Category St. Cloud Show all
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Shout Out: Officer Matthew Braun
By Jack Schilling
I would like to recognize Officer Matthew Braun for his excellence in interpersonal communications and relations that he models each day. I have had the pleasure of working with Braun on several occasions but none of them prepared me for the experience that I had with him one night in segregation.
The night that I was scheduled in segregation, Braun was saddled with two newer utility staff and one overtime fill-in who, though familiar with the unit, was not a usual 3rd watch staff and was not completely fluid in the 3rd watch schedule for the unit. I had not worked in segregation for months and the other utility staff was usually assigned a different post, so, we were both in need of remedial instruction/reminders on everything that was unique to Seg.
When two IPs arrived at the unit for processing Braun was amazingly calm, concise and patient as he walked us through what each of us needed to do from the time they hit the segregation door, to the placement of evidence in custody. Braun never appeared frustrated or irritated by the fact that he had to manage the post and provide training as well. Several times he had to repeat steps for clarification or if one of us wasn't quite sure of what he had said or what exactly needed to be done, yet the whole time Braun gently encouraged us and never let us doubt our skills as an officer or our ability to be successful.
Braun is the perfect example of a well-rounded team member and leader. He is a delight to work with and assists with growing the skills of those around him whenever he can. Thank you Braun for showcasing the officer image that should be shown by all of us on a daily basis.
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Shout Out: Chaplain Mike Lamb and Food Service Staff
By Marisol Ortega
Yesterday a meal celebration was served for Eid-al-Fitr. Thanks to Chaplain Mike Lamb and all the Food Service staff, along with the IP workers who prepped and prepared the meal.
The kitchen staff took pride in serving a great meal for the IPs, it turned out fabulous! New food items were tried and well accepted for the feast. The IPs seemed to enjoy the variety of food that was offered and appreciated the opportunity to celebrate and pray together. Food Service Director Sarah Klein and Chaplain Lamb appreciated the staff who assisted to make it all run smoothly both for the celebration meal as well as the entire month of Ramadan.
Our FSD also adds: "Special thank you to Chaplain Mike Lamb who was well organized and updated us several times a day as things were changing during the month of the Ramada Fast. His attention to detail made the Ramadan process one of the best I have experienced in the 15 years of working here. Mike took the time and effort to ensure that the paperwork was correct. We did not have any complaints from the officers who delivered the meals throughout the entire Ramadan month in regard to where the IP was housed! I will give credit where the credit is due. My staff who supervised and monitored the IP's in the food service area during the Ramadan Fast (1 month). We had two IP's who prepared every single Ramadan meal. The hours of work, prep, and making sure all diets were followed (many allergies etc,). They did an outstanding job!"
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Shout Out: Officer Kautz
By Anonymous
Officer Kautz started in late 2018. After Officer Kautz graduated from both Academy and Field Training, I had the benefit of observing Officer Kautz develop on First Watch. Officer Kautz displayed, at that time, characteristics the agency hopes for all newer officers to possess. Characteristics like motivation, open mindedness, maturity, as well as treating the incarcerated population in a firm, fair, and consistent manner.
Presently, Officer Kautz works in Segregation on Third Watch. Officer Kautz has been working in Segregation for quite some time now. It is quite common to find her training newer officers, assisting others with daily unit necessitates, and taking the role of Officer in Charge on days the Sergeant isn't present. Officer Kautz assists greatly with keeping Segregation punctual even on the evenings the facility is found more active with incidents.
Officer Kautz routinely presents herself, the agency as well, in a professional manner. Officer Kautz's uniform is found squared away and pressed. It is easy to observe that when Officer Kautz talks to the Incarcerated Population it is done in a respectful and interpersonal manner. Officer Kautz still possesses the same characteristics as when she started, years later. Officer Kautz sets a good example for all to look up to on Third Watch.
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Shout Out: St. Cloud Carpentry Crew
By Sara Stueve, St. Cloud Librarian
MCF-SCL Library wants to give a big SHOUT OUT to Ross Fleck, Carpenter, and his IP workers for a fantastic job on building new library book return bins for the treatment units, Unit Bx and Unit Rx!
The previous bins were in bad shape and too small to return larger books. The new bins look amazing!!!!
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St. Cloud Welcomes March Academy
By Marisol Ortega
Please join SCL Executive Staff on congratulating March's graduating academy.
L-R: CO W. Morris, AWO S. Rykken, CO S. Lydeen, Special Teacher K. Illies, Warden J. Pugh, CO A. Hardy, CO R. Simar, CO M. Vang, AWA D. Raden, Capt. J. Holm, Plummeer A. Kirpach, HRD J. Thelen.
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Shout Out: St. Cloud's Daniel Tovo
By Ryan Simar
Tovo is an amazing staple of MCF-SCL. He is an upstanding pillar to the DOC, he aids and helps trainees, plus his unique training methods help new people learn and retain knowledge.
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Shout Out: Officer Reno
By Anonymous
Officer Reno started his career in 2019 at MCF-SCL. Officer Reno started his career as a young adult, and it has been great to see Officer Reno develop though the years not only as a person but as an Officer.
Officer Reno works third watch, and you can find him working any post on the watch without any complaints. Officer Reno understands the needs of the facility, and how those needs may demand us to change assignments with little notice. In the times of short notice, Officer Reno has demonstrated the ability to adapt, help, and provide a can-do attitude amongst staff he works with. This demonstration provides a great example for newer security staff to learn flexibility as well as how positive attitude may span to others.
What continues to amaze me is one of the many abilities Officer Reno possesses, the ability to continue learning new things and taking lessons from senior staff. Over the years, it appears that Officer Renos passion for being more knowledgeable and wiser has only grown. And this characteristic that Officer Reno displays is seen by security staff with varying years of service. Officer Reno motivates me to combat complacency, inspires others to challenge themselves and encourages staff to reach out for help.
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Shout Out: Lieutenant Fadling
By Anonymous St. Cloud Uniformed Staff
When I started Lieutenant Fadling was an officer in Segregation. Although when I had first started, I didn't get to work with him more then a few times (after going online I went to first watch). It must be noted, the few times I had the opportunity to work with him I noticed his ability to lead less experienced officers and lead offenders that wanted to be better in Segregation. Fadling also had an interpersonal way to communicating with staff that allowed staff to feel they were recognized and part of a team.
I really got to know Lieutenant Fadling when he promoted to Sergeant on Third Watch. Lieutenant Fadling was a regular relief Sergeant on Saint Clouds A-Team. When Lieutenant Fadling was a Sergeant, he always made sure that A-Team was safe. Lieutenant Fadling always communicated to the A-Team in a way everyone understood. Lieutenant Fadling was always excellent at discussing both the agenda for the day as well as organizing staff in demanding incidents. It was the way Fadling had presented himself, and expressed himself that brought the best out of officers without demanding it.
Lieutenant Fadling isn't just a man of well communication, Lieutenant Fadling leads by example. Lieutenant Fadling would never delegate something he wouldn't do himself. Lieutenant Fadling would move food carts on modified facility days just as he would be found helping to get rid of garbage from the units. No task was below him. Frequently he was found supporting staff, not just by words but through action. No policy, or rule, that an officer enforced went without his support. Many staff, including myself, noticed and it inspired us to do more.
Furthermore, Lt Fadling also displayed great leadership with offenders. Lieutenant Fadling had the ability to de-escalate offenders and help them with their critical-thinking abilities.
Lieutenant Fadling had recently promoted to his current rank, and I hope that this nomination helps him gain more recognition from the agency for the excellent leadership he has shown all of us at MCF-SCL for at least the last 7 years I've been here.
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Shout Out: Sergeant Jared Ethen
By Jack Schilling
Shout out to Sgt. Jared Ethen for his leadership in living unit E and his continued guidance of new staff on living unit policies and procedures.
Ethen is one of the most patient Sergeants with new staff as well as with those incarcerated in the unit as they adjust to prison life. He also continuously checks in on his staff throughout his shift and inspires as well as motivates with his positive attitude.
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Shout Out: Sergeant Thielbar
By Cassandra Warner
Sergeant Thielbar went above and beyond training the MCF-St. Cloud overnight nursing staff. He also made sure that they felt comfortable on the shift and showed them the 1st watch staff. He also took them on tours throughout the prison and was very approachable. The 1st watch staff was welcoming and appreciative of the new overnight nursing staff.
