MCF-Stillwater’s “Still Waters Run Deep” tattoo shop had a big week with their first official tattoo being applied on Tuesday and the grand opening of the shop on Thursday. Tuesday, IP apprentices Courtney Ocegueda and Daniel Gonzales eagerly watched and learned as DOC’s Justin Jimenez, the program’s director, as well as a shop owner in the community, applied an incredible memorial cat tattoo to the arm of Sergeant Joel Ecker. Stillwater staff were able to enter a drawing to be a practice subject and one staff was chosen for each of the 12 genres of tattooing. On Thursday, DOC leadership and staff from around the agency came together to support the program, and to witness the ceremonially ribbon cutting. A big shout out to Sergeant Steve Turbeville who provides security, creative suggestions of his own, and a calming presence over the shop.

Chaplain Lansdowne sent in this Shout Out to thank the Faribault Care Team.

SHOUT OUT to the FRB Care Team for loving on FRB Staff and hosting the DEC Holiday Meal. CARE TEAM GETTING AFTER IT!

And thank you for submitting this Shout Out Justin!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out for DOC staff, officers and agents, contact Rosie at rose.widell@state.mn.us.

By Stephanie Huppert

Congratulations to Physical Plant Director Doug Green on his retirement after 42 years of state service. He wil certainly be missed, best wishes on a well-deserved retirement.

By Kevin Delaney, Cisco Networking Academy, December 4th, 2023

Cisco Networking Academy empowers incarcerated women to re-enter society successfully.

“Things happen in life, and you can’t go back,” said Amie Stier, who was recently released from the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Shakopee. “All I can do is go forward.”

Helping Stier go forward is Cisco Networking Academy. After entering prison in 2019 on a non-violent drug charge, she was able to complete three levels of Networking Academy courses. Today, she’s facing the outside world with newfound confidence and hope. For Stier and other recently incarcerated women, life after prison can seem daunting. Job searches, sobriety, finding a home, and regaining custody of children are just a few of the challenges they may face. And the social stigma of prison time can undermine it all. That’s why real-world skills are so important — especially for an in-demand field like technology.

“At first, it was like learning a whole new language, a whole new world,” Stier said of her courses. Click here to read more of this article on Cisco Networking Academy's website.

By Captain Mike Pavlich

On Friday, December 1st, 13 Stillwater Officers from various shifts and departments including A-Team, B-West, and Segregation voluntarily participated in a pilot project focusing on vests. The objective is to enhance the health and safety of our staff by alleviating pressure on the hips and back. This project will be ongoing for several months as they are studied to see how the vests are enduring the ever-changing Minnesota weather.

By Jake McLellan

After nearly 38 years in corrections, Roman George is retiring. Roman started his career in DOC as a Corrections officer in 1986 and promoted throught he ranks as a CO1, 2 and eventually jumping into field services in 1990. Roman was one of the original ISR and CIP agents when both were developed in the early 90's. Roman was promoted to District Supervisor for Litchfield in 2008 and transitioned back to ISR as the supervisor in 2011. All good things must come to an end through, so is true for the marvelous and memorable contributions he has made to DOC. We wish you well Roman on your new life ahead!

Sarah Knopf, Director of Sentencing, Records and Virtual Courts, submitted this thoughtful Shout Out:

Emily and Kaireen were key collaborators in a recent scheduling need for the courts. Although the hearing scheduling included a few bumps along the way, including more urgent needs from the courts, Emily and Kaireen were able to come together to support the need. Both Emily and Kaireen have developed keen insights into the challenges and opportunities with virtual court scheduling, and graciously shared their feedback through this recent scheduling need. Input from Emily and Kaireen will play a pivotal role in supporting the onboarding of the Virtual Court Navigation team. Thank you, Emily and Kaireen. There were unusual circumstances including a holiday, and you were both kind and able to come together around the challenge.

Thanks for sending this in Sarah!

If you'd like to submit a Shout Out, contact Rosie Widell at rose.widell@state.mn.us

By Lt. Cory Felda

I just wanted to give a HUGE thank you to the MCF-SHK 3rd Watch staff who contributed to the Thanksgiving Day potluck. I was a bit uncertain initially if we would have enough food for everyone; I was very very wrong. THERE WAS SO MUCH FOOD. We even had staff who weren't working that day bring in food to contribute (Thank You AWO Wheeler and Lt. Haskamp!). All staff were fed, and refed, and some even fed a third time. And the amount of gratitude shown by everyone was overwhelming. I am extrememly grateful to be working with such a giving group of officers. THANK YOU!

The SCL Executive Team is proud to welcome this month's graduating academy for completing their 6-week training.

By AW Ian Heaslip

Congratulations to Chelsey Hoadley, Jason Kunshier and Eric Wittke as they all promote to sergeant at MCF- Moose Lake. Sgt. Hoadley will fill a valuable role in the Kitchen while Sgt. Kunshier will provide leadership in Utility- 3rd Watch. Sgt. Witke is in a work-out-of-class opportunity on Unit 52- 3rd Watch. MCF- Moose Lake is in better hands with these capable individuals!