Holly VanPelt wrote in to thank Albert Lea District Staff who came together for a food drive. Here's what they had to say:

The Albert Lea District Staff recently conducted a Fall Food Drive where they collected items to be donated to their local food pantries. I just wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU! Your service to your communities day in and day out as well as your commitment to helping those you serve is something I am proud to be a part of!

Thank you for submitting this, Holly!

Balinda Bailey wrote in to show gratitude for team member Laurie Gunelius. Here's what she had to say:

The work never slows down! From MCA, MMB- CORE courses, Conferences, AHA Instructor Fees, Training Equipment and more. We can always count on Laurie to patiently explain what needs to be done, when details are missed. Her respectful communications and helpful nature are greatly appreciated by the Employee Development team.

Thank you for submitting this Balinda!

By Captain Martin Dahlen

MCF-Faribault Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee is dedicated to our veterans, military families and support that is needed. There are many ways these needs arise: financial, wellness, stress, and mental health. MCF-FRB Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee dedicated many hours, countless conversations, boosting morale through precise focus on raising funds for Mission 22.

Mission 22 was founded by Veterans. Mission 22 staff are Veterans, spouses of Veterans, or have immediate family members who have served in the US military. MCF-FRB teamed with Mission 22 to raise funds for their awareness, suicide prevention and needed Veteran support.

October 7, 2023, MCF-FRB offered a Ruck 22 event. Staff and volunteers donned 22-pound Ruck packs. Staff walked 2.2 miles and 22 miles as part of the fundraiser. Staff were cheered on, and families cheered on to support their loved ones.

MCF-FRB Honor guard showed their support. The Honor Guard retired the United Stated Flag. The flag was handed to MCF-Oak Park staff who attended. The flag was taken around on the Ruck 22 path. We are thankful, and moved, by both our Honor Guard and our fellow staff from MCF-OPH who attended.

The event also hosted an opportunity to get to know each other's families. There was a bouncy house on grounds for children. MCF-FRB unions provided funds for all staff attending the event. BBQ pork, BBQ chicken, smoked mac and cheese, smoked beans, and more were all served to every staff working, on all shifts, this day, as well as those in attendance.

MCF-FRB Beyond the Yellow Ribbon was able to raise $4,000 for Mission 22. We hope we also raised morale, awareness, and support for all of our staff at MCF-FRB. We are thankful for the opportunity to team with Mission 22. I grateful and humbled to work with so many fantastic individuals who continue to surprise and give hope to so many.

By Latoya Shelby

Form Sgt. Kok: I worked in the WI-DOC from 2003 until 2014 working in both a medium and maximum security institution. I then worked at a halfway house in the Twin Cities for a half year. I then began my career in the MN-DOC in January of 2015. Since then, I have worked in nearly every position at Lino and look forward to continuing to grow and learn in this new and challenging role."

By Latoya Shelby

Kristie was selected for 1^st Place in the Employee Recognition Award Program for FY2023 in the category of Outstanding Individual Performance. Kristie was unable to attend the Annual Presentation Ceremony so this award was presented to Kristie on 10/31 at 8 a.m.

By Latoya Shelby

Individuals on tour:

Wally Wallestad – Court Admin

Kate Malmon – Court Admin

Diana Miller – Project Team Lead, DOC

Sarah Knoph – Records and Sentence Administration Director, DOC

Connie Jones – Assistant Commissioner, DOC

Eric Beuning - Security Casewrkr , DOC

Leah Hanson – Central Office Records Supervisor, DOC

Matt Zehoski – Records Operation Manager, DOC

By Psychological Services Director Janel Lindgren

The Moose Lake mental health team would like to give a Shout Out to the Discipline Department's OAS, Sr., Amanda Cisar, for her role in recently assisting the coordination of an important legal meeting. With limited notice, Amanda stepped in and provided needed information to secure resources. Her quick response and willingness to take the reins on this matter is a prime example of going above and beyond, but most of all, the high-level of teamwork we strive for within the DOC.

By Justin Jimenez, Eric Hennen, Marina Fuhrman

Stillwater’s Tattoo program has officially commenced.

On October 23, 2023, classes began in Stillwater’s new tattoo shop. The journey to get to this point has taken a year and has presented many obstacles to overcome with all hands-on deck. Some of the obstacles included finding and renovating an adequate space to build a tattoo studio within the facility, identifying vendors and ordering equipment, creating assignment compensation workflow, working with other state agencies to meet all regulations and receive licensure, creating policy and security directives, creating a curriculum based educational process, and last but not least, finding qualified individuals to participate in the program and many other tasks.

This program is the first of its kind and will provide an authentic tattoo apprenticeship to Incarcerated individuals who want to pursue a career in the tattoo industry. The goals of this program are to create a healthier facility by slowing the spread of bloodborne pathogens and to reduce recidivism by providing a career path for incarcerated individuals upon release.

The program began with two tattoo apprentices with two open spots still available. Over the course of the program, the men will learn the basic tattooing principles such as understanding cross contamination, bloodborne pathogens training, professionalism and the history of tattooing to name a few.

In the future, more technical aspects such as machine function, art composition, different genres of tattooing, tattooing fake skin and ultimately leading into tattooing on skin will be learned. The tattooing instructor will also be conducting live seminars, in which a few randomly chosen staff will be tattooed, to show the apprentices firsthand techniques and knowledge of tattooing applications. The first of these live seminars will likely commence by the end of November 2023.

As we move forward with this new innovative program, we would like to take the time to thank everyone involved in this process whose hard work and support made this happen: Nanette Larson, Deputy Commissioner; William Bolin, Warden; Guy Bosch, Warden; Andrew Darling, Captain (retired); Lisa Connors, Captain;, Captain; Andrew Bischel, job assignment; Brendan Byrne, job assignment; Aaron Huntsman, facility maintenance; Dawn Paul, tools; Steve Turbeville, security; John Sofie, keys; Dan Moe, AWO; Lisa Stenseth, Warden; Jim Stodola, plumber supervisor; Tim Tarentino, maintenance; Derek Drake, maintenance supervisor; Wayne Niles, safety; Richard Specht, chief engineer; Eric Johnson, painter; Maika Xiong, HS budget/procurement; Emily Lundahl, HS budget/procurement; Sandra Tobias-Kotyk, HS budget/procurement; Andy Skoogman, communications; Chris Tollefson, electrician; Peter Gunderson, electrician; Michael Shepperson, plumbing; Patty Popp, Education; Cheri Short, Health Services; Kathy Reid, Health Services; Gabrielle Root, Health Services; Kwesi Pasley, CFO; Sarah Fitzgerald, communications; Christian Cadwell, plumber; Damian Denuccio, security; Chad Effertz, maintenance; Mary Sturm, policy; Kristi Cisar, finance; Dianna Kryzer, finance; and the staff at the MN Department of Health, Body Art Regulatory Unit.

We could not have gotten to this point without your help. Thank you!

By Associate Warden Dan Moe

On November 13th, 2023, in honor of Veterans Day, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee at MCF-STW organized a memorial ruck, commemorating our Veterans' sacrifices and raising awareness about Veteran Suicide. Led by Lt. Teeshan Harrington, the event commenced at 1300, marching around the facility for 2.2 hours and concluded at 1512 at the main entrance. Additionally, a donation box was placed in the 2nd turnkey for contributions to this cause.

A heartfelt thank you to Lt. Harrington for spearheading this and profound gratitude to all veterans for their service.

By Janelle Cheney

Thank you Heidi J. Erickson, Brandy McNally and Laurie Solvie!!!! These three are an amazing TRIAD that can move mountains, and do.

We were short staffed in their region for a period of time and they kept things flowing SEAMLESSLY for the six Counties they cover - at least they never let anyone see them sweat! While being short staffed they were also tasked with the follow-up needed pertaining to the new probation caps, in all six Counties.

These three keep things moving and have worked very hard to ensure the incoming Agent had a "clean" caseload and that everything was up to date!!! It is a great feeling knowing this support is out there and that new staff can rely on them.

They are now HARD AT IT mentoring...as is the entire Moorhead District with several new staff. Thank you to all!!!