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  • Lino Lakes Holds Redemption Project Graduation

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    By Latoya Shelby

    The Redemption Project graduation ceremony of the Virtues of Success program at the MCF-Lino Lakes took place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

    Virtues for Success is a 14-week course covering four core pillars: wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice. This is the first of three stages of the program. The Redemption Project's reentry program prepares the students for success upon leaving prison with the goal of reducing recidivism.

    TRP Graduates:

    Elliott Pierson, Andrew Neal, Calvin Boswell, Christopher Ames, Neil Klien, Bobby Brookins, James Slowinski, Seth Dilorenzo, Timothy Strand, Daniel Kennedy, Miguel Lopez, Malcolm Olatunde, David Engle, Yar Bithow, Tony Xiong, Green Kelly, Dylan Wettschreck, Jason Dixon, Michael Peterson, Leroy Richardson, Ron Powell


    group of program graduates standing with DOC staff

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  • Ilyssa Siegal Receives Employee Recognition Award Nomination

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    By Nicole Cole

    Ilyssa is so great to collaborate with regarding clients. Her insight, therapeutic direction, and willingness to go above and beyond has been really refreshing here at the DOC. She is also willing to go above and beyond within the team. What the team is needing, she steps up to do. She has covered groups and classes either for the day or even short term coverage when we have been down staff. She is also there for the team with extra support with a client, she steps up and does it. Her clinical input is also so helpful and appreciated.


    group of corrections staff standing in front of wallL to R: Captain Eric Knies, Captain Chad Oye, AWO Mary McComb, CPT Nicole Cole, Psychologist Ilyssa Siegal, CPD Samantha Ortman, Warden Shannon Reimann, AWA Vicki Janssen & Captain John Kelly.

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  • Lino Lakes CISM Training Event

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    By Lt. Jessica Johnson

    When presented with the opportunity, the MCF-Lino Lakes CISM Team: Sgt. David Craig, Sgt. David Neubarth, Transitions Coordinator Beth Kirk, Sgt. Julius Eyong, Sgt. Josh Kubiszewski, COII Jared Jokela, and Lt. Jessica Johnson, jumped at the chance to host this quarter's masters CISM training event.

    After much coordination from Peer Support staff: Roger Carr, Lydia Newlin, Sean McIntyre, and the CISM Training Committee: Amanda Biggins, Heidi Stokes, Marie Enninga, Jay Olson, Teri Hand, and Danielle Kimmes, on April 19, despite the cold, rainy weather and flooding roads, 45 of the Department's CISM and Peer Support Team members met together in person for the first time in since the onset of COVID at the MCF-Lino Lakes PFA Auditorium to discuss what CISM looks like today, the future of CISM, and the various processes that Peer Support and CISM offer.

    In addition, they learned about stress management, the importance of mental health and resiliency, along with healthy tools for releasing stress provided by speakers from Blue Peak Consulting - Dr. Margaret Gavian, and Christian Grams. Blue Peak Consulting was founded in 2012 by Dr. Margaret Gavian's deep desire to better serve those that have experienced significant stressful life experiences. Blue Peak's mission is to target mental health at its source, from executives and civilians to public safety personnel like firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and dispatch.

    The day was filled with opportunities for team members to network, support, learn from one another, and were even able to receive a video call from Sonja Cobb, a long-time team member who is still away from work following a significant assault while working overtime at her home facility of MCF-OPH. People were filled with emotion at being able to see and hear from her.

    A visit from MCF-Lino Lakes Executive Team representatives – Captain Chad Oye, John Kelly, and Safety Director Wayne Niles – was received with applause after their heartfelt message of appreciation for the work the Peer Support and CISM teams provide, and all the time volunteered by these individuals. They collectively stressed the feeling of family that co-workers have for one another and the impact that is felt when one of our own is stressed, injured, or in the worst of circumstances, dies. They impressed upon the team the importance of self-care and communication with a commitment to workplace safety, closing with gratitude and grace for the work.

    The day closed with hopes for the future, growth of our team, and plenty of suggestions for impactful strategies for messaging the resources available to staff.


    group sitting at table attending training

    group sitting at table attending training

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  • Shout Out: Lino Lakes Higher Education Graduation Event Staff

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    By Lt. Kipp Forschen

    During the higher education graduation held on May 2 in the Lino Lakes visitation room, several staff worked amazingly behind the scenes during a crazy day. Officers: Allison Perron, David Ashley, Zachery Copeland, and Andrew Sulugaine went above and beyond to not only make the event go off without a hitch, but worked fast-paced with critical timing. Not once did the staff complain or balk when asked to do anything during this event.

    Because of their hard work, this was an event that received a lot of praise by the 40+ visitors that came in to watch their loved one receive a diploma and/or certificate. Amazing job, well done!

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  • Lino Lakes Celebrates 2023 C-Tech Graduates

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    By Randall Bergman

    Ten more proud graduates. Ten more chances for a brighter future.

    Ten more examples of what we can do.

    C-TECH at Lino Lakes facility sets its graduates up for success after leaving prison with employable skills. C-Tech Training Programs at Lino Lakes gives students hands-on, real-world training and provides industry-recognized certifications in Telecommunications, Copper Cabling, Fiber Optic Technologies, Energy Management, Grounding and Bonding Safety Techniques and 5G wireless technologies. Lino Lakes Facility addresses the labor gap in technology in the Twin Cities by teaching Lino Lakes' students employable technical skills.



    group of program graduates holding diplomas

    Left to Right: Mary McComb (AWO) Randall Bergman (Education Director) Marcus Booth, Eric Carty, Michael Wind, Alexander Brown, James Dale, Bety Rios-Christensen (Instructor)

    Not Shown: Jeffery Hookham, Otha Townsend, Dylan Young, David Pickett, Paul Trott




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  • Shout Out: Lino Lakes 3rd Watch A-Team

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    By Andrew Johnson

    On April 23rd, MCF-LL had a significant self injurious ICS on 3rd Watch. Lino's 3rd Watch A-Team did a great job responding to both parts of the ICS. Ofc. Kosloski deserves a specific shout out for using his 911 tool.

    This was a highly traumatizing event for all and I just want to give a Shout Out to everyone involved; A-Team officers, the unit Officers, and Lt. Forschen. Everyone handled this high-stress situation professionally and worked well as a team.

    Great work team!

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  • Lino Lakes' TRIAD 200 Team Receives Employee Recognition Award Nomination

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    By Latoya Shelby

    The following anonymous nomination was submitted for an Employee Recognition Award in the category Team Recognition.

    The outpatient treatment team planned and implemented a graduation ceremony for those incarcerated people who had recently graduated from TRIAD treatment. This ceremony included personal testimonies, Native American drumming, an outside recovery speaker, and many personal experiences from other past graduates.

    Until last month, this ceremonial recognition had not taken place. The experience was overwhelming in a positive way. Many of the graduates, and those in the audience, have never been successful at past treatment attempts. Many of them have never been recognized for their dedication to their own lives or choices. It was unbelievably heartwarming to hear examples of how these men’s lives have been positively impacted by their treatment experiences.

    Without the dedication of the T200 team, this wouldn’t have been possible. Additionally, a huge shout out to their leader, Colleen Gramling, who started with an idea and worked closely with multiple players to ensure a successful ceremony.


    group of corrections staff receiving award nominationL to R: Captain Chad Oye, AWA Vicki Janssen, Eric Hillman, Mary Hartenstein, Mark Ortner (kneeling), Colleen Gramling, Sara Pudelek (kneeling), Michael O'Neal, Rhonda Vahle, Warden Shannon Reiman & Captain John Kelly.

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  • WOOC Visiting Sergeant Promotion for Lino Lakes Joseph Motyl

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    By Latoya Shelby

    Joe Motyl began his career with the DOC in September 2013. He has worked in a variety of positions here at MCF-LL. Since 2016, Joe has been a valued member of the visiting team and began his WOOC Sergeant position on 4/21/2023. Joe states he is “excited for this opportunity, and the challenges that this brings as a WOOC Sergeant .”


    L to R: Captain Chad Oye, Captain John Kelly, Sergeant Joe Motyl, Lieutenant Kipp Forschen & Warden Shannon Reimann

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  • Lino Lakes Welcomes April Academy

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    By Latoya Shelby

    Please welcome MCF-Lino Lakes' newest academy that graduated on April 11, 2023.


    L to R: AWA Vicki Janssen, Captain Eric Knies, TDS Leah Hansen, Lt. Shannon Crittenden, AWO Mary McComb, COI Kelly Justin, OAS-I Linzy Meyer, Painter Thomas Olson, RN Traci McNamara, Captain John Kelly & OSI Investigator Matt Swanson

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  • Lino Lakes' Jackson Achieves 30 Years of Service

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    By Latoya Shelby

    Congratulations to Frank Jackson on his 30 Years of Service!


    L to R: AWA Vicki Janssen, AWO Mary McComb, CPD John Quist, Case Manager Frank Jackson, Warden Shannon Reimann & Captain Chad Oye

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