Corrections Connection
October/November 2020
Volume 32, Issue 6
Corrections Connection
October/November 2020 2
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
Corrections Connection is a publication of the
Oce of
Public Information and Communications
.
Story ideas, feedback and comments can
be submitted to Joelle Craddy at CraddyJ@
michigan.gov Like MDOC on Facebook or follow
us on Twitter.
The image on the cover was taken in Oscoda by
Kendra Burton, Records Oce Supervisor at Saginaw
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 Joelle Craddy at [email protected]v.
In this issue:
Honor Flight 3
Futures for Frontliners 5
Veterans Week 6
Service Spotlight 6
New Employee Spotlight 7
Remembering those lost 8
Emergency Management Awards 8
COMS 8
Employee Rec Day 9
Field Days Podcast 9
DRC Closure 10
Prisoner Mail 10
Video Visitation 11
Warden Winn Retires 12
Parole Board Chair Retires 12
Parole Board Chair and New Member 12
Agent Competes in Miss USA 13
Thank You to Sta 13
Corrections Quiz 14
Employee Store 14
Engagement Fund Update 14
Snapshots 15
Dogs of MDOC 15
Seen on Social 15
New Hires 16
Retirements 17
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
W
hat was meant to be both a gi and
an opportunity to give, became a
life-changing experience for Baraga
Correctional Facility Ocer Chuck Nagele.
Accompanying a Vietnam War veteran to memorials
in Washington, D.C. as a volunteer guardian for
Honor Flight – a program that honors veterans
transporting them to Washington, D.C. to reect at
their memorials, was a goal for Ocer Nagele.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force himself, Ocer
Nagele said it is so important to show gratitude to
those who have served, especially those who may
not have experienced that when they came home,
like many Vietnam War veterans.
In 2019, his goal to participate in Honor Flight came
to fruition with the help of his ancé who landed
him a spot as a volunteer guardian for two Vietnam
War veterans.
“I wanted to watch them get o a plane and get the
heroes’ welcome they should have received decades
ago,” he said.
Ocer Nagele is among MDOC several employees
who have volunteered to serve as guardians for
Honor Flight, or supported the organization
through donating. All those involved said giving and
serving as a guardian is a transformative experience
for both the volunteer and the veteran gied with
the trip.
In honor of Veterans Day this year, the department’s
Employee Engagement Fund donated $600 to
Honor Flight, with $200 going to each of the three
Michigan hubs. Department facilities and work
sites also continue to give to the program through
fundraisers.
Giving Back
Honor Flight is a national nonprot with
October/November 2020 3
With
Great
HONOR
MDOC employees
change the lives of
veterans through
giving, volunteering
with Honor Flight
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
hubs across the country that bring veterans to
Washington, D.C. so they can tour memorials
dedicated to them and their service to our country.
e selected veterans y for free, and they either
get to choose someone to go with them, or they are
assigned a volunteer guardian to accompany them.
Due to COVID-19 this year, Honor Flight had to
cancel all its missions to Washington, D.C. for the
health and safety of veterans and all involved. ey
are hoping to add additional trips in 2021 to give
more veterans their well-deserved Tour of Honor.
Scott Knauf, president of U.P. Honor Flight, the
nonprot’s hub in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, said
support from the MDOC started building several
years ago aer Alger Correctional Facility began
holding fundraisers and prisoners also decided to
donate. From there, other Upper Peninsula facilities
began to support the organization and compete with
one another in fundraising.
Knauf said the generosity from MDOC facilities
was huge for the organization, which
is completely supported by donations.
It makes a dierence too, because each
ight costs approximately $102,000.
“When facilities can support us, it’s
wonderful,” he said.
It’s especially wonderful for veterans who
get the trip of a lifetime thanks to the
support and generosity from the MDOC
and other donors, he said.
“When you think it is just a one day trip
– it really has a positive, life changing
eect on these veterans,” Knauf said.
‘An Incredible Opportunity’
Ray Closson, a corrections Ocer
at Parnall Correctional Facility said
aer learning about the mission
of Honor Flight, he wanted to be
involved and help give veterans
recognition for their service and
sacrice.
“I was excited about what an
incredible opportunity this was
to escort a World War II vet from
Kalamazoo through most of the
military monuments in Washington,
D.C.,” said Ocer Closson. “I had
uncles that served during WWII,
Korea and Vietnam, that have since
passed. I feel this is a way to pay
tribute to their memories and to
all the surviving veterans for their
sacrices for this country.”
Ocer Closson said the day was a
whirlwind of stops and greetings
from dignitaries like Bob and Elizabeth Dole, Justin
Amash, and many other representatives from the
state of Michigan and the nation’s capital. e most
somber moment was at Arlington Cemetery at the
Tomb of the Unknown soldier when U.S. Army
guards called out the veterans from Honor Flight,
and most stood up from their wheelchairs and
saluted back, he said.
“Every stop had special meaning for each military
group,” Ocer Closson said. “It was a very special
day, to see so many 80- and 90-year-old vets so alive
and excited.”
Ocer Nagele echoed that and said when he arrived
at the Vietnam War memorial with the veterans he
was accompanying, each one found dierent names
on the wall of those lost and had stories to tell about
them.
“It was an extremely emotional day,” he said. “You
October/November 2020 4
Pictured above and lower right: A World War II veteran who was accompanied by Corrections
Ocer Ray Closson on an Honor Flight mission, is greeted during his Tour of Honor.
Corrections Connection
October/November 2020 5
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
really got a sense for what they felt and what they
went through, both in combat and what they
experienced aer they came home from listening to
their stories.”
Lisa Mattson, deputy warden’s secretary at Alger
Correctional Facility, made the Honor Flight
trip in 2016 with her grandfather, a Korean War
veteran. Her grandfather had expressed that it was
the best day of his life, besides the day he married
her grandmother. She said she has not served as a
guardian since then, but would absolutely do it again.
“To see the veterans nally get the recognition they
deserve for their service to their country is priceless,”
she said.
Both Closson and Nagele said giving to Honor
Flight or volunteering as a guardian has even greater
returns.
“Other than the days my children were born, it was
one of the greatest days of my life to be able to take
two Vietnam vets as a guardian, and to
hear their stories and listen to what these
two amazing men had to talk about,”
Ocer Nagele said. “It was an amazing
experience. I think anyone who does it
would say they are very happy they did.”
All said they would make the trip again
without hesitation. And Ocer Nagele
had the chance to watch two Vietnam
veterans receive the jubilant heroes’
welcome they deserved.
“When they got o the plane in Escanaba,
it may have been only a few hundred
people, but it felt like a thousand,” he
said. “Everyone was cheering loudly,
and shaking their hands. eir kids and
grandkids were running out to them. It
was the culmination of an amazing and
emotional day.”
M
ichigan’s essential frontline workers may be eligible to return to school tuition-free under the Futures
for Frontliners program.
It is the nation’s rst program oering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provid-
ed essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home,
Stay Safe orders between April – June 2020.
Frontline workers are encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/
Frontliners to explore career opportunities, a list of local com-
munity colleges and get started on their application – even if
they don’t already have a high school diploma.
You can click here to watch a video about the program and
you can also hear more about this program in an upcoming
episode of the Field Days Podcast.
Applications for Futures for Frontliners
Program open through Dec. 31
Above: Veterans in Washington, D.C. as part of the Honor Flight mission Corrections
Ocer Chuck Nagele served as a guardian on.
Click here to check out this
past Field Days Podcast epi-
sode featuring Warden Cathy
Bauman and Patti Hubble,
then acting RUM at Alger
Correctional Facility as they
talk about fundraising for
U.P. Honor Flight.
You can learn more about Honor Flight,
how to donate and how to volunteer
as a guardian at honoright.org.
October/November 2020 6
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
Corrections Connection
Honoring Our Veterans
MDOC recognizes those who have
served during Veterans Week
Service Spotlight:
Region Manager
Will Rogers
F
or Field Operations Administration
Region Manager Will Rogers, mili-
tary service spanned family generations.
His grandfather, parents and extended
family have served in the U.S. Armed
Forces.
And the values his family upheld, like
dedication,
hard work
and staying
disciplined
led him to
the Army
Reserves.
“Without
a doubt,
when I was a
soldier I was
always proud
of that fact
and of being
able to serve
my country,”
he said.
He said
everyone,
regardless of
their race,
background
or political
inclinations
should be
thankful for
the sacric-
es military
personnel have made to protect the
freedoms we have today.
He said he recently read a quote that
stands out to him that service members
“wrote a blank check made payable
to the United States of America in the
amount of up to and including their
life.”
at stuck with him, and he said he
feels his work for the department is an
extension of the seless service of our
military members.
“When you put on a uniform, no matter
what uniform it is, it says you are willing
to do whatever it takes to protect those
you are serving,” he said.
T
he Michigan Department
of Corrections took steps
to honor veterans and active
duty servicemembers through a
variety of avenues in November.
ere are more than 1,700
veterans working for the
MDOC statewide and they
were recognized with special
presentations at worksites across
Michigan during the week of
Nov. 9-13.
Director Heidi Washington
created Veterans Appreciation
Week in 2017 to help show
the department’s gratitude for
employees who have served in
the Armed Forces.
e department presented
employees who are veterans with
tokens of recognition for past
military service and sent cards
to thank them for the sacrices
they made for their country.
In addition, the MDOC
has recognized active duty
employees when they are called
to serve and is extending a
helping hand to families of
deployed employees.
e MDOC is a Silver-Level
Veteran Friendly employer and
in 2017, the department received
the Pro Patria Award for its
eorts to support employees
serving in the National Guard
and Reserves. e award is
presented annually by the
Department of Defense’s
Employer Support of the Guard
and Reserve (ESGR) program
and is the highest honor an
organization can receive from
the program.
e department continues to
actively recruit veterans for roles
within the MDOC and promote
education benets available to
veterans.
In addition, correctional
facilities, eld oces and
other work sites showed their
appreciation for veterans
through ag raising ceremonies,
presentation of coins and other
special recognition.
You can also click here or
the image below to listen to
an episode of the Field Days
Podcast featuring MVAA
Director Zaneta Adams.
Above: Region Manager Will
Rogers in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Below: Region Manager Rogers’
grandparents in 1942.
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
October/November 2020 7
New corrections
ocers join MDOC
Joining Corrections
is “life changing”
for new ocer
W
hat began as an avenue for pro-
viding for family has been life
changing for Corrections Ocer Philip
Strange.
Ocer Strange
has family
who work for,
or have re-
tired from the
department,
and found
more than just
a job when he
decided to join
the MDOC.
“We’re chang-
ing lives,” he said. “We’re helping pris-
oners and we’re trying to correct their
actions and change their behavior to help
them lead better lives in the future.”
He said he learned a lot through the
academy that changed his early percep-
tions of corrections.
Ocer Strange said there is pride in put-
ting on the uniform each day.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s about keep-
ing the public safe and keeping prisoners
safe, but its also about helping them lead
better lives.”
I
n mid-November the department welcomed the graduates of
the Upper Peninsula Daniel Lesatz Ocer Recruit Training
Academy.
In a part virtual graduation ceremony, 31 new ocers were
welcomed to the Michigan Department of Corrections. Class
namesake and retired Warden Daniel Lesatz addressed the
class, which remained masked and socially distanced, while
their families and friends tuned in to watch the ceremony on
Facebook Live.
During the graduation ceremony, recruits and administrators
who had served in the Armed Forces were recognized for their
dedication to our country.
Class namesake, Daniel Lesatz, also discussed his military
background and how it helped him during his career.
We are proud to serve alongside these brave veterans, and all
our outstanding new ocers.
We’d also like to congratulate the class award winners:
• Josephine B. McCallum Award - Ocer Cassandra Lipponen
• Jack L. Budd Award - Ocer Philip Strange
• Academic Achievement Award - Ocer Lucas Berger
Recruits will now complete on-the-job training at their assigned
facilities.
Is there something
you’d like to see
in a future edition
of the Corrections
Connection?
Contact Joelle Craddy at
Corrections Connection
October/November 2020 8
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
COMS Trust and Financial Services Module Implementation
T
he COMS Project Team has been hard at work for many months working on the COMS Trust and
Financial Services module. e new module was successfully implemented on October 5! Work
began on this portion of the COMS Project in the spring of 2020. e COMS Project team worked
alongside the MDOC Trust CFA and CBC teams, facility sta, MDOC’s application vendors, and our
COMS soware vendor (“ATG”) to implement the new module and prepare sta to use the new system.
is implementation marks the third user application implemented since 2019. e COMS Food Service
module was implemented in October 2019 and the COMS Healthcare module was implemented in
January 2020. Next up are the COMS Meal Tracking module, then Field Operations, Parole Board, and
CFA. If you work in Meal Tracking, Field Operations, Parole Board, or CFA, please visit the COMS
Project website for further updates. To visit the website, go to https://stateofmichigan.sharepoint.com/
teams/insidemdoc/work/COMS.
Remembering Agent Verlynda Winston
and Ocer Terry Boatman, Jr.
L
incoln Park Parole Agent Verlynda Winston sadly lost her life in
November in an early morning accident when she was struck by
another vehicle.
Verlynda began her career with the MDOC
in 1996 as a corrections ocer at Western
Wayne Correctional Facility. She promoted
to sergeant in 2001 and then moved to FOA
in 2003 as a parole/probation agent in Region
II.
In 2007, she transferred to Detroit Reentry
Center and three years ago, she was a guest
on the Field Days podcast, where she talk-
ed about her involvement with the WRAP
program at that facility. You can listen to her
interview here.
She began working at the Lincoln Park Parole
Oce in June.
Lakeland Correctional Facility Corrections
Ocer Terry Boatman, Jr. lost also his battle
with a long-term illness in early November.
Funeral services took place Nov. 12. Memori-
al contributions are suggested to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their coworkers and family in this
dicult time.
Please know that help is always available through the department’s
Wellness Unit by contacting 833-DCBWELL (833-322-9355) or
mdoc-wellness@michigan.gov.
Emergency Management
Section Leaders Earn
Awards for Work
E
mergency Management Section
Manager Brent Travelbee and
Emergency Management Specialist
Todd Bechler were awarded the “Coin
of Excellence” and recognized by the
Michigan National Guard Joint Chief
of Sta for mission planning, develop-
ment and coordination of COVID-19
mass testing of sta and oenders.
With their help, more than 2,200
MDOC employees were able to com-
plete voluntary COVID-19 testing co-
ordinated with the Michigan National
Guard. ey have also played a key
role in coordinating with the National
Guard on required testing at facilities
under the Department of Health and
Human Services emergency public
health order.
October/November 2020 8
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
HAVE YOU HEARD?
Check out these other great episodes of the Field Days Podcast
• After a seven-month hiatus, the Field Days podcast returns from a new, virtual studio.
Director Heidi Washington discusses COVID-19, the hard work and incredible dedication
MDOC sta have shown throughout the pandemic, and what sta can expect going
forward.
• On this episode, the MDOC’s Chief Medical Ocer, Dr. Carmen McIntyre Leon discusses
the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids. She shares the danger and unpredictiability of
these drugs and how MDOC sta are working to keep it out of prisons.
October/November 2020 9
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
Detroit Reentry Center Closure Update
P
reparations for the closure of Detroit Reentry
Center are ongoing since the announcement
to sta on Sept. 22 that the facility
would close in January 2021.
e closure comes amid a declining oender
population and improvements to programs and
reentry services statewide.
e department began working immediately on
bumping chains and transfer options. We aim to give
as many employees as possible the opportunity to ll
open positions throughout the MDOC. All options
are being considered to minimize the impact on sta.
Voluntary placement forms were sent out Oct. 21 for
MCO-represented employees and those forms were
due back Oct. 30. e facility employs 220, and many
employees are currently re-assigned to other facilities
to help with stang needs due to COVID-19.
Planning continues on operational changes including
the movement of dialysis and prisoners needing
treatment to Woodland Center Correctional Facility,
movement of Michigan State Industries to Parnall
Correctional Facility and alternative placement for
WRAP program participants.
We are appreciative for all of the hard work that has
been done by employees at this facility over the past
eight years and we look forward to as many of those
employees as possible continuing their career with
the department. ere are no immediate plans for
how the site itself will be used going forward.
For employees that will be aected by the closure,
you can send any questions you may have to
New Mail Procedures in Place to Combat Contraband
T
he MDOC in October instituted changes to the
way prisoner mail is processed and handled
in order to further reduce the introduction of
contraband into correctional facilities.
All prisoner mail that does not require special
handling, including the envelope and its contents,
will be photocopied and these photocopies will be
delivered to the recipient prisoner in a separate
envelope. Original copies of mail items will not be
delivered.
“e safety and well-being of all those at our
correctional facilities is of critical importance, that
is why we are taking these steps to help combat the
introduction of dangerous contraband,” Director
Heidi Washington said. “MDOC sta do an
outstanding job every day thoroughly searching mail
and working hard to make sure contraband, like
controlled substances, do not make it behind our
gates. With a recent increase in attempts to conceal
contraband in the mail, it was necessary for the
department to institute these measures as an added
protection.”
e department’s mailrooms have seen attempts
to smuggle drugs in through the mail increase this
year, especially since the suspension of in-person
visiting during the pandemic. Taking these steps
to photocopy incoming mail will help reduce the
potential for contraband introduction, particularly
the potential for prisoners to access drugs that
senders might attempt to deliver through the mail.
At least 10 other states, including Ohio, Indiana, and
Nebraska, already have similar procedures in place
regarding prisoner mail. Photocopies will be in black
and white.
Items that will be photocopied include letters,
envelopes, greeting cards, photographs, drawings or
artwork, or other documents included in the personal
mail.
Items sent in via JPay — including greeting cards,
photographs, and other drawings and artwork—will
continue to be accessible in color via JPay tablets.
Photocopies of mail will continue to be reviewed to
ensure the content adheres to requirements laid out
in the MDOC’s mail policy.
More information on the MDOC’s new mail
requirements is available here.
October/November 2020 10
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
MDOC Continues Progress on Video
Visitation and Online Scheduling Pilot
T
he MDOC’s Video Visitation Pilot has continued to make progress, bringing on new sites for video visitation.
Video visiting is now fully operational at Parnall Correctional Facility, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility,
Chippewa Correctional Facility, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility and at Duane Waters Health Center/
RGC’s C-Unit.
ese sites have an important role in helping the MDOC learn
how to eectively operate and manage video visitation and the
lessons learned will be applied to future activities.
Looking toward the future, the chart below has been updated to
share new information including launch dates so far. Lakeland
Correctional Facility has been added to the bottom of the chart
as an additional Pilot Facility.
Why haven’t the dates been updated for ICF and MTU?
e addition of video visitation services requires the pilot
vendors to secure more bandwidth. Bandwidth is the amount
of information the system can transmit. Right now, at ICF and
MTU the vendor circuit providing them with bandwidth needs
to be upgraded by an Internet Service Provider to allow video visitation to function. Every eort is being made to get
the circuit upgraded as quickly as possible.
Separate from the bandwidth, these MTU and ICF have also experienced an uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases
which is limiting prisoner movement. What this means is that the dates on the chart above will remain as TBD for
these two sites until more progress is made.
As a reminder to those sites
that are live, here are the
basic steps that an approved
visitor should follow:
Step 1:e Approved Visitor
should navigate to the GTL
Visitor Web site:https://midoc.
gtlvisitme.com/app
Step 2:e Approved Visitor
will need to create an account
on the GTL Visitor Web Site
and request to visit the prisoner
at SMT, JCF, or DWH/RGC
C-Unit.
Step 3:Once approved on the
GTL site, the Approved Visitor
will then be able to request a
scheduled video visit for pris-
oners at SMT, JCF, or DWH/
RGC C-Unit..
Length of video visits:20 minutes (with 10 minutes between).
Cost of video visits:e cost of a scheduled twenty (20) minute video visit is $3.20. e video visit must be paid for in
advance by the person scheduling the visit.
Scheduling window:Video Visits may be scheduled no less than 72 hours in advance of the scheduled visit and not
aer 48 hours.
e department will also be sharing additional updates and information on video visitinghere.
October/November 2020 11
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
Saginaw Warden
Tom Winn Retires
S
aginaw Correctional Facility Warden
Tom Winn retired from the MDOC
on Oct. 30 aer 27 years of service to the
department.
Warden Winn
rose through the
ranks and held a
number of roles
during his career
with the department
including lieutenant
at Mid-Michigan
Correctional Facility,
inspector at St. Louis
Correctional Facility
and deputy warden at Standish Correctional
Facility, before being named warden at
Saginaw in 2014.
He also played a critical role in launching
the designated Veterans Unit at Saginaw.
In addition to his service to the MDOC,
he completed 28 years of honorable service
to the U.S. Army Reserves, Army National
Guard and U.S. Air Force.
Parole Board Chair
Mike Eagen Retires
P
arole Board Chairman Mike Eagen retired Oct.
30 following nearly a decade with the MDOC.
He joined the Parole Board in 2011 and has served as
the board’s chairperson since 2014.
Prior to joining the MDOC,
he spent 26 years of his career
in Eaton County, starting
as an assistant prosecuting
attorney and later promoting
to chief assistant prosecuting
attorney - a role he served in
for 16 years.
Under his leadership, the
Parole Board has helped
establish a parole approval rate
that is currently at an all-time high, while continuing
to put an emphasis on maintaining public safety.
e board has also played a role in the department
reaching its lowest recorded recidivism rate at 26.7
percent, and has recently worked hard to expedite
the parole process for eligible prisoners during
COVID-19.
October/November 2020 12
Brian Shipman Named Chair of Parole Board, Adrianne
Van Langevelde Named Newest Parole Board Member
B
rian Shipman has been named the Parole Board’s
new chairperson by Director Heidi Washington.
has worked for the MDOC for
31 years and began serving on
the Parole Board in 2015.
He began his career as a correc-
tions ocer at G. Robert Cotton
Correctional Facility and went
on to hold positions as assistant
resident unit supervisor, parole
agent, and the department’s rst
institutional parole agent. He also worked as a parole
revocation unit manager, and Parole Board manager.
In addition, Adrianne Van Langevelde has been
named the newest member of the Parole Board.
She joins the department December 1 and replaces
former Parole Board Chair Mike Eagen, who retired
October 30. She will serve the remainder of his term
through April 2021 as a member of the Board. Parole
Board member Brian Shipman
was named chairperson of the
board succeeding Mike Eagen
aer his retirement.
Adrianne has served as a senior
assistant prosecuting attorney
for Eaton County for the last 10
years and has also worked as an
assistant prosecuting attorney
for Mecosta County. She has training in trauma-in-
formed response and is a graduate of Michigan State
University’s College of Law, where she has also served
as a Mock Trial coach for students. Congratulations
to Brian Shipman and Adrianne Van Langvelde.
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
Oakland County Probation Agent Represents
Michigan in Miss USA Competition
O
akland County Probation Agent Chanel
Johnson has had an eventful year.
In addition to
confronting
the challenges
of COVID-19,
Agent
Johnson, who
was crowned
Miss Michigan
USA last year,
competed
in the Miss
USA pageant
in early
November.
While Miss Mississippi landed the crown, Agent
Johnson walked away with another title - the
longest reigning Miss Michigan in the pageant’s
history.
With the events delayed due to COVID-19,
Agent Johnson will keep the crown until the next
Miss Michigan pageant in May 2021.
e competition was about more than ball gowns
and contestants also needed successfully address
questions on national and global issues. Johnson
said her nal question in the Miss Michigan
pageant centered on freedom of speech.
She said she has appreciated all the support from
her colleagues at the MDOC. You can also hear
from Agent Johnson on a past episode of the
Field Days Podcast here.
ank You to Sta for Hard Work and Eorts on
Changes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Prisoners
O
ver the last eight months, facility sta across the
state have done an exceptional job helping the
department build on its eorts to identify, provide
accommodations for and eectively communicate
with deaf and hard of hearing prisoners.
e department made a number of signicant
changes in line with the settlement in the McBride
case, which involved deaf and hard of hearing
prisoners, and related to a new policy directive on
this issue.
is has involved a tremendous amount of work, and
combined with the challenges of COVID-19, it has
required even greater eort. Everyone involved has
tirelessly pressed forward to allow the department
to make signicant strides and meet the terms of the
settlement over the course of several months.
is work has involved:
• Changing practices and processes to allow
more oenders to be identied as deaf or hard of
hearing and receive accommodations. e number
of oenders identied as deaf or hard of hearing and
receiving accommodations has now almost tripled.
• Moving from housing deaf and hard of
hearing prisoners in 8 designated facilities to making
accommodations for these prisoners to be housed in
any facility.
• Medical sta conducted four audits of
oender historical audiology visits, manually entered
data on accommodations into multiple systems
and conducted numerous consultations to update
accommodations.
• e Training Division created a new training
module and conducted more than 1,000 training
sessions.
• Worksite ADA coordinators conducted at
least 850 oender assessments and facilities have
reviewed all Operating Procedures and issued new
ones to assist sta when needed.
is was no simple feat, and it is an achievement
we can be proud of as everyone prepares to show
settlement monitors the amazing progress that has
been made during this challenging time. Due to
COVID-19, sta, vendors and contractors have all
had to make signicant adjustments to allow for
new testing protocols, new transportation needs
and other measures, and have continued to do an
amazing job.
October/November 2020 13
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
Corrections Quiz
How many pounds of food were
donated by facility and eld oce
gardens in 2019?
Send your answer to Joelle Craddy at CraddyJ@
michigan.gov. The rst person to answer correctly
will receive a congratulatory shout out and the answer
and winner will be published in the next edition of
the newsletter.
September Quiz Recap
Who was the rst warden of Bellamy
Creek Correctional Facility?
Answer: Ken McKee
Congratulations to Randy Coyne, Record
Supervisor at Alger Correctional Facility, and
runner up Andy Dyer, Assistant Deputy Warden at
St. Louis Correctional Facility, for being the rst to
answer the September Corrections Quiz! Great Job!
J
ust in time for fall, the Employee Store is now oering the
“Michigan Strong” design on long sleeve T-shirts, crew neck
sweatshirts, and hooded sweatshirts. T-shirts and other items
that can be customized with the new “Michigan Strong” logo also
remain available.
EPIC sta worked with Employee Store operator CVSD Busy
Bees to create and oer the T-shirts, which are available to
MDOC employees, retirees, and their families. e sweatshirts
and shirts come in many colors and make great gis for friends
and family. ey can also be customized with the department seal
or facility/
worksite
names.
For more
informa-
tion, or if
you need
assistance,
please con-
tact Cheryl
Groves at
GrovesC@
michigan.
gov.
T
he Employee Engagement 501(c)
(7) non-prot organization
was established in 2017 to support
MDOC employees. is organiza-
tion continues to explore ways to
engage employees throughout the
Department. e Employee En-
gagement Committee coordinates
Employee Recreation Day events
in both the lower and upper penin-
sulas, providing an opportunity for
sta from across the state to gather
and enjoy a day of fun lled activi-
ties. e organization raises money
through raes, Dogs of the MDOC
annual calendar sales, and from Busy
Bee’s, the department’s on-line store,
which provides for the purchase of
MDOC apparel and accessories. is
organization has provided opportu-
nities for families to stay at the Great
Wolf Lodge at discounted rates, and
to purchase Detroit Piston’s tickets at
a discounted rate as well. A portion
of the proceeds raised through these
various events are allocated to em-
ployees and their families who have
experienced tragedy or loss. To date,
the Employee Engagement organi-
zation has donated over $7,350 to
Corrections families.
“Michigan Strong” Shirts Available
rough MDOC Employee Store
Engagement
Fund Update
October/November 2020 14
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
Seen on Twitter...
G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility War-
den Noah Nagy recently presented Absconder
Recovery Unit Lt. Charles Levens with a War-
den’s Coin to thank him for his dedication and
hard work. Lt. Levens and the team worked
tirelessly and showed great dedication in
their eorts to help their colleagues at facil-
ities experiencing stang challenges due to
COVID-19, as well as assisting at the depart-
ment’s designated COVID positive units. Lt.
Levens was most recently assigned to JCF and
now returns to his position with ARU.
To see more, follow the MDOC on Twitter.
Recruits in the Daniel Lesatz Academy
class in Lansing are working hard to
prepare for their new careers with the
department, and are shown here partici-
pating in PT. e 139 recruits in the Lower
Peninsula class started their training on
Oct. 5 with socially-distanced classroom
or virtual learning and other measures in
place to help protect their health.
Kent County Probation Agent
Rob Howard, a Grand Valley State
University alum, appeared on a radio
show for the university’s College of
Community and Public Service to
talk about his education, career and
the importance of criminal justice
work.
You can listen to his full interview on
WGVU Public Radio here.
Dogs of MDOC Calendar
Available for Pre-Order
T
he Dogs of MDOC 2021 Calendar is
available for pre-order now and showcas-
es many adorable dogs in training programs
around the MDOC.
It is available at the special price of $8 each ($2
less than previous years). Pre-order yours now
by emailing EPIC Specialist Brittany Prescott
atPrescot[email protected]v.
October/November 2020 15
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
April/May New Hires
Baldwin, Deshall
Barden, Melissa
Batho, Memory
Bolm, Samantha
Brown, Jennifer
Burton, Robert
Buskirk, Nicole
Cox, Cory
Demers, Crystal
Duncan, Lakiera
Ferrara Mercedes
Glenn-Okeke, Amanda
Harrington, Danielle
Huber, Kristina
Hunt, Sonja
Jones, Carrie
Ladouce, Jacob
Lantis, Jacob
Legleitner, Scott
Macinnis, Scott
Mcgowan, Deanne
Meddaugh, Marina
Mills, Kimberly
Newcomb, Barbara
Ortega, Sophia
Page, Rhiana
Reddy, Mallu
Risner, Michael
Sanders, Bre’onna
Sawdy, Kelsey
Smith, Eric
Smith, Lisa
Steadman, Diane
Steele, Sydney
Stricklin, Brian
ornton, Esther
Turner, Lakeisha
Wilds, Elizabeth
Wyse, Rebecca
Zama, Rachael
Licensed Practical Nurse, Detroit Reentry Center
Registered Nurse, Carson City Correctional Facility
Dental Aide, Chippewa Correctional Facility
X-Ray Technician, Marquette Branch Prison
Licensed Practical Nurse, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Corrections Ocer, Kinross Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Carson City Correctional Facility
Pharmacy Assistant, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Alger Correctional Facility
Resident Care Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Registered Nurse, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Registered Nurse, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Resident Care Aide, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Psychologist, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Cook, Ionia Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Parnall Correctional Facility
Corrections Qualified Mental Health Professional, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Psychologist, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Qualified Mental Health Professional, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Resident Care Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Licensed Practical Nurse, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Resident Care Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Resident Care Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Resident Care Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Registered Nurse manager, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Corrections Ocer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Qualied Mental Health Professional, Muskegon Correctional Facility
Licensed Practical Nurse, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Cook, Michigan Reformatory
Resident Care Aide, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Secretary, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Resident Care Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Resident Care Aide, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Resident Care Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center
Registered Nurse, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Detroit Reentry Center
October/November 2020 16
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
April/May Retirements
Ade, Kimberly
Andrews, Michael
Arkesteyn, David
Armstrong, David
Avery, Richard
Beggs, Charles
Bennett, Clarence
Boerema, Randy
Bonnee, William
Brandt, John
Brege, Carla
Brown, Marilynn
Brown-Brandon, Cascelia
Budnik, eodore
Chadwell, Amy
Cochrane, Derek
Conn, Timothy
Curtis, Gary
Dollar, Mary
Eardley, William
Esch, Leon
Fair, David
Fredericks, Daniel
Galarowic, Jerri
Garcia, Cynthia
Gheller, Giancarlo
Godlewski, Brian
Greenspan, Michael
Hall, David
Hampton, Timothy
Harrison, Steven
Hodge, Stacey
Hull, Candace
Hull, Lynn
Jackson, Essie
Jegla, John
Johnston, Robert
Jorgensen, Eric
Keehn, Steven
Keough, Robert
Kerttu, Richard
Kindel, Rodney
Kingsley, Gregory
Kosinski, R
Kowatch, Timothy
Ladoux, Arlene
Lamb, Colby
Love, Ladd
Matowski, Denise
McNamara, Diane
Field Agent, Field Operations Administration
Corrections Program Coordinator, Charles E. Egeler Reception & Guidance Center
Community Health Services Manager, Muskegon Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Storekeeper Supervisor, Baraga Correctional Facility
Storekeeper, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Oaks Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Kinross Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Ionia Correctional Facility
Secretary, Field Operations Administration
Psychologist, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Departmental Specialist, Corrections Central Oce
Storekeeper, Saginaw Correctional Facility
Assistant Resident Unit Supervisor, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Building Trades Crew Leader, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Parnall Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
General Oce Assistant, Marquette Branch Prison
Field Agent, Field Operations Administration
Maintenance Mechanic, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Ocer, Newberry Correctional Facility
Parole and Probation Manager, Field Operations Administration
Departmental Technician, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Storekeeper, Charles E. Egeler Reception & Guidance Center
Corrections Ocer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Parnall Correctional Facility
Storekeeper, Charles E. Egeler Reception & Guidance Center
Dental Aide, Charles E. Egeler Reception & Guidance Center
Corrections Program Coordinator, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
General Oce Assistant, St. Louis Correctional Facility
Field Agent, Field Operations Administration
Corrections Ocer, Cooper Street Correctional Facility
Corrections Transportation Ocer, Kinross Correctional Facility
Field Services Assistant, Field Operations Administration
Corrections Ocer, umb Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Carson City Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Baraga Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Ocer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
State Administrative Manager, Corrections Central Oce
Corrections Ocer, Ionia Correctional Facility
Departmental Technician, Muskegon Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Transportation Officer, Charles E. Egeler Reception & Guidance Center
State Administrative Manager, Corrections Central Oce
Dental Aide, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
October/November 2020 17
Corrections Connection
Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success
April/May Retirements
Miller, Edward
Miller, Rex
Moore, Gerald
Morey, Timothy
Myotte, William
Nichols, Daniel
Nickerson, Colleen
Oja, Matthew
Okoren, Michael
Paksi, Scott
Patino, Rene
Peier, Joseph
Perry, Rochelle
Putman, Clarence
Pyle, Jennifer
Raymor, Brenda
Rice, Shelly
Salo, omas
Schafer, Dale
Schnell, George
Seay, Jimmie
Shepherd, Gordon
Slabaugh, Mary
Smith, Carl
Smith, Eric
Smith, Michael
Smith, Penny
Smoker, Mildred
Spence, Bryan
Spisak, Mark
Sullivan, Larona
Trudell, Chris
Viglianco, David
Watkins, Melvin
Wegmann, Richard
Wilks, Jeery
Willoughby, Pamela
Corrections Ocer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Librarian, Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Marquette Branch Prison
Corrections Ocer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Muskegon Correctional Facility
Field Agent, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Ocer, Chippewa Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Oaks Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Central Michigan Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Field Agent, Field Operations Administration
Corrections Ocer, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Transportation Ocer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Michigan Reformatory
Corrections Ocer, Charles E. Egeler Reception & Guidance Center
Assistant Resident Unit Supervisor, Alger Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Charles E. Egeler Reception & Guidance Center
Corrections Ocer, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Registered Nurse, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Departmental Specialist, Oaks Correctional Facility
Trades Instructor, G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
Departmental Supervisor, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Lakeland Correctional Facility
Storekeeper, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility
State Administrative Manager, Corrections Central Oce
Corrections Ocer, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Corrections Medical Ocer, Woodland Center Correctional Facility
Corrections Ocer, Detroit Reentry Center
Corrections Ocer, Muskegon Correctional Facility
Field Agent, Field Operations Administration
October/November 2020 18
