Category Stillwater Show all
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Shout Out: OPH & STW BCA Staff
By Callie Kruschke
The BCA completed a Triennial audit of our practices recently at both MCF-Oak Park Heights and MCF-Stillwater. We were found to be in complete compliance with MNJIS/NCIC standards. The review indicated that MCF-OPH and MCF-STW exemplifies what the BCA is striving for with all agencies in Minnesota.
I want to extend a BIG congratulations to all of our staff at both facilities for their hard work and great attention to detail. We have many staff from the Support Staff positions running background checks on contractors or volunteers to our After-Hours Warrants Unit at MCF-OPH. Please know that the work you do makes the DOC look good and you can't be thanked enough for that.
I am very grateful for everyone's hard work and dedication to the MN Dept. of Corrections.
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Shout Out: Stillwater Incident Responders
By Marisa Williams
A sincere thank you SHOUT OUT to all who responded to the September 3, 2023, incident at MCF-Stillwater.
Your response and support mean more than you will ever know. I am forever grateful to be a part of the DOC Family. Please continue to take care of yourself and each other.
To all of you working in Facilities, always keep your head on the swivel because you never know. We were blessed with the outcome we had this time, and I am thankful.
To the Emergency Response Teams…. all I can say is “ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT!" You all are amazing and great at what you do!
Forget me not, Marisa Williams
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Shout Out: Stillwater Staff
By Anonymous
I would like to give a shoutout to all MCF-Stillwater staff, with everything they continue to deal with. Been almost 2 weeks since the major incident and still having to navigate media, protesters, upset family, etc. all while still reporting to work and doing their jobs. You are rockstars and keep being awesome!
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Shout Out: Stillwater Officer Russell Johannsen
By Jay S. Olson
Officer Russell Johannsen (MCF-STW) was recently appointed as Master Instructor - Weapons. In this capacity, he will help oversee a specialized area of training to include standardization of curriculum, qualifications, certifications, and measurement of training.
Johannsen has been with the DOC for 15 years, and has served as a weapons instructor for the past six years. In 2021, he was part of the large group of Subject Matter Experts that helped reformat our Use of Force programs into Response to Resistance programs.
He was selected in a competitive application process which included both an oral interview and a skills & aptitude assessment.
Officer Russell Johannsen -
Shout Out: Stillwater A-Team and B-Team
By Anonymous
Thank you to all the MCF-Stillwater A-Team and B-Team responders that responded to B-East's incident on Sunday Sept. 9th. You did a great job keeping this facility secure, each other safe, and preventing escalation.
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Shout Out: Stillwater A-Team and B-Team Responders
By Anonymous
Thank you to all the MCF-Stillwater A-Team and B-Team responders that responded to B-East's incident on Sunday Sept. 9. You did a great job keeping this facility secure, each other safe, and preventing escalation.
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Master Instructor - CT/SD Appointment
By Jay Olson
Lt. Dominic Casalenda (MCF-STW) was recently appointed as Master Instructor - Control Tactics/Self-Defense. In this capacity, he will help oversee a specialized area of training to include standardization of curriculum, qualifications, certifications, and measurement of training.
Casalenda has been with the DOC since 2011. He has been a CT/SD Instructor since 2013, and a Lead Instructor since 2015. In addition, he completed a WOOC as a Training Specialist at MCF-OPH.
He was selected from a competitive application process which included both an oral interview and a skills & aptitude assessment.
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Shout Out: Stillwater Safety Administrator Neal Lewis
By Michael Crego
Shout Out plus a huge thank you to Stillwater Safety Administrator Neal Lewis. Not only did he stay at Shakopee to help us out after his promotion began, he also came back to Shakopee for a week to help out when we were in great need. Thank you Neal, you rock!!
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Shout Out: Stillwater Prison Ministry
By Kelly Scharr
The Prison Ministry Group, Residents Encounter Christ (REC) visited MCF-Stillwater on Thursday, July 20. It is so kind of them to appreciate the hard work we do every day. The goodies and refreshments were great! We also would like to thank them for what they do for us every year and that we appreciate them as well.
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Stillwater Graduates Five Students
The sounds of applause and tears of joy filled a packed room at MCF-Stillwater on Tuesday to celebrate the tremendous achievements of students involved with the Transformation and Reentry through Education and Community (TREC) program.
Five graduates were honored at the ceremony. Four students earned a B.A. in Individualized Studies from Metro State University, including one of those students also earning a Paralegal Certificate from North Hennepin Community College, and one student received an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts from Minneapolis College.
TREC creates a pathway from GED/diploma to associates, bachelor’s degrees, and certificates for incarcerated students.
Over 95 percent of the people incarcerated with the Minnesota Department of Corrections will one day return to their communities. Research shows education is a key factor to success, increasing the odds of gaining employment and reducing recidivism.
Congratulations to the graduates, as well as our staff and partner organizations for helping make all this possible.
