Category Stillwater Show all
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Congrats to WOOC Captains Oeterrer and Salas
By Dan Moe
MCF-Stillwater Captain WOOC – Captain Oetterer will be starting May 8, 2024 and be the WOOC Captain through September 24. On September 25th Captain Salas will start and go through March 26 of 2025.
Captain Oetterer brings over 23 years of experience with the department, having worked at multiple facilities of all classification levels. He has been an major part of the DOC SORT and SOG emergency response teams for the past decade, previously serving as the commander of ERT. Currently a Lieutenant at Rush City, his wealth of knowledge and experience will be a valuable addition to MCF-STW. Please join me in welcoming him as he assumes the WOOC role starting May 8th.
Captain Salas will begin her role on September 25th. She began her career at MCF-STW and has remained dedicated to our institution. Holding a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Concordia University, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new position.
Captain Salas is committed to remaining an asset within the Department of Corrections (DOC) by utilizing her developed management skills and abilities accumulated throughout her career. With a passion for the corrections field, she focuses on leading within the department to contribute to a positive and safe environment for both incarcerated individuals and staff. She is also a strong advocate for women in corrections.
Please join us in welcoming Captain Salas as she takes on this new role.
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Please Welcome Brandi Tellijohn as the New OAS-Senior for MCF-Stillwater Operations
By Dan Moe
Please join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Brandi Tellijohn, who comes to us with a wealth of qualifications and experience.
With over 23 years of administrative experience, including more than 11 years in the legal field, Brandi brings a deep understanding of processes and requirements.
Her excellent interpersonal and communication skills will be invaluable in our team environment. We are thrilled to have Brandi join us.
She will start in the new employee academy on May 8, 2024.
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Donation to the U of M Raptor Center Made in Memory of Officer Joe Gomm
By Lieutenant Cory Felda
On April 15th, a $10,000 donation was made to the University of MN Raptor Center in memory of Officer Joe Gomm EOW 7/18/18. The donation was the culmination of a year-long fundraiser through the sale of Joe Gomm Memorial Challenge Coins, clothing and tumblers, as well as private donations. The donation is being utilized directly for the medical care and treatment of an American Kestrel being housed at the Raptor Center, and a plaque has been attached to it's cage in tribute to Officer Gomm.
"In the days before his death, Joe Gomm delievered a pair of injured birds to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center after the chicks had fallen out of their nest on prison grounds. On the last day of his life, Joe emailed the Raptor Center to inquire the status of the two Americal kestrels, the smallest and most common type of falcon in North America. On July 25th (2018), the day before Gomm's memorial service, the two birds were released outside prison grounds as a living tribute to Joe's heroic legacy." (Officer Joseph Gomm Tribute, 2018)
Another donation will be made on 7/18/24 from continued sales of coins and tumblers. For questions about the fundraiser or making a donation, please contact Lt. Cory Felda at Cory.Felda@state.mn.us. Direct donations to the Raptor center are also accepted; any given in his honor will only be used for the care of his kestrel.
Officer Gomm's memorial on his kestrel's enclosure 
Photo of the two kestrels Officer Gomm saved in 2018 
Photos of the kestrel that has been saved in Officer Gomm's honor. -
Shout Out: Stillwater 2nd Watch Segregation Security Staff
By Rachel Culver, Case Manager
I want to recognize the work of the Security Staff assigned to MCF-Stillwater's Segregation Unit on Friday, April 12, 2024.
The Security Staff not only accommodated the four legal calls for Case Management that morning, but also the myriad of medical appointments, intakes, and construction that were happening as well. The Security Staff remained extremely professional and were able to accommodate the legal calls in a timely manner.
The 2nd Watch Segregation Security Staff were Officer Lent, Officer Porter, Sgt. Steele, Officer Harrington, Officer Domenick, Officer Adams, and Officer Newkirk.
Thank you 2nd Watch Segregation Security Staff! Your hard work was appreciated.
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Still Waters Run Deep Update
By Marina Fuhrman
The tattoo program has exciting news! Both apprentices received their temporary licenses and started tattooing real skin! Initially, they will be practicing on themselves and each other, and with more experience will start taking clients.
Some thoughts from our apprentices:
Daniel G.
“I am truly honored to be a part of this great program! I've learned so much in just these few short months than I have in many of the years I have been incarcerated. I've learned to expand my horizons as an artist and strive to always be better then I was. I've learned to look past the barriers between people and be more open to communications and dialogs both on a professional level and on a more personal one. I've learned to respect my own body and the bodies of others by not tattooing outside of a professional area without proper procedures and knowledge because it is dangerous. I've learned that finding one's purpose in life, true purpose for the self, is a key in rehabilitation. I am so thankful to those who helped build and support this program! You all have given me a sense of hope and direction for my future. I am truly excited to give back and contribute with the best of my ability both in my prison community now and my outside community one day. Lastly my thanks and gratitude go to Justin for his efforts. Its always inspiring to see people actually care".
Courtney O.
“My experience in the Tattoo program has been educational, inspiring and life changing. Over the past few months, I have had the privilege to learn about the history of tattooing, the tattoo industry and becoming a tattoo artist. We have studied topics such as bloodborne pathogens/cross contamination procedures, artistic growth, and professionalism to name a few; But this program has not been just about tattooing. It has also been about integrity, respect, and honesty. Throughout these past few months, this program has given me hope, purpose and a positive outlook on life; as well as positively effecting my mental health. I hope to one day be able to have an impact on people through a program such as this one and change someone's life for the better. Thanks to Justin (my mentor) I have also learned the importance of having true passion and dedication for the things you want to achieve in life. No matter how small or how big the challenge is, if you start it FINISH IT. Because there is always something to learn when facing a challenge. Overall, I want to thank Justin for believing in me and giving me this unreal opportunity to be involved with the program. I also want to thank every single person that had a hand in creating this program and entrusting us (inmates) to make it successful".
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Shout Out: Stillwater First Watch staff
By Kevin Ormsby
During first watch, which can be particularly demanding, our team at Stillwater has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to providing essential services to our facility. This includes delivering bottled water to inmates, assisting with feeding units, and fulfilling various other requests from the facility.
Despite limited staff and challenging circumstances, first watch officers have efficiently handled these tasks without hesitation, ensuring the well-being of our population.
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MCF-Stillwater Art Show and Sale
By Jo Ann M. Erickson, MCF-Stillwater Facility Education Director
We are pleased to announce an upcoming opportunity for all DOC staff and members of the public to view and purchase art from the Stillwater Art Program.
When:
- Wednesday, March 20 ~ 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Thursday, March 21 ~ 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Where:
- MCF-Stillwater's Warden's House
- 970 Pickett Ave N, Bayport, MN 55003
We encourage everyone to stop in to see the amazing work that our art students have created. If you know of others in the community that would be interested in this event, please let them know that the public is welcome.
All art show items will also be for sale. Check or cash only. Items will be available to the buyer at the time of purchase.
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Stillwater's Denise Companion-Kearns Promoted to Exec. 2
By Warden William Bolin
Denise has worked in the MN DOC for over 27 years. She began her career as an OAS-I in January 1996. Denise promoted to the OAS-S of Operations in April 2017. She will begin her Exec 2 position effective Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Congratulations Denise!
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Shout Out: Stillwater Case Manager Eric Hestness
By CPD Alisha Lacina
SHOUT OUT to MCF-Stillwater's Case Manager, Eric Hestness, for stepping up and taking on extra work during our staffing shortfall in Transitions! His initiative, problem-solving skills, and adaptability has allowed Reentry programming to continue with minimal disruption.
Thank you for your exceptional work ethic and willingness to put in the extra effort.
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SORT Baton Instructor-Basic Course Held
By Jay Olson
On January 11th, eight Special Operations Response Team members graduated from the 16-hour Baton Instructor - Basic Course that was conducted at MCF-Stillwater.
The 16-hour course curriculum included policy & procedure, program review, coaching/instructional techniques, and training ground management. In addition, the Office of Professional Accountability presented on the Use of Force investigate process.
Captains Lisa Connors (OPH), Mike Pavlich (STW), and Amanda Hofer (STW) were on hand to assist with the graduation ceremony and to provide congratulatory remarks. Captain Pavlich thanked the new instructors and stated that he is “always appreciative of the hard work and professionalism of DOC SORT."
New Instructors: William Blossom (ML), Casey Ciffra (FRB), Adam Figi (RW), Mike McCorkel (OPH), Scott Roemer (OPH), Cade Stang (SCL), Andrew Sunder (FRB) and Nathan Wegman (FRB).
