By Ian Heaslip

Ofc. Steven Meyers recently retired from MCF- Moose Lake. Congratulations on over 19 years of faithful state service!

L to R - Warden Brian Collins, Ofc. Steven Meyers

By Ian Heaslip

Sergeant Marc Magnuson recently retired from MCF- Moose Lake after more than 29 years of state service!

Sgt. Magnuson began his career in 1994 at MCF- Stillwater and spent several years there before transferring to MCF- Moose Lake and completing his career there. Marc was a leader at the facility and around the department, most notably in the area of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). He led over twelve CISM sessions in the last year alone!

Thank you for your dedication and work ethic, Sgt. Magnuson!

L to R - Sgt. Marc Magnuson, Warden Brian Collins

By Melissa Paquette

Congratulations to Release Planner Sean Sisler for receiving an Employee Recognition nomination in the category of "Outstanding Individual Performance".

Sean volunteers to help every chance he gets. He is genuine in his enthusiasm and the care he has for his MAT RP position. He is always positive and uplifting. He is an amazing peer support. Sean constantly exhibits a strong work ethic and great follow-through with the clients he works with. He will go out of his way in order to help ensure that the client is getting the best care we can give.

Congratulations Sean!

L to R: Warden Tracy Beltz, Release Planner Sean Sisler, Mental Health Director Melissa Richer

By Latoya Shelby

On Wednesday, July 26, MCF-LL conducted an actual fire drill emergency evacuation of their Segregation unit. To everyone’s knowledge this was the first actual (not simulated) evacuation that Lino Lakes has ever conducted.

Seven A-Team members and four Segregation officers formulated a plan to evacuate the nine incarcerated individuals that were in Segregation at the time. Each individual was handcuffed and escorted to the Segregation courtyard where they were supervised by four security staff. All cells and pipe chases were checked for signs of smoke and/or fire.

Once the area was deemed clear, individuals were escorted back to their cells. Unclothed body searches and a special unit count were completed before the drill was deemed a success and the ICS was cleared.

Excellent work by the following team members that planned, facilitated and participated in this drill:

• Sgt. Matt Wallace
• Sgt. Dana Schmitz
• Ofc. Bill Gierke
• Ofc. Frazier Robinson
• Ofc. LeVares Pearson
• Ofc. Mike O’Fallon
• Ofc. Matthew Ness
• Ofc. John Lewin
• Ofc. Justin Hurtado
• Ofc. Joe Remitz
• Ofc. Ty Orde

Photos by Sgt. Kurt Brandes

By Randall Bergmann

Minneapolis Community Technical College (MCTC) Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) & Certified Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Instructor Hugo Morales taught a two-week OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Training course at MCF-Lino Lakes during the summer session.

MCTC students earned the certificate and learned various OSHA policies, standards, and procedures as they apply to the construction industry. This was the first time OSHA-30 was taught for college credit at MCF-Lino Lakes. The students were overwhelmingly appreciative for the opportunity to earn this industry recognized certification.

Over 120 incarcerated people at MCF-Lino Lakes participated in MCTC courses this spring & summer semester continuing to work towards their Associate of Arts degree and learn valuable trade skills. Several participants are planning as part of their reentry to participate in career technical programs at Minnesota Universities and Colleges.

Completion of this course is a wonderful introduction and gateway into the trade professions.

OSHA Instructor Hugo Morales

By Brian Erickson

Shout Out to the Moose Lake Food Service Staff for their hard work and dedication. I truly appreciate all your work and ability to adjust in keeping our department running.

By Eddie Miles

Please help me welcome Lisa Stenseth as the new Warden at MCF-Rush City!

Warden Stenseth began her career with the MN Department of Corrections in 2000 as a Corrections Officer. She promoted to Case Manager at Stillwater in 2005 and eventually Corrections Program Director over case manager in 2013. In these roles she was instrumental in various programs and committees including Restorative Justice, TPC – Effective Interventions, Kaizen facilitator, the Agency’s Case Management Continuous Improvement project, and Co-Chair of the Abuse Review Committee. In 2019 she accepted the position as Stillwater’s Associate Warden of Operations. In 2022, she led Stillwater through a successful PREA audit as the facility’s PREA Compliance Manager. In 2020 Warden Stenseth sponsored the implementation of the MCF-Stillwater Women in Corrections Committee, a first of its kind in the agency. Warden Stenseth has a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Warden Stenseth's first day as RC Warden is August 30th.

Warden Lisa Stenseth

By Shannon VanAlstine

I'd like to give a shout out to my supervisor, Jenny McMahon! She has been incredibly helpful with the new statute changes that have us in the field scrambling. She has been wonderful at communicating the changes, memos, the "how-to's", and been wonderful communicating with upper management regarding our questions or concerns.

She has dedicated time to her district to get this information out to us. Jenny has also let us know, if we need help to just ask and she can get us the help we need. This daunting new task feels a little easier on myself (and hopefully my colleagues) by having her there to be the middle man and to get us the help we need. Statute changes are never easy, and this was a huge change for field services.

Good job, Jenny. Good job to the entire Red Wing District!

By Dan Raden

Thank you to District Supervisor Roman George, ISR Agent Tony Esping, and ISR Agent Robin VanOverbeke for their emergency assistance in transporting an incarcerated individual from MCF-SCL to his placement in Worthington. With critical facility staffing levels the norm, their willingness to help us reduce the impact to staffing on Monday, July 31 to accomplish this transport was greatly appreciated!!

By Trisha Hansen

I would like to offer a Shout Out to Bob Christie and Dan Jones who kept the grills going for past and present Drug Court and DWI Court participants and their families who attended the annual picnic. The picnic was held on July 26 which was the hottest day of the year thus far! Thanks to Bob and Dan!!