media/Department News page. |
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Department of Corrections (DOC) Fugitive Investigator Dave Schiebel, along with officers from the Hastings Police Department and Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, was presented the Medal of Honor by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association in April. Those recognized were part of the apprehension in December 2009 of an armed DOC fugitive who absconded from community supervision in a stolen vehicle. Despite the dangerous situation, officers were able to arrest the offender without serious officer or citizen injury. The Medal of Honor is presented for bravery, intelligence, and self-sacrifice. The deed for which the award is given must include a voluntary course of action involving the risk of life.
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On Monday, April 5, Lieutenant Elizabeth Guevara accepted a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Bayport on behalf of the Department of Corrections. During the weekend of March 20, offenders in the minimum-security unit at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater filled sandbags for the city while another group of supervised minimum-security offenders assisted in building a levy in the downtown area. Bayport Police Chief Laura Eastman presented the award, which recognized the “teamwork and effort displayed by all.”
Offenders assisted with flood mitigation efforts across Minnesota this spring. Sentencing to Service (STS) crews and crew leaders spent more than 1,900 hours on flood projects in March. STS crews worked in areas such as Bemidji, Moorhead, Montevideo, Delano, Maynard, and Inver Grove Heights. Institution/Community Work Crews also provided more than 250 hours of sandbagging assistance. |
Level 3 predatory offender Willie A. Johnson was apprehended in Chicago on March 17, 2010. For details, click here. |
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A Fulbright Fellow from Northern Ireland is visiting the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC). Tom McGonigle, an inspector with Criminal Justice Inspection (CJI), is spending February and March at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute. As part of the program, he is learning about the Minnesota criminal justice, civil commitment, and correctional systems, with an emphasis of how higher-risk offenders are handled within institutions and the community. McGonigle has visited several DOC facilities, observed revocation and discipline hearings, and met with transitions employees at the DOC and in the community. His experiences will help bring a wider international perspective on corrections practices and oversight to CJI. |
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This video provides information about Minnesota's community notification process. For other information about level 3 offenders, click here. |
In March, 2010 census forms will be delivered to Minnesota residents. The form includes 10 short questions such as name, age, date of birth, race, and household relationship. If the completed form is not mailed back, a census taker may follow up with the household. The census bureau will work with the DOC to count inmates in Minnesota state prisons. Inmates are counted as part of the community where they are incarcerated, not by their home communities. The census, which is required by the U.S. Constitution, has been taken every 10 years since 1790. The information gathered is used to determine representation in the U.S. Congress and allocate federal and state funding. More information about the census can be found at www.mn2010census.org. |
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Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian has appointed Becky Dooley to serve as warden of the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Willow River/Moose Lake, effective January 5, 2010. To read the news release, click here. |
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Contact Information
John Schadl
651/361-7229
john.schadl@state.mn.us
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2010 Agent of the Year Announced
Dave Schiebel Awarded Medal of Honor
