By Capt. Erik Rasmussen

Several MCF-Rush City employees staffed a booth at the Chisago Co. Fair July 20th - July 22nd to promote recruitment and community engagement. Staff from a variety of areas within the facility volunteered to assist during the fair. I was proud to witness staff doing excellent work by postively and professioanlly representing the facility and agency to the community. Staff actively engaged with fair participants through conversation about DOC employement opportunities, DOC history and the DOC mission. I would like to thank and recognize the following staff who participated in this event: OAS Jen Decker, Medical Assistant Jessica Volkman, OAS-I Kathy Hanson, Chaplain Mike Nimesheim, HR Spec. 2 Kayla Debaere, PPD Doug Greene, Elec. Systems Supv. Cory Swenson, and Ofc. Tom Beiring.

A special thank you to OAS-S Heidi Schafer and Ofc. James Juntunen. Heidi worked dillegently to organize and coordinate MCF-Rush City's involvement at the Chisago Co. fair. Ofc. Juntunen particpated by working at the fair booth for all three days in addition to marching with RC Honor Guard in the parade. Thank you both for your dedication and great work!

By Paige Morris

MCF-Faribault is excited to annouce Jenna Nohava has been promoted to WOOC OAS-SR, Physical Plant. Jenna began her career with the DOC in 2020 as an OAS-I in Health Services in Faribault. In 2021, she made a lateral transfer to Willow as an OAS-I for the SUD program. During her time in Willow, she has enjoyed building relationships with staff, as well as being able to assist in the expansion of the SUD program. Jenna is a member of the WAC committee and is BCA background certified. Jenna has a BA from Augsburg college. Jenna begins her WOOC on August 2nd.

Red Wing's Warden Shon Thieren shared the following information regarding former Corrections Officer Tyler Hawes.

On July 14th, 2023 , Three Fargo ND Police officers were shot in an an ambush style attack wile working the scene of a traffic accident. One of the officers involved, was former Minnesota Department of Corrections officer Ofc. Tyler Hawes. Ofc. Hawes served with the DOC from June 2022 until leaving to accept the job offer from Fargo PD in January 2023. Ofc. Hawes always led by example and only ever wanted to help others and serve his community. He currently remains in the hospital in serious condition. Ofc. Hawes' family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support during this trying time. If anyone would like to donate to help Ofc. Hawes, his family, and the families of the other officers involved, links to donation funds are attached below.

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tyler-ty-hawes

Leadership Care Fund: https://www.leadershipcarefund.com/

By Al Godfrey

Field Services staff, July 16-22nd is Probation and Parole week—an opportunity to reflect and honor your work to transform lives and keep MN a healthy place to work and live. While this is one week, the ongoing feedback directly from our clients throughout the year on how you support and help them in living a better life is our true testimony that speaks to the value of your work.

This past session was historic—from increased funding for supervision to policy change. While exciting, we have now committed ourselves to implementing what is known to be effective when working with both persons under supervision and the victims and communities impacted by crime. For Field Services, more than ever we need to focus and continue to remind ourselves on the “why” of the work. At the end of the day, how we have assisted our clients in having a better understanding of what has led to their involvement in the justice system and how we are jointly working together on a plan to give them better tools to proactively manage and avoid high-risk behaviors. How we have helped victims in their healing process and feeling safe in the community where they chose to live.

Long-term change can be attributed to two main themes: A desire to discontinue behaviors that no longer support positive self-change, and having the right tools where persons have the ability followed by hope they can change. Interesting enough, this is true for all of us. Change is difficult and at times anxiety producing. Shifting from behaviors that are comfortable to behaviors that are new require having a mindset we are open to change. Letting go of all the excuses of why change is not feasible to fully embrace and commit ourselves to change recognizing that barriers and failure is part of the process. Each time you have a setback, you pick yourself up, you learn from that experience, and you move forward.

For us as staff, that means we need to be more than ever a learning organization. One that continues to adopt and change overtime, just as much as the lives we are dedicated to helping change. This means trying new interventions to better equip clients in making the right decisions and rewarding new behaviors when they are moving in the right direction. Affirmation is a powerful tool and even simply acknowledging positive change, even the smallest step, can be a powerful motivator for all of us. In addition, we need to track our success and have the data to support it. Through data, we have a powerful tool that helps us reflect “are we moving in the right direction”? We are better able to tell our story on why community supervision and your work is important. Lastly, the work we do has an impact on us and others who we care about. We commit to live healthy lives as staff and not being afraid or unwilling to ask for help when we need it. We all need support and care.

So, for us, this is a word of thanks. Thank you for your work and trying out new behaviors as we learn and grow regardless of if you work directly with clients and victims or the staff supporting the work. We are all focused on one goal of positively transforming lives.

Fewer people released from Minnesota prisons are becoming homeless compared to the year before. Ben Henry of KSTP wrote about the homelessness numbers decreasing in an article dated July 17, 2023. You can read the KSTP article here.

Congratulations on 10 Years of Service to Randy Bergman!

From L to R: Captain Eric Knies, AWO Mary McComb, Education Dir. Randy Bergmann, Warden Shannon Reimann, Captain John Kelly & Captain Chad Oye

In a not-too-distant past, where uniform trends had evolved to include every imaginable color and pattern, a small community of individuals revered the simplicity and elegance of the white uniform shirt. They were known as the "Luminous Few." In this department of navy blues and simple designs, they stood out like beacons.

The Luminous Few were the last custodians of the white shirt tradition, a fading relic from a bygone era. They believed in the timeless appeal of this humble garment, cherishing its versatility and the sense of dignity it bestowed upon its wearers. Each member of the community held a unique story of how they discovered their love for the white shirt, forming a bond that transcended time.

The Luminous Few's unwavering dedication to the white shirt preserved a fading tradition and reminded the department of the power of embracing simplicity amidst a sea of ever-changing trends.

Though the era of the white shirt had reached its conclusion, its legacy will endure. The Luminous Few’s vision and dedication to a clean & pressed white shirt had awakened a renewed appreciation for the classic garment. The white shirt became a symbol of individuality and authenticity, and the Luminous Few stood proudly as the last people to wear it, ensuring that its legacy would endure for generations to come.

And so, the last wearers of the white shirt found solace in knowing that even as the era is soon ending, its spirit will forever linger, inspiring generations to come to embrace the enduring elegance of a bygone era. Farewell White Shirts!

Come July 1st, all uniformed staff are required to wear navy blue shirts and pants.

Pictured from L to R: Lt. Bernadette Kingsbury, Lt. Shannon Crittenden & Lt. Jessica Johnson

Please Welcome MCF-LL newest academy that Graduated on July 18th! Ofc. S. Kalib wrote the following speech on behalf of their classmates.

"It gives me great honor to have the opportunity to represent my academy at our graduation ceremony. Although my academy peers and I initially went down different paths in life, each with our own unique experiences, our shared passion for corrections has allowed us to be here together to celebrate the completion of academy. Today, we embark on a new journey --the beginning of a fulfilling career here at Lino Lakes.

These last 6 weeks of on-the-job training, as well as the direct support and guidance from our supervisor, training directors, and several senior officers has given us the confidence in our ability to perform recurring tasks, such as rounds, count, and shakedowns. We were also familiarized with significant policies and procedures, including how to properly handle an ICS as well as deploying our chemical when necessary.

There were many highlights during our time in academy. However, the most memorable experience was our reaction to the exposure of chemical irritant. Painful was an understatement.

As our trainers began to empty countless cans of chemical into the small shed we were standing in, my fear suddenly became a reality. Panic began to consume me as I was the last to attempt the one training day I was dreading since the start of academy. The instructions were to remove our gas masks as we were asked a simple question by our trainers. Once we fully answered the question, we were required to put our masks back on and press down on its filter as we blew as hard as we could to be able to breathe again. Once Erik caught his breath with minimal issues, this was almost enough to put my mind at ease. However, after witnessing Brittany, the toughest in our academy, unable to catch her breath, eventually causing her to run out of the shed, that is when I lost it. I began to hyperventilate, resulting in a full-blown panic attack even before I removed my mask. With reassurance from Erik and our trainers, finally convincing me that I wasn't going to die, I mustered enough courage to at least make an effort. Long story short, I ended up right alongside Brittany outside the shed. We were a complete mess. In hindsight, knowing myself, maybe I should have gone first. I think it is safe to say that this is to be considered one of the most unforgettable reactions by far.

Most importantly, there are numerous individuals my academy peers and I would like to extend our gratitude to. Brad Scibak, Lt. Crittenden, Leah Hanson, and Vee Yang --- we appreciate the time and effort each of you put into ensuring we all succeed. The warden, associate wardell$Our captains, and the executive team for taking the time to be here for us on this special day that we'll never forget. Every one of our FTO trainers for their patience, as well as sharing their knowledge and insight that we will take with us throughout our careers here at the DOC, and lastly, Erik and Brittany for being there as my support system to get us through

academy.

Thank you to every single one of you for the positive impact you had on us, as well as the role you each played in getting us to where we needed to be. My academy peers and I plan to do our part to make Lino Lakes proud!

Thank you so much!

Ofc. S. Kalib, CO 1 --- July 18, 2023."

Thank you Officer Kalib and team, and welcome!

From Left to Right: Brad Scibak, COI Brittany Scardina, COI Sueraya Kalib, COI Erik Peterson, CPT 3 Aimmy Casale & WOOC TDS Vee Yang

From L to R: Captain Eric Knies, AWA Vicki Janssen, COI Brittany Scardina, COI Sueraya Kalib, COI Erik Peterson, CPT3 Aimmy Casale, Warden Shannon Reimann & Captain John Kelly

Please congratulate the May and June academies at Rush City! They graduated on July 18.

Left to Right: Ofc. Jesse Olson (May academy), Ofc. Tyler Piekarski, Ofc. Trey Pate, Special Teacher Michelle Pautzke, CPT 2 James Martinez

By Jay S. Olson

On July 19, members of the Hennepin County Sheriffs Dept – Detention Unit Special Response Team spent the day at MCF-STW learning from our subject matter experts.

The group was welcomed to MCF-STW by AWA Dan Moe and Captain Lisa Connors and then met with DOC Commanders to discuss Special Operations recruitment, training, equipment, response protocols, policy, and how our SORT and ERT align, integrate, and function. The group also observed the real-time exercises of MCF-LL, MCF-OPH and MCF-STW SORT members during their monthly training.

HCSD Lieutenant Jerome Moore expressed his appreciation to the DOC and stated that his staff was “intrigued by the level of professionalism and comradery" of the DOC SORT and that we had a profound effect on the “passion, confidence, and willingness to grow within their roles" of his team members.

DOC Special Operations Instructors Todd Anderson, Sgt. Shawn Harrington, and Lt. Karl Krippner discuss the X-10 non-lethal chemical irritant ejector.