The Official Newsletter for the West Virginia Division of Corrections

IN THIS ISSUE:

Commissioner’s Comments 2

Walk, Golf & MOCK Riot 3

Recruitment Corner 4

Corrections Day 5

Leadership Meeting 6

Facility Updates 7-14

New Employees, Promotions 15Awards and FYI 15

Retirements 16LCC Christmas Party 16

Parole Services Updates 17

In Memory 17

Winter 2013Volume 5 Issue 4

Lakin Fundraiser for Local Child

On January 16, 2013, at the month-ly Facility Character Profile (FCP) meeting at Lakin Correctional Center, (LCC) the group decided to hold a fundraiser for Nathan Hall, a 5 year old child from the Mason County, WV area. Nathan was battling cancer for the second time within a year, and was undergo-ing chemotherapy and radiation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

During the months of January and February 2013, the FCP Com-mittee’s asked for donations of some of Nathan’s favorite things: board games, stuffed animals, tractors, farm animals, barns and games for Nintendo DSi and Wii. The FCP Groups also wanted to recognize Nathan’s parents, who were suffering financial hardship from the weekly trips to Columbus, Ohio, for Nathan’s treatments.

On February 26, 2013, Sgt. Joseph Riffle and COII Christopher Delaney along with Amy Bumgarner, Stacy Duncan, Tabitha Stanley, Brandy Graham, COII Jessi Roush, Deputy Warden JD Sallaz and Warden Lori Nohe trav-eled to Nathan’s elementary school and presented him with numerous toys, along with a bike. Sgt. Riffle presented Nathan with a certifi-cate from the MOCC K-9 Unit, naming him an Honorary Member of their unit and received numerous ball cards of the officer and their K-9 . COII Delaney also honored Nathan with a Lakin Correctional Center Challenge Coin and a Certificate of Recognition for his brav-ery during his illness.

Amy Bumgarner presented Nathan’s mother, Naomi Hall, a card signed by other staff at LCC along with a financial donation to assist them with their expenses.

Submitted by: Lori Nohe, Warden, LCC

West Virginia Corrections

ConnectionPhoto by: Angel Cole, PSI-MED Counselor, HCC

Winter 2013 Page 2

West Virginia Division of Corrections

Vision and Mission Statements

Vision

The Vision of the West Virginia

Division of Corrections is to be recognized as an

innovative leader in provid-ing quality correctional

services.

Mission

The Mission of the West Virginia

Division of Corrections is to enhance public safety by providing safe, secure, hu-mane correctional facilities, operating an effective system of offender reentry and com-munity supervision, reducing offender recidivism, and as-

sisting victims of crime.

Commissioner’s Comments

Get Ready, Get Set....GOAL!

Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you will end up someplace else”.

This quote reminded me of how im-portant it is to set goals for ourselves. When you list goals, you’re helping to build a more positive self image; you begin to see yourself as someone wor-thy of these goals and develop the traits and characteristics you need to achieve them.

When creating a goal---its helpful to remember the acronym,“SMART”…

I encourage each of you to create SMART Goals and take the positive steps to achieve them!

Jim RubensteinCommissioner, WVDOC

Congratulations Warden Ballard, CCE!!

Mount Olive Correctional Complex Warden David Ballard recently took it upon himself to apply for and then receive, Certified Corrections Execu-tive (CCE) credentials by the National Commission on Corrections Certifica-tion.

The American Correctional Associa-tions Corrections Certification Program, is a self-study program that ends with a 200 question, four-hour, proctored, pa-per exam. This certification recognizes high level correctional executives who oversee the development of policies and procedures in agencies dealing with adult offenders.

I commend Warden Ballard on this ex-traordianry honor and achievement and thank him for Leading by Example.

Specific

MeasurableAttainable

Realistic

Time Bound

Winter 2013 Page 3

MS Walk, Golf Tournament & MOCK Riot

Jeannie Morris (former Auditor with WVDOC) was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Per her request and the Commissioner’s permission, Patti Withrow, Director of Administration for the DOC, has put together “Team WVDOC” and asks everyone to join in and walk to sup-port the local MS Chapter. Please see the website address below for futher information.

2013 Walk MS Charleston – Blue Ridge Chapter

Saturday, April 13, 2013Location: Columbia Gas Building

1700 MacCorkle Ave SE Charleston, WV 25314

Site Opens: 9AM registrationOpening Ceremony: 10 AM

Route Length: 1 or 3 mile options

www.main.nationalmssociety.org

When you participate in Walk MS, the funds you raise give hope to the more than 7,000 people living with MS in our community. The dollars raised support life-changing programs and cutting-edge research.

The Fifth Annual Golf Tournament, Employee Fund for the WV Correc-tions Workers Foundation, hosted by PSIMED, Inc. will be held on May 9, 2013 at 10:00am at the Moundsville Country Club, Moundsville, WV.

Awards, sponsor plaques and prizes will be presented during the buffet immediately following the golf tourna-ment on May 9, 2013. Tournament Registration Deadline is April 26, 2013.

If interested, please visit: www.psim-edinc.com to get more information and download a registration form.

MOCK PRISON RIOT SCHEDULEMay 4-9, 2013

Saturday, 4 May 2013: Noon to 5 pm: On-site registration open

Sunday, 5 May 2013: 7:30 am: Skills Competition and Super SWAT Competition, Day 17 am - 3 p.m.: On-site registration open

Monday, 6 May 2013: 7:30 am: Skills Competition and Super SWAT Competition, Day 28 am to midnight: Exhibitor Set Up8 am to midnight: Registration Open6 pm: Skills Awards and Mock Prison Riot Opening Banquet, Wheeling Park White Palace Ballroom

Tuesday, 7 May 2013:7:30 am - 4 pm: Registration Open8 am to 5 pm: Mock Prison Riot, Day 18 am to 4 pm: Exhibitor Showcase Open8 am to 5 pm: Workshops

Wednesday, 8 May 20137:30 am to 4 pm: Registration Open8 am to 5 pm: Mock Prison Riot, Day 28 am to 4 pm: Exhibitor Showcase Open8 am to 5 pm: Workshops

Thursday, 9 May 201310 am Start: Charitable Golf Tourna-ment at Moundsville Country Club

More information can be found at: www.mockprisonriot.org

Winter 2013 Page 4

With this issue of Corrections Connec-tion, your Human Resources Depart-ment will be kicking off our new column. While we don’t currently have an Employee Referral Program in place, this is an idea we in HR have been discussing. We know that our employees are our biggest asset, not only on a day-to-day basis but in the recruitment process a well.

As most, if not all, of you know, WV DOC is always hiring for a variety of positions but most notably our Cor-rectional Officer I and II positions. These are valuable positions within our agency that are on the front lines of corrections, and they are an essen-tial part of how we continue to enforce and acknowledge our vision, mission and core values.

How can YOU help? On a regular

basis, I’m sure you have heard any number of these comments from friends, loved ones, neighbors and even strangers:

“I need a new job!”“I can’t seem to find any jobs around here!”“I’m struggling to pay the bills.”“I wish I had health insurance!”“I just want to be able to provide for my family.”

When you hear comments like these, your first thought should be to make them aware that WV DOC is hiring. We have instruction flyers and busi-ness cards that give a brief summary of the application process. We also have flyers that you can hang up at your local grocery store, gas station or anywhere with a public notice board.

If you would like some flyers or any additional information to have on hand when the opportunity presents itself, please contact Amy Boggs at the Cen-tral Office, (304) 558-2036 ext. 53475. Suggestions and ideas are also very welcome!

The Human Resources Department of Central Office is gauging inter-est in the PEIA Work It Out Assess-ment. You must be enrolled in PEIA to participate and we must have a minimum of 8 people in order to have the exercise physiologist come to our office. We invite anyone in the Charleston area who is interested in participating to let us know! It will be held at the WVDOC Central Office and will be a 30 minute- one on one session with an Exercise Physiolo-gist. Please contact Stephanie Boyd at Stephanie.B.Boyd@wv.gov if you are interested in participating by April 1, 2013. (See the box on right for a little more information on the program)

New

HR Recruiter at Central Office

Amy Boggs is the new HR Recruiter at the Central Office, effective Febru-ary 15, 2013. Amy, a graduate from Marshall University, has previous marketing and community organiz-ing experience that she will use to her benefit in her new position. She will be working with all of the facilities, as well as the Central Office, to create awareness of the WVDOC and fill the vacant positions within the agency. Amy transferred to the WVDOC from the WVDHHR. We are very excited to have Amy on our team!

Kathy CarrollDirector of Human Resources

WVDOC

Recruit

ment

Corner

Work It Out Do you want to know your current fitness levels? Do you want a fitness routine but don’t know where to start? The WV Work It Out (WIO) Program may be what you need! We offer com-prehensive fitness assessments by an Exercise Physiologist to evaluate your current fitness conditioning and to help guide you toward your fitness goals. How does WIO work? Once your worksite has met the criteria of a minimum number of participants, your worksite coordinator can get your site scheduled for assessments. Individual sessions will last 30 minutes includ-ing a health history and assessments of blood pressure, resting heart rate, percent body fat, waist girth, cardio-pulmonary fitness, and measurements of muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. After the assessment, the Exercise Physiologist will explain the results and guide you in your efforts to reach your fitness goals.

Don’t forget to bring comfortable clothing for the exercise testing and a list of your current medications. Congratulations on taking this step to improve your health and fitness!

Winter 2013 Page 5

Correctional InstitutionsAnthony Correctional CenterScott Patterson, WardenBox N-1 HC-70White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986Phone: (304) 536-3911 Fax: (304) 536-3916

Beckley Correctional CenterWilliam Vest, Administrator111 S. Eisenhower Dr.Beckley, WV 25801Phone: (304) 256-6780 Fax: (304) 256-6782

Charleston Work Release CenterJeff Stinnett, Administrator607 Brooks StreetCharleston, WV 25301Phone: (304) 558-2763 Fax: (304) 558-1537

Denmar Correctional CenterMark Williamson, WardenHC 64 Box 125Hillsboro, WV 24946Phone: (304) 653-4201 Fax: (304) 653-4855

Huntington Work Release CenterRenae Stubblefield, Administrator1236 5th AvenueHuntington, WV 25701Phone: (304) 529-6885 Fax: (304) 529-0205

Huttonsville Correctional CenterMarvin Plumley, WardenPO Box 1 Huttonsville, WV 26273Phone: (304) 335-2291 Fax: (304) 335-4256

Lakin Correctional CenterLori Nohe, Warden11264 Ohio River RoadWest Columbia, WV 25287Phone: (304) 674-2440 Fax: (304) 674-6199

Martinsburg Correctional CenterScott Paugh, Warden38 Grapevine RoadMartinsburg, WV 25405Phone: (304) 267-0156 Fax: (304) 267-0196

McDowell County Correctional CenterDennis Dingus, Warden50 Court StreetWelch, WV 24801

Mt. Olive Correctional ComplexDavid Ballard, Warden#1 Mountainside WayMt. Olive, WV 25185Phone: (304) 442-7213 Fax: (304) 442-7225

Northern Correctional CenterEvelyn Seifert, Warden112 Northern Regional Correctional Dr.Moundsville, WV 26041Phone: (304) 843-4067 Fax: (304) 843-4117

Ohio County Correctional CenterWilliam Yurcina, Administrator1501 Eoff StreetWheeling, WV 26003Phone: (304) 238-1007 Fax: (304) 238-1009

Parkersburg Correctional CenterAnne Thomas, Warden225 Holiday Hills DriveParkersburg, WV 26104 Phone: (304) 420-2443 Fax: (304) 420-2477

Pruntytown Correctional CenterDebbi Minnix, WardenPO Box 159Grafton, WV 26354-0159Phone: (304) 265-6111 Fax: (304) 265-6120

St. Mary’s Correctional CenterPatrick Mirandy, Warden2880 N. Pleasants HighwaySt. Mary’s, WV 26170Phone: (304) 684-5500 Fax: (304) 684-5506

Corrections Day at the Legislature 2013The 15th Annual Corrections Day at the Legislature was held Thursday, February 14, 2013 at the Capitol Complex in Charleston, WV. This is a day that employees have a chance to network with other state agencies and speak with government officials.

Winter 2013 Page 6

WV DOC Contact Information

Central Office

Jim Rubenstein, CommissionerLoita Butcher, Executive Asst. to the Commissioner Susan Harding, Executive Secretary

Jim Ielapi, Deputy CommissionerDella Huddleston, Administrative Secretary

Kem Hudson, Inmate Movement CoordinatorTerri Arthur, Hearing ExaminerJennifer Ballard, Director of ProgramsKathy Carroll, Director of Human ResourcesMichael Coleman, Director of SecurityBrad Douglas, Director of Research & Planning and Information TechnologyPhillip Farley, Construction ManagerJudy Fitzgerald, Director of Parole ServicesDebbie Hissom, Health Services AdministratorJohn Boothroyd, Acting Director of Legal ServicesSandi Jaynes, Victim Services ManagerChuck Mankins, Director of SafetyRita Albury, Director of ClassificationKaren Nichols, Director of Records/InterstateCompactPatti Withrow, Director of Administration

1409 Greenbrier StreetCharleston, WV 25311Phone: (304) 558-2036Fax: (304) 558-5934

Jan Chamberlain, Asst. CommissionerJuanita Sumner, Secretary

Denver Rosier, Director of Investigations PO Box 1 Huttonsville, WV 26273

Phone: (304) 335-2291

Eddie Long, Director of Correctional Industries

WV Correctional Industries607 Leon Sullivan WayCharleston, WV 25301Phone: (304) 558-6055Fax: (304 558-6056

Randy Perdue, Director of Training

WV Corrections AcademyThe Morris Criminal Justice Training Center

PO Box 850Glenville, WV 26351

Phone: (304) 462-3044Fax: (304) 462-3052

WV DOC Leadership Meeting

Leadership staff from the WVDOC attended a meeting at Oglebay Resort on Decem-ber 11-13, 2012. Staff gathered to discuss updates from their respective facilites/departments along with an update on the new Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards. Special Guest Speaker, Bob Rubenstein gave a presentation on “Gestalt Leadership--Whole to Parts/Parts to Whole.” Commissioner Rubenstein also present-ed “Years of Service” certificates to Assistant Commissioner Jan Chamberlain with 40 years of service and Northern Correctional Center Warden Evelyn Seifert for 30 years service to the state of WV. Congratulations!!!

Winter 2013 Page 7

Facility Updates

Beckley Correctional Center (BCC) Em-ployees: Warden Vest and the RSAT Staff including, Ella Meador, Richard Hodges, and Gary Hopkins presented Christmas items made by the Residential Substance Abuse Unit Inmates, to the residents at the Jackie Withrow Hospital, in Beckley, WV. They included items like stockings, Santa’s and bead bracelets. Each item was handmade and as unique and creative as the individual who made it. They were greatly appreciated and it was stated by the hospital administrator that, “Your act of kindness and giving is greatly ap-preciated by both the Jackie Withrow Hospital and residents.”

Staff and inmates at Lakin Correctional Center donated 98 paper 3D snowflakes to the Connecticut Parent Teacher Student Association for Sandy Hook Elementary School. WV Correctional Industries inmate workers and State Shop workers made the paper snowflakes. The snowflakes were made during the inmate workers breaks over a week long period. The purpose of send-ing the snowflakes was to make the school into a winter wonderland for the students and make their return to be a little less stressful. The snowflakes were shipped to Sandy Hook Elementary School the first week in January 2013, to be hung prior to the children return-ing from Christmas Break.

Above: inmates involved in the snowflake project, including COII Jessi Roush. (Supervisor I, Becky Plants, organized this project and is missing from the picture)

The Mt.Olive Correctional Complex Special Operations Team (tacti-cal) conducted combined training at the Training Academy in Glenville on January 16, 2013, to enhance mission readiness and response to crisis situations.

Front Row left to right:Cpl. Richard Toney, Cpl. Wesley Williams (w/K-9 “Cezar”), Sgt. Bobby Berry, Sgt. Jarod Wilson (w/K-9 “Rowdy”), Sgt. JD Nottingham, Cpl. Robert Martens (w/K-9 “Zeek”)Back Row left to right: Sgt. Brian Penick, Capt. James McCloud, Capt. Russell Ma-theney, Cpl. Paul Donelson, Capt. Ronnie Williams

BCC Staff Richard Hodges, Ella Meador, Gary Hopkins and Warden Bill Vest

Winter 2013 Page 8

The First Annual SMCC-PBCC Bow-ing Classic was held on Friday, 22 February at Emerson Lanes in Park-ersburg. Several employees and their families enjoyed an evening of bowl-ing and friendly competition. Scores from St. Marys Correctional Center (SMCC) and Parkersburg Correctional Center (PBCC) employees were tabu-lated to determine the winner.

At the end of the evening, SMCC walked away with the bowling pin trophy, which goes to the winner after each tournament. Warden Mirandy added that the bowling trophy is an nice addition to the other trophies in the SMCC trophy case, and that he is proud of the SMCC employees for their success in this challenge. Go Team SMCC!!

Submitted by: Amanda Anderson, SMCC

The following article appeared in “The Intelli-gencer/Wheeling News-Register, on December 28, 2012, and was reprinted with permission of Shelly Hanson, Staff Writer, for the Intelli-gencer/Wheeling News-Register.

Space used to house male inmates in Ohio County may be expanded next year.

During a recent Ohio County Com-mission meeting, members approved renewing the West Virginia Division of Corrections’ existing lease for the space for a one-year period. Ohio County has leased out the jail building, located 1501 Eoff St., Wheeling, to the state DOC since 1998. But another lease agreement is under negotiation.

“We’re working on a bigger lease project with them to modify the space that will be available to them and also increase the revenues that come to Ohio County,’’ said county Adminis-trator Greg Stewart.

He said that after a new, longer-term lease is approved by both the state and county commission, renovation work likely would begin about two months later. To potentially make more room for the DOC, offices of the magistrates and the Lee Day Report Center would be moved to the fifth floor of another county annex building on 16th Street, where the sheriff's department also is housed on the first floor.

The state DOC uses the facility, known as the Ohio County Correc-tional Center, to house a maximum of 67 short-term inmates who are non-vi-olent offenders. The inmates are those who have violated their parole due to non-criminal acts, and they often perform community service such as collecting trash or shoveling snow.

Photo by: Shelly Hanson

''It's a quiet facility. A lot of people don't know what we do here,'' Warden William Yurcina said.

Yurcina said at first the new space would only be used to move adminis-trative offices and potentially house an additional six inmates. In the longer term, the DOC would like to have room for another 30 inmates there.

The Eoff Street center was built in 1974 to house Ohio County's prisoners and did so until 1994, when the Northern Regional Jail in Moundsville opened.

Written by: Shelley Hanson , Staff Writer, The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register.

Facility Updates

Pictured from SMCC: Warden Patrick Mirandy, Sean Markey, Amanda Anderson, Jennifer Kim-ball and Jack Stollings.

Winter 2013 Page 9

Mt. Olive Correctional ComplexAs a result of fundraising efforts at Mt. Olive Correctional Complex, (MOCC), Operation Reach Out was able to purchase teal magnet ribbons for every Kanawha County Sheriff and Charleston Police Department cruiser for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. MOCC has raised more than $6,900.00 since last May, and MOCC will be completely fund-ing the victim fair at the State Capitol again this year.

An additional check in the amount of $1,453.00 was presented to Family Counseling Connection/ Rape Edu-cation, Advocacy, Counseling and Healing, (FCC/REACH) on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. MOCC in partnership with FCC/REACH will also fund a luncheon at the Operation Reach Out Opening Ceremony. Food will be prepared by the Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action (KISRA) culinary arts students. MOCC do-nated approximately $800 of postage stamps to FCC/REACH and cloth-ing, backpacks, toys and books to the Batterers Intervention and Prevention Program’s second hand store known as “2nd Seating” in Charleston, WV.

Submitted by: David Ballard & Cheryl Chandler

MOCC

Ohio County Correctional Center (OCCC) staff held a drive for the YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program Domestic Violence Shelter. They collected hygiene products, cleaning supplies, clothing, etc, (pic-tured above). The items were deliv-ered to the YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program, DV Shelter on January 31, 2013.

OCCC Officer Chad Richmond, along with Officer Richard Toney from MOCC, completed the Basic Sniper School with the Gastonia Police De-partment in Gastonia, North Carolina. To quote Captain Ronnie Williams, “The host agency has a full time unit with a wealth of operational experi-ence.” This school, as delivered by the Gastonia Police Department is based off of their own experience and knowledge obtained through their interactions with numerous other law enforcement and military units.

The Gastonia PD has coordinated and hosted 6 Sniper Competitions. These included competing teams from each military branch and state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies from throughout the country. They have extensive contact with private security firms and training groups and they indicate their training program is based on the collection of knowledge and techniques from all of these re-sources. As such, they believe it to be one of the most up to date and current

courses available in regards to training techniques, trends and court/liability issues.

Submitted by: Debbie Croft, OCCC

Pruntytown Correctional Centers (PCC) Maintenance Department has constructed a new salt brine dis-tribution system for pretreatment of their sidewalks and parking areas.

The brine solution will be premixed in the maintenance garage and then applied to sidewalks and parking areas when temperatures are from freez-ing to 20 degrees. PCC continue to use rock salt when temperatures are below 20 degrees. The use of this system will reduce the use of salt, saving money, the environment and will increase the life of the concrete sidewalks.

Pruntytown Correctional Center Warden Debbie Minnix and ACA Co-ordinator Marcus Mullenax traveled to Houston, TX in January, to attend an ACA panel hearing where they defended the standards not met during August’s audit. Based on the action plans presented, they were granted 2 of the 3 standards. PCC was then voted for re-accreditation.

Facility Updates

Winter 2013 Page 10

Parkersburg Correctional Center Updates

The following article appeared in “Parkers-burg News and Sentinel”, on February 2, 2013, and was reprinted with permission of Pamela Brust, Staff Writer, for the“Parkersburg News and Sentinel”

PARKERSBURG - With nearly 15 years experience in corrections, Anne Thomas is the warden at the Parkers-burg Correctional Center.

The minimum security $8.7 million, 130-bed facility opened in the sum-mer of 2012 with speeches, flag-raising, luncheon and tours. The state purchased the Holiday Inn for $2.2 million. The inn closed in August 2007. The facility is located on a hill overlooking I-77 and U.S. 50. After two years of planning and $6.5 million in construction costs, the work release facility was completed.

When the center opened the warden was Patrick Mirandy. He is now the warden at St. Marys Correctional Center, and effective Sept. 1, 2012, Anne Thomas became the new warden at the Parkersburg Correctional Center.Thomas said operations are going smoothly, and officials have received positive feedback from the commu-nity.

“There were just the usual operational challenges when you open any new facility,” Thomas said.The new warden began her corrections career at the Mount Olive Correctional

Complex, became associate warden of Programs at Lakin Correctional Cen-ter. After that she served as Director of Classification at the central office department of the WV Department of Corrections before taking on her cur-rent responsibilities at the Parkersburg facility.

The facility has capacity for 130, with 100 of those beds for work release in-mates. The substance abuse treatment facility, which is also housed at the facility, has 30 beds. Those residing at the work release center are assessed and screened prior to assignment. No violent offenders, no sex offenders and no inmates with prior sexual offenses are assigned to the center, according to corrections officials.

“The 30 inmates in the substance abuse treatment program are not in work release yet. They are also classi-fied low risk. They must successfully complete the treatment program and once they have done that they can come to work release status,” Thomas said.

Part of the facility is occupied by Parole Services.

The work release program officially began receiving inmates on August 29, 2012.

“We’ve been fortunate to have had positive responses in the commu-nity with our community service and employment and we are very grateful to groups within the area including Workforce West Virginia for their as-sistance. We had a job fair here with Workforce West Virginia’s assistance. We have worked with them to get em-ployment services to aid the inmates in finding employment. Some businesses in the community provided place-

ments. The job fair also provided an opportunity for the inmates to acquire interviewing skills,” Thomas said. “They are to be honest when applying for a job, letting their potential em-ployer know their situation. So far we haven’t had any negative feedback.”

Inmates in the work release program are required to perform 80 hours of community service prior to looking for employment. Community service opportunities for the inmates have included a variety of options.

“We have been fortunate to work with the Wood County Historical Society. Inmates assisted in cleaning up cemeteries in the Belleville area in conjunction with the society. They worked for St. Paul’s United Method-ist Church helping serve community lunches. At Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, inmates participated in com-munity cleanup projects. At the Hu-mane Society of Parkersburg, inmates cleaned cages, walked dogs, worked with special need animals and through recycling and donations, one of the inmates paid the adoption fees for two dogs. At the Salvation Army, inmates helped prepare and serve Thanksgiv-ing dinner and assisted with Christmas and Angel Tree projects. To this point, they have over 6,000 hours,” Thomas said.

The warden said the opportunities give inmates the chance to give back to the community.

“A percentage of the inmates’ work income goes to help defray their cost of incarceration. The inmates are also required to pay a portion of their sal-ary for any child support, court costs or fines and restitution they may owe,” Thomas said. “Some of them enroll in college classes or try to complete their

Winter 2013 Page 11

GED if they don’t have their high school diploma while they are here.”

With an eye to rehabilitation of offenders, Thomas said efforts are made to meet the inmates’ needs through the programming. The maximum time in the program is 18 months. The inmates who are working have jobs on West Virginia Department of Highways crews, in construction, retail, at area restaurants as cooks, cleaning tables, as me-chanics.

“If they have specific skills, we try to match those with the job,” she said.

By: Pamela Brust, Parkersburg News and Sentinel; February 2, 2013.

Congratulations to Ms. Heather Hepburn, (pictured above left, with Warden Thomas) who recently was promoted from Correctional Counselor I to Corrections Program Specialist. Heather recently received the Employee of the Quarter Award for Parkersburg Correctional Cen-ter. Heather’s contribution and dedication to duty as Institutional Parole Officer was without equal. Heather took on the additional task of initiating and coordinating a Community Service Program at Parkersburg Correctional Center. Due to her efforts, the inmates of Parkersburg Correctional Center have provided over 6,000 hours of community service to the Wood County Historical Society, Humane Society, Salvation Army, St Paul’s United Method-ist Church, and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Addi-tionally she organized and operate a Clothes Closet for the inmate population.

Congratulations and “Thank You Heather”for a job well done!

Submitted By: Warden Anne Thomas, PBCC

Johnson Controls, Inc. and City Windows and Doors have completed the door upgrade at Denmar Correctional Center. The improvements were much needed and much appreci-ated. In addition, Johnson Controls, Inc. has completed the Lighting Retrofit Project.

Staff from Parkersburg Correctional Center including (left to right): Barry Wren, Leigha Cottrell, Linda Lattea and Tab Brown take a “photo opp” with WV Governor, Earl Ray Tomblin (cen-ter)

Parkersburg Correctional Center Updates, Continued...

New Doors at Denmar

Winter 2013 Page 12

Lakin Receives New Trainee’s

In January 2013, nine puppies arrived at Lakin Correctional Center to begin their training through Paw-4-People/Paws-4-Vets conducted by the inmates. These puppies will be trained for individuals with disabilities and for veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome.

CCI Philip Putney is seen here with the new trainees.

On January 15, 2013, at the monthly Warden’s Meeting at Lakin Correctional Center, forty-one staff members received Attendance Awards for the Year 2012. Twelve staff members received the Exceptional Attendance Award whereby the staff member used no sick leave for the entire year and twenty-nine staff members received the Excellent Attendance Award for using three days or less of sick leave for the year. Staff receving both awards are pictured below.

Lakin Announces Attendance Awards for 2012

COII Christopher Delaney, COII Caleb Davis, Cpl. Nathan Hannah, CCI Tif-fany Varian and Capt. Kevin Dugan.Second Row left to right: Lt. David Rees, COII Jennifer Cheney and Sgt. Joseph Riffle.Third Row left to right: Warden Lori Nohe, OAII Cheryl Gerlach, Supervisor I Vanessa Queen, Supervisor I Courtney Roush, OAII Donna Bush, Records Supervisor Mary VanMeter and COII John Smithson.Fourth Row left to right: CM William Lewis, Chaplain Mark Morrow, CCII Staci Bain, Facility Maintenance Supervisor Jim Brooks, Deputy Warden JD Sallaz, Supervisor II Stephen Duncan and Cpl. Robert Johnson.

Left to right: Lt. Anthony King, COII Dottie Fields, COII Kelly Bolin and Lt. Angela LatheySecond Row left to right: COII Joshua Bascue, Cpl. Bradley Snyder, Cpl. Joseph Thornton and AWP Craig Roberts

Left to right: COII Gregory Kinnaird, COII Lucas Edwards and Sgt. Timothy Halley.Second row left to right: COII Kenneth Greenlee, Capt. Gregory Dickenson and COII Jonathan Dillon

Not pictured: Substance Abuse Counselor II Robert Up-degrave. Sgt. Ryan Edwards, Lt. Brenda Livingston, UM Jessica Lloyd and Investigator Robin Ramey.

Winter 2013 Page 13

On Sunday, December 8, 2012, em-ployees from St. Marys Correctional Center (SMCC) once again joined forces with law enforcement officers from Wood County for the annual Shop with a Cop event. 100 children from the Wood County area were

escorted throughout Vienna WalMart and Southside WalMart with a $100 gift card to purchase gifts of their choice. SMCC employees and inmates participated in a Krispy Kreme Donut fundraiser and raised over $1200 for this year’s event, selling 385 dozen donuts. SMCC employees that volun-teered for this year’s event included Warden Patrick Mirandy, AWP Jack Stollings, CM/IMC Amanda Ander-son, CPS Russell Maston and COII Misty Sparks. Also, Cpl. Barry Wren, COII Jodi Gorrell and Secretary Ra-mona Snyder from PBCC assisted this year.

Employees from SMCC went to North Pleasants Christian School and Pleas-ants County Middle School for Drug Awareness week in October. Students and faculty from the schools learned about the dangers of drugs and alco-hol, and were able to see K9 demon-strations. Attending from K9 were Sgt. Brian Moler and Patrol K9 Viggo and CDS K9 Kilo, Cpl. Pam Taylor and CDS K9 Hank, Cpl. Andy Nething and Patrol K9 Debo and CDS K9 Zeus. Also attending were Warden Patrick Mirandy, AWS John Anderson, Capt. Sean Markey, CM/IMC Amanda An-derson, CPS Russell Maston and COII Patrick Hooper. Students and teachers were able to ask questions about the presentation and interact with SMCC staff afterwards.

Lakin Correctional Center Employee Association sponsored a “Christmas Canned Food Drive” competition beginning December 1 thru Decem-ber 19, 2012, for the Mason County Food Bank in Pt. Pleasant, WV. The competition was held between the different departments, i.e. Administra-tion, Medical, Education, Operations, Admin. Uniform Staff, each Shift and Contractual Staff. The winner of the competition would receive a Pizza Party supplied by the Employee As-sociation.

On December 19, 2012, a total of 974 cans of food were donated and trans-ported by staff to the Food Bank in Pt. Pleasant. After totaling the num-bers the Administration staff won the competition and were awarded a pizza lunch on Friday, January 25, 2013. Mason County Food Bank was very appreciative of the facilities time and efforts.

St. Mary’s Correctional Center Updates

Winter 2013 Page 14

Lakin Correctional Center UpdatesAt the end of November 2012, Supervisor I Becky Plants (pictured in center of photo on right) became the Project Coordinator for the “Special Olympic Scarf Project.” This project involved the inmates at Lakin Correctional Center, with the assistance of Correctional Superintendent Valerie Roberts and her Industry Inmate workers, crocheting and knit-ting a total of 380 scarves for the following states: West Virginia, Texas, Kentucky and Oklahoma. Each of the states chose two (2) colors for the scarves to be made and specific measurements to follow. Each of the scarves will be used by a participant in the Special Olympics in their respective states. Only 19 states participated in the Scarf Project. A donation of $750.00 was received from Precisioned Components, LLC in Apple Grove, WV and another $150.00 was received from Kompak 2, in Clarksburg, WV to purchase the yarn and fleece to make the scarves. The scarves were shipped to their respective states on January 18, 2013.Director of Field Services for Special Olympics in West Virginia, Kellie Aikman sent a letter of appreciation to Ms. Plants, stating: “We know the inmates put a lot of time and work into each one of the scarves; we consider this a true labor of love.”

The Facility Character Profile (FCP) Groups at Lakin Correctional Center, “Barrier Breakers and Communicators”, de-signed and implemented the Challenge Coin in December 2012. The Challenge Coin is given to a staff member that has demonstrated a great credit upon themselves, Lakin Correctional and the Division of Corrections on, or off duty. Through the FCP Committee’s criteria staff members nominate another staff member for the Challenge Coin. The Committee makes a decision on the nominees, at which time they are then presented the coin by their respective individual staff mem-ber who made their nomination at the next Warden’s Monthly Meeting. On February 8, 2013, two staff members were honored with the Challenge Coin: Congratulations Cpl. John Ross and COII Robert Brewer!

Kneeling from left to right: COII Jeremiah Woodall, Standing left to right: Deputy Warden, JD Sallaz, UM Stephen Roush, CCI Trina Smith, COII Robert Brewer, Investigator Robin Ramey and Cpl. John Ross.

Winter 2013 Page 15

NEW EMPLOYEESFName LName Title FacilityBrian Biesemeyer COII ACCJoshua Bostic COI ACCKristen Evans COI ACCJanet Nelson OAII ACCStephanie Pritt COI ACCTra Stacy COI ACCCharles Surbaugh COI ACCJordan Tingler COI ACCJoshua Tolley COI ACCJay Jennings FEMT BCCJames Lockhart COI BCCTravis Meadows COI BCCMelissa Richmond Unit Manager BCCAmy Boggs Adm. Ser. Asst. III COJoanne Henson Auditor II COCliff Oravec Adm. Ser. Asst. I COTrish Watson Adm. Ser. Asst. I COTodd Boylen COI HCCRandall Canfield COI HCCHillary Channell OAII HCCJoseph Gainer Bldg. Maint. Supv.I HCCAlexander Hartle COI HCCCory Langley COI HCCJustin LeMasters COI HCCDeobrah McCauley COII HCCWilliam Popojas COI HCCApril Pratt COI HCCCoty Rexrode COII HCCShannon Smith COII HCCTravis Blessing COI LCCRobert Brewer COI LCCTammy Brooks Rec. Specialist LCCClarence Dugan COI LCCChad Helms COI LCCNathan Hester COI LCCBethany Long COI LCCHeather Smith COI LCCCharles Sullivan COI LCCRyan Ashley COII MOCCKevin Baker COI MOCCJames Blankenship COI MOCCClifton Carr COI MOCCJames Dodrill COI MOCCSamuel Gray COII MOCCMelanie Hamrick OAII MOCCTakeesha Jenkins CCI MOCCHomer Jones Electrician MOCCRicky Jones COII MOCCAnthony Kidd COII MOCCTerry Kinder COII MOCCCorey Mays COII MOCCRita McGuffin OAII MOCCEric Ramsey COI MOCCAaron Sargeant COII MOCCLeslie Smith OAII MOCCApril Stevens COII MOCCBrittany Taylor COII MOCCJames White COI MOCCNate Wright COII MOCCChristopher Wynegar COII MOCCRicky Miller COII OCCCErika Blackburn Parole Officer ParoleJoshua Croaff Parole Officer ParoleJessica Marsh Parole Officer ParoleStephen Doll COI PCCAlyssa Miller COII PCCCody Moore COI PCCMichael Schrauder COI PCCJessica Billiter COI SMCCJoyce Casto COI SMCCGreogry Claypoole COI SMCCCarol Hanscome COI SMCCZach Stoneking COI SMCCJames Utt COI SMCCAndrew Wayne COI SMCCTaylor Wetzel COI SMCCJeremiah Willey COI SMCC

PROMOTIONSFName LName New Position FacilityShawn Carden COIV ACCRaymond Glazzard COV ACCArron Cutlip COIV DCCJoseph Sterns COIII DCCRaymond Bennett Bldg. & Grounds Mgr. HCCJustin Close COIII HCCSteve Hamrick COV HCCAndrew Hinchman COIII HCCRicky Martin COIII HCCTravis Winans COIII HCCAmanda Wright OAIII HCCJames Brooks Bldg. & GroundsMgr. LCCAnthony Rowe COIII LCCBradley Snyder COIII LCCJeremy Arbogast COIII MOCCPaul Donelson COIII MOCCAndrea Evans SAT I MOCCWendy Hight COIII MOCCSharon Holcomb Supervisor I MOCCJane Lucas Accounting Tech III MOCCJohn Nottingham COIV MOCCKen Rose Case Manager MOCCKelli WinebrennerPayroll Assistant MOCCNathan Withrow COIII MOCCJohn Clemens COII OCCCBruce Schultz COII OCCCJohn Tork COII OCCCDave Luttrell Cpl. PCCChad Beaver COII SMCCKendra Berga Cor. Prg. Spec. SMCCBrenda Casey Secretary II SMCCRusty Damron COII SMCCPaul Gordon COIV SMCCJoseph McDonlad COII SMCCAnthony Molden COII SMCCGavin Renner Cor. Counselor II SMCCMelissa Richards COII SMCCRoger Steele COII SMCCMichael Thomas COII SMCCClark Villers Electrician Tech III SMCCBetty West Cor. Counselor II SMCC

AWARDSFname Lname Award FacilityBilly Boggs Employee of 2nd Quarter ACCRobert Cox Employee of 1st Quarter ACCAlice Irvine Employee of 4th Quarter ACCTelford Scott Employee of 3rd Quarter ACCScott Trent Employee of the 4th Quarter DCCIvan Bell Employee of the Month (Feb) HCCThomas Bennett Jr. Gung Ho Award (Academy) HCCJon Burns Employee of the Month (Jan) HCCRobert Channell Employee of the Month (Dec) HCCJoseph Close Good Conduct Award HCCJames George Good Conduct Award HCCJoAnn Gilardi Good Conduct Award HCCChristopher Gilgenast Employee of the Month (Feb) HCCCynthia Graziani Good Conduct Award HCCWilliam Green Lead Trainer (Academy) HCCStephen Hamrick Good Conduct Award HCCThomas Harlan Employee of the Quarter HCCScott Hedrick Good Conduct Award HCCHoward Howell Iron Man (Academy) HCCGlenn Johnson Jr. Good Conduct Award HCCRicky Martin Good Conduct Award HCCRoger Neely Good Conduct Award HCCCarrie Nuzum Good Conduct Award HCCWilliam Phillips Sr. Good Conduct Award HCCDelbert Poling Good Conduct Award HCCShannon Shiflett Good Conduct Award HCCAmanda Simmons Commandant’s List (Academy) HCCCasey Stiles Good Conduct Award HCCGreogry Tallman Good Conduct Award HCCTravis Taylor Good Conduct Award HCCJames Brooks Employee of the Month (Dec) LCC

James Brooks Employee of the 4th Quarter LCCDawn Cochran Good Conduct Award LCCStephen Duncan Good Conduct Award LCCJanice Durst Good Conduct Award LCCJonathan Fowler Employee of the Month (Jan) LCCJessica Lloyd Employee of the Month (Oct) LCCDavid Martin Good Conduct Award LCCVanessa Queen Good Conduct Award LCCJustin Rollins Good Conduct Award LCCMichael Ross Employee of the Month (Jan) LCCAnthony Rowe Good Conduct Award LCCTabitha Stanley Employee of the Month (Feb) LCCNesba Tench Employee of the Month (Nov) LCCSherry Thomas Employee of the 3rd Quarter LCCChristopher Baughey Commandant’s List (Academy) MOCCMichael Blagg Employee of the Month (Feb) MOCCRobert Blethen Academic Excellence (Academy) MOCCDeborah Donahue Employee of the 4th Quarter MOCCTakeesha Jenkins Academic Excellence (Academy) MOCCDianne Martin Employee of the Month (Dec) MOCCMichael Neese Good Conduct Award MOCCBrenda Norvell Employee of the Month (Jan) MOCCDavid Stephenson Good Conduct Award MOCCAllen Utt Employee of the Quarter OCCCTammy Setler Employee of the Month (Dec) PCCBobbie Smith Good Conduct Award PCCDebbie Young Employee of the Month (Nov) PCCClifford Lamp Employee of the Month (Mar) SMCCKarol Payne Employee of the Month (Jan) SMCCDavid Ray Employee of the Month (Feb) SMCC

FYI (For Your Inspiration)

Winter 2013 Page 16

LCC Christmas Party

The Annual Family Staff Christmas Party, sponsored by the Lakin Correc-tional Center Employee Association, was held on December 13, 2012, for all DOC, Contractual Staff and their families. Santa Claus and his Elves arrived on a fire truck from the New Haven Fire Department with lights and siren driven by Stephen Duncan, Fire and Safety Manager, and accompanied by his wife Stacy, Business Manager at LCC. Santa was played by Cpl. Anthony Rowe and the two Elves were COII Dottie Fields and Alexis Price (daughter of COII Julie Price).

The party was held in the Visitation Room which had been decorated in ad-vance by inmates. Approximately 104 Staff Members and their Families were in attendance.

RetirementsHuttonsville Correctional Center

Lt. Chuck Collett retires after 25 years of service!

Lt. Chuck Collett started his career in 1987 and in November 1989 he was assigned to the K9 Unit at Huttons-ville Correctional Center as a Patrol Canine Handler. While serving as a Patrol Canine Handler from 1998 to 2003, he had at least a dozen appre-hensions of escapee’s to his credit. Chuck has been a canine trainer since 1994. He was also a K9 Unit Officer in Charge from 1996-2007. Chuck was instrumental in conducting a cost saving pilot project in which “green” canines were trained at the Training Center. Chuck was also instrumental in working in different breeds of ca-nines in the program. Chuck retired in December after 25 years of service.

Lakin Correctional Center

Dowell began his K-9 career with the Division of Corrections in March 2004 at Lakin Correctional Center and was certified as a Controlled Dangerous Substance K-9. Cpl. John Ross became his handler in Septem-ber 2007. Cpl. Ross stated, “My favorite memories with Dowell were on road trips and operations, just me and him, because of all the laughs and fun.”

Dowell retired in January 2013 and is living comfortably with Cpl. Ross and his family. Cpl. Ross stated, “I could not have asked for a better partner over the past 6 years. He started out a bit rocky but we have developed such a bond and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

LCC Cpl. Anthony Rowe, COII Dottie Fields and Alexis Price

Cpl. Anthony Rowe and Ella Wright (OAII Loraine Wright’s daughter)

Lt. Collett receiving an award for K-9 Handler of the Year 2011, pictured here with Commissioner Rubenstein, Deputy Commis-sioner, Jim Ielapi, and Assistant Commissioner Jan Chamberlain.

Cpl. John Ross and his K-9, Dowell.

Winter 2013 Page 17

The Corrections Connection is a newsletter published quarterly by the

WV Division of Corrections Office of Research & Planning

WV Division of Corrections1409 Greenbrier StreetCharleston, WV 25311Phone: (304) 558-2036

Fax: (304)558-5934Website: www.wv.doc.com

Jim Rubenstein, CommissionerJim Ielapi, Deputy Commissioner

Brad Douglas, DirectorRebecca Hildebrand, Research Analyst

Robert Wolfe, Research AnalystVacant, Office Assistant III

We welcome all employees to submit articles, letters, pictures, and/or ideas

to be included in future issues of the Corrections Connection.

Please send submissions to:

Rebecca Hildebrand via email (Rebecca.L.Hildebrand@wv.gov) in Microsoft Word format.

Pictures need to be saved as a bitmap (.bmp) or jpeg image and attached in a separate file.

All information received will be subject to editing.

Training and Information

InstitutionNews WestVirginia

CorrectionsConnection

Victim Awareness

Programs & Community Service

Parole Services

Parole Services UpdatesCorrections Day at the Legislature this year was viewed as a success! Parole Services was represented by Director Judy Fitzgerald, Laura Parker, Owen Scott, Bryan Thompson, Aaron Linn, Pam Sizemore, and Carolann Caudill. A demonstration was available to show the technology used to monitor offenders electronically. Several law makers stopped by to view displays and to ask ques-tions. A power point display was also available that contained current statistics.

The Elkins Parole Office has been working with the 26 Judicial Circuit Day Report Center and has referred parolee’s to various classes that were offered by KISRA, a non-profit reentry assistance group that offers free job training and other classes to offenders. The Elkins Office has this fiscal year given 22 referrals to the Day Report Center for treatment, community service, and drug testing. The staff of the Day Report Center continues to provide job referrals for parolee’s and have assisted by removing barrios for offenders. Three of the staff members from the 26th Judicial Circuit Day Report Center participated and completed the Parole Officer Scenario training Course offered by the Acad-emy.

Submitted By: Aaron Linn, NC Regional DirectorParole Services

Dennis Mynuk, former Associate Warden of Security with Denmar Correctional Center passed away on December 29, 2012, at the V.A. Medical Center in Beckley, WV. Mr. Mynuk began his career as a CO I with the DOC after retiring from the U.S. Army with 21 years service. Dennis retired on December 31, 2007 with sixteen years and seven months service for the West Virginia Division of Cor-rections. Dennis is survived by his wife Linda, son, Eric (and wife Calia) and daughter, Tati-ana and one grandson Ian.

In Memory

THANK YOU.... To the following individuals for contributing to this newsletter:

Jim Rubenstein, Susan Harding, Doug Workman, Patti Withrow, Fay Walker, David Bal-lard, Anne Thomas, Lori Nohe, Rebecca Plants, Cheryl Kaylor, Della Huddleston, Jane Haddix, Debbie Croft, Brenda Casey, Kathy Carroll, Stephanie Boyd, Amy Boggs, Mary Childers, Becky Slayton, Cheryl Chandler, Amanda Anderson , Amanda Peek, Aaron Linn,

Vannessa Davis, LouAnne Riggsby, Shelley Hanson, and Pamela Brust.Specials Thanks to: Angel Cole, Karen Nichols, Jennifer Ballard and Amanda McGrew

for their photo contributions!