By Marisol Ortega

Please join SCL and its Executive Team in congratulating July's graduating academy.

Back Row Left to Right: AWA Dan Raden, Capt. Lori Korts, Capt. Tod Engeldinger, Capt. Jamie Holm

Front Row Left to Right: HRD Joe Thelen, CPT Allison Peterson, CO1 Max Hartman, CO1 Tara Ramsey, CPT Erin Groskreutz, Cook Coordinator Jayden Salzer-Gibbs.

Please help congratulate Laura Westphal in her promotion to WOOC Associate Warden of Operations. Laura has an extensive history in corrections, joining the rank of Corrections Officer in 1991 at Shakopee Correctional Facility. She rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2015, at which time she transferred to Faribault Correctional Facility. Laura was hired as a Corrections Program Director in 2017, staying in that position until 2019 when she was promoted to Associate Warden of Administration. Laura has managed several large-scale departments policies including Property, Hobby Craft, Religious Programming. She was instrumental in Department’s Control Tactics/Self Defense, Use of Force, Situational Awareness curricula. She has participated in Faribault Futures Leadership Program and our Department’s Advanced Leadership Development Program. Congratulations Laura!

The 2023 Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week (PPPS Week) is celebrated from July 16-22. This year's theme is "Stronger Together," which highlights the importance of collaboration between community corrections professionals, incarcerated people, and the community as a whole to provide support and resources. By working together, we make a real difference in their lives while also making Minnesota communities safer.

PPPS Week salutes and celebrates the valuable efforts of over 100,000 community corrections professionals across the country that help supervise close to 6.4 million individuals. The 2023 theme of Stronger Together break down walls bring people together to learn, talk, work, and celebrate so that America may flourish.

This week is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of all of you who work to keep our communities safe and help people to turn their lives around. You are professionals who play a vital role in the criminal justice system, and your work is essential to public safety.

Thank you to all of our Field Services professionals who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and help people to turn their lives around. You make a difference!

Look out Minnesota North Star fans, the true stars of the north are the K-9 teams at the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), whose tradition of excellence continued with top honors at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 12 Patrol Trials June 26-27 in Chisago Lakes.

The DOC has a national reputation of high placings at these events and this time was no different.

Top Region Team: Minnesota DOC (4-person team with an alternate)

• John Kelly, Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Rush City

• Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights

• Brian McCarthy, MCF-Stillwater

• Dennis Zahn, MCF-Stillwater

• Tyson Taghon, MCF-Faribault

Top Department Team (two-person team)

Kory Clausen and Todd Bestgen from MCF-Stillwater

Overall Placement

1st - John Kelly, MCF-Rush City (back-to-back first place honors)

4th - Kory Clausen, MCF-Stillwater

5th - Todd Bestgen, MCF-Stillwater

7th - Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights

Top Rookie Handler/Rookie Dog

Kory Clausen, MCF-Stillwater

Obedience

• 2nd - Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights

• 3rd - Tyson Taghon, MCF-Faribault

Apprehension

3rd - Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights

Article Search

3rd - Gary Atkins, MCF-Oak Park Heights

On Wednesday, July 19th, we will be welcoming our new Secondary Education Director, Shauna Bock to the DOC. Shauna Bock is joining us from her most recent position as Director of Student Services with South St. Paul Public Schools. Shauna has worked as a teacher, building administrator and district administrator during her 20 year career in K-12 education. Shauna has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science with an emphasis on Urban Education from Metro State University, and a Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of St. Thomas. Shauna lives in Mounds View with her husband, Nate and their three kids; Laya who will be a Sophomore, Will who is going into 7th grade and Samantha who will be in 5th grade. Layla, Will, and Sam keep her busy with marching band competitions, baseball games and basketball games, but when she gets some free time Shauna likes to travel, especially trips that help reach the goal of seeing all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. Shauna is excited to join the DOC and support our mission.

Shauna Bock

By Jay Olson

On June 29 and June 30 Gabby Root (RN at MCF-Togo) conducted both recertification and new instructor training in the American Heart Association – Basic Life Support Instructor Course. Five current and six new Health Services instructors completed the training.

The program is designed to prepare instructors to teach AHA Instructor-led and blended learning courses. The course educates instructor candidates on how to adequately use AHA Instructor teaching materials, ensure that students meet learning objectives, offer student coaching skills, provide an objective skills performance evaluation, and follow AHA Instructor and course policies.

Assistant Commissioner Jolene Rebertus stopped by to thank the staff for “their dedication and commitment to the DOC.”

Ric Chiodo, Manager of the Multi-Regional Training Center, provides updates on the AHA digital platform and training network.

By Melissa Paquette

Please help me welcome Kari Tobin to the position of Executive Assistant! Kari has a notable history of advanced level administrative support experience, including Advancement/Administrative Assistant and Marketing Specialist, Office and Administrative Specialist Intermediate, Senior, and Principal. She has her Associate of Applied Science from the Minnesota School of Business, and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota. Skillsets include BCA Single Certification, Notary Public, Adobe Creative Suite Application, and Project Management. She has been active in FRB's Safety and Wellness committee and is a mentor for Faribault's mentor program. Welcome Kari!

By Lt. Darrel Berry

Congrats to Ben Hattenberger who was promoted to Sergeant on 07/05/23.

Sgt. Hattenberger started his career in corrections in October of 2017 here at MCF- Moose Lake.

Sgt. Hattenberger has worked in most of the areas here at Moose Lake and brings valuable knowledge and experience to 3rd Watch. Sgt. Hattenberger always looks to improve on practices and often brings his ideas to leadership. His forward thinking has led to better security here at Moose Lake. We look forward to his leadership and seeing what he brings next to the table in the future.

Congratulations, Sgt. Hattenberger on your promotion!

Warden Brian Collins, Sgt.Ben Hattenberger, and Lt. Darrel Berry

Warden Brian Collins, Sgt.Ben Hattenberger, and Lt. Darrel Berry

By Ian Heaslip

Congratulations to Lieutenant Frank Misiak as he retires from MCF- Moose Lake after 28 years of state service! Lt. Misiak was integral in the department's Crisis Negotiation Team, Criticial Incident Stress Management Team, and a staple for 1st Watch at Moose Lake.

Be Melissa Paquette

Paige Morris began her career with the DOC in 2019 as an OAS-I in Health Services at Faribault. In 2020, she was promoted to OAS-Sr in Health Services where she transferred departments to Physical Plant in 2021. During her time with the DOC, she has enjoyed building positive relationships with staff and contractors and is excited to continue promoting the DOC in her new position as Volunteer Services Coordinator. Paige has an A.A.S. degree from DCTC. Paige's promotion is effective July 5th. Congratulations Paige!