By Ian Heaslip

Lieutenant John Klar recently retired from MCF-Moose Lake with over 30 years of service with the Department of Corrections. John began his career at Sauk Center working with juveniles prior to transferring to Moose Lake in 1997. He finished the remainder of his career up north, promoting to sergeant and eventually lieutenant in 2013.

John was a staple on SORT for over 17 years. John started the Honor Guard at Moose Lake and was instrumental in the team DOC-wide. He was the lead instructor for shotgun/less-lethal. One of the highlights of his career was his time on the Marksman Observer Team. His retirement gift from many in the facility and across the agency was a Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun that was engraved with his years of service.

Lt. Klar reminds everyone to be there for your co-workers and watch out for each other. He also noted that it’s important to let the stupid stuff roll off your back daily. John, thank you for your many years of service!

Lt. Carl Bennett (Left) presenting Lt. John Klar (Right) with his retirement gift.

Lt. John Klar proudly displaying his retirement gift.

By Ian Heaslip

On Tuesday May 22, 2023, the Restorative Justice Council donated $10,000 to PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault).

Since 1975, PAVSA has been working to end sexual violence in our community. The Restorative Justice Council at Moose Lake sponsors fundraisers throughout the year and gives back to service providers in the community. Along with PAVSA, they also donated $3,000 each to Family Pathways and Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center.

Special thanks to case manager Chrissy Gamst for her leadership and connection to the community.

Back: Brad Voorhees, Marcus Brown, John Nemo

Middle: Vanessa (PAVSA), Toby Johnson, Bailey Garcia, Charles Maddox, Andrew Salinas, Chrissy Gamst (Caseworker)

Front: Tracy (PAVSA)

Not pictured: David Doppler, Mark Staats, Moises Kinney, and Bradley Ball.

By Randall Bergman

White Bear Center for the Arts, in collaboration with MCF-Lino Lakes Education, hosted two resident artist events on Friday, May 19.

Marcie R. Rendon, a well renowned award-winning author, poet, and teacher who has presented at women’s prisons and jails throughout the Midwest came to present her work and to teach at MCF-Lino Lakes. Ms. Rendon presented her book, Sinister Graves, the third addition to the Cash Blackbear novel series that became available in October 2022, in the afternoon and then lead a conversation on authorship and writing crime novels. In the evening, Marcie provided a powerful culturally relevant Poetry Workshop using her own publications to stimulate discussion and arouse meaningful writing for the attending aspiring poets.

These two highly engaging and interactive sessions were well attended and fully funded and supported by the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of the Arts Midwest through the National Endowment of the Arts. Additional contributions were also made from Minnesota State Arts Board to provide the participants with a copy of the novel before the presentation and materials for those that attended the poetry workshop. The event was a huge success! Thank you to everyone for your contributions and support.

By Jay Olson

Nineteen (19) Corrections Officers graduated from the Weapons Instructor - Basic Couse that was held at MCF-SCL, May 15-19.

The 40-hour course curriculum included policy & procedure, program review, coaching/instructional techniques, firearms range management, ballistic trauma management, and weapons competency demonstrations. In addition, the Office of Professional Accountability presented on the Use of Force investigate process.

The curriculum is designed to ensure that our facility weapons instructors have the techniques for safe and effective coaching of both weapon systems. The Instructors assigned to this course did an amazing job and the students worked very hard to satisfy the course requirements.

Master Instructors Lt. Graham Besonen (LL), Lt. Todd Dusbabek (FRB), and Sgt. Scott Lehmkuhl (SCL) were all recognized during the graduation ceremony for their 37 years of collective service and dedication as Master Instructors.

Group of graduating instructors

Left to Right: ED Director Balinda Bailey, Lt. Todd Dusbabek, Lt. Graham Besonen, Sgt. Scott Lehmkuhl, and OSI Director John Melvin.

By LaToya Shelby

For Corrections Employees Week, Lino Lakes planned a variety of events: muffins and coffee for Muffin Monday, freshly popped popcorn on Poppin' Tuesday, Winning Wednesday included: Nothing Bundt Cakes courtesy of AFSCME, several drawings for gift cards & the ability to wear your favorite sports jersey. Staff received a wrap for lunch on That's a Wrap Thursday, and finally on Funday Friday, we hosted a poker walk and bags tournament!

Thank you to each of you for all you do, day in and day out. Lino wouldn't be the same without each of you!

By Rebecca Fratzke

It was just another Tuesday at Goodwill Easter Seals-St. Paul, prepping for a busy night of working with recently released individuals from MCF-Stillwater, when the true measure of living the mission was humbly demonstrated.

A man came into Goodwill in state-issued grays, released just that morning from another MN Correctional Facility and looking for help. He remembered working with the Opportunity for Change (O4C) Program during a previous incarceration and needed to get connected with some resources and assistance with managing his mental health. I watched Marlana Balk and Sandy Hand jump into action assisting this man with getting a decent lunch, connection with MNSURE to ensure that his benefits were active, multiple community resources in the area of the shelter he would be residing in and a ride to the shelter to ensure he got there safely. They also assisted him with contacting his agent and connecting with his agent to ensure that he was aware of what options existed for the individual and to help bridge those resources between the individual and supervising agent.

The interaction with Marlana, Sandy and this individual was only about 45 minutes, but it truly depicted our values within the DOC of Safety • Dignity • Honesty • Service • Equity • Fairness • Respect. I am so grateful to work amongst people who live the mission every day, in a million small and impactful ways.

ByJanelle Cheney

Career Agent Lindsey Ternes is ONE IN A MILLION ~ and has received the Employee Recognition Award for Transforming Lives! I will do my best to try sum up (briefly), the impact Agent Ternes has had during her career with the MN Department of Corrections.

Lindsey has spearheaded the Internship process within Moorhead, starting with recruitment to working directly with Central Office and the College in ensuring credit is given to the Student. She facilitates a monthly Law Enforcement meeting that has grown in size and talent sitting at the table. This meeting is specific to School Resource Officers and now includes Social Services, school staff, and more, and focuses on at-risk youth. It aims to be proactive while troubleshooting and working collaboratively towards addressing ongoing concerns with those already actively involved in the juvenile judicial system. She most recently has made herself physically available on-site at the Career Academy to support the school staff. Lindsey conducts job fairs and makes herself available for Career Days, speaking on behalf of the DOC. Lindsey also is a leader as she prioritizes her availability to the court system, often covering detention and arraignment hearings of youth.

Agent Lindsey Ternes is a member of the Local Collaborative Time Study (LCTS) Team, the Clay County Safe Harbor Response Team, the Children's Mental Health Team, and the Pre-placement Screening Team within Clay County. She not only attends these meetings but she engages in the dialog and does an amazing job representing the DOC at the table of such meetings.

Co-workers had this to say about Agent Ternes:

Lindsey not only works hard to transform the lives of our clients but she is also a professor at the local college, transforming the lives of her criminal justice students. She is sharing her knowledge with the future of the DOC.

Lindsey from day one has been someone to aspire to model your life after. She is easy going, smart, articulate, full of prosocial activities, she would not score high on an LSCMI! I couldn't count how many times I sat, stood, rode next to her while she was working with clients and got a bird eye's view on how an effective probation officer transforms people, not just her clients. Lindsey's ability to connect with a client is uncanny; however, I believe her ability to brighten any room with her positive attitude is her greatest strength. I have no doubt in my mind that she has single handedly transformed thousands of lives for the better, I know firsthand. She is truly a great human and I am honored to work alongside her and call her a friend.

Lindsey is the gorilla glue who holds it all together. Lindsey is our office's mother hen, keeping track of details involving her and others' workload. She's a mentor and a guide for new employees and interns, helping them to have a positive work or learning experience. Her attention to detail keeps everything and everyone in line, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Her wings envelope others outside of our office, including buying gifts for juveniles who are detained over Christmas, working with schools and law enforcement, and instructing at a local college. Within our office, Lindsey ensures all are remembered and recognized, from planning retirement parties, going away parties, and other areas of employee recognition, leaving everyone feeling remembered and cared about. There has never been a time Lindsey has expressed exasperation or frustration with her responsibilities. Regardless of changes encountered or obstacles she comes up against, Lindsey meets it with a positive attitude and respect. Lindsey is an exemplary employee, comrade and mentor, the superglue who holds the office together and running smoothly!

Lindsey Ternes is the hardest working agent in this office. Her work ethic is beyond reproach. Her positive can-do attitude is a constant. She chairs and is active on several committees serving our youth who are often disadvantaged on many levels. She is involved in volunteerism with this population as well. She teaches at a local college inspiring and educating future corrections and law enforcement candidates.

Lindsey's sincerity and compassion for her clients is always apparent. Aside from being a tremendous agent, Lindsey goes the extra mile in many ways. She has been a long time volunteer with the Moorhead Police Summer Youth Program, she started a Girl's Group for her female clients, teaches at the local college, and represents the DOC on a number of committees. Her thoughtfulness and expertise are invaluable to Clay County.

Lindsey works tirelessly to not only help clients make meaningful changes but colleagues, community members, students, and so many more as well. I first met Lindsey as a junior in college. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my degree but thought probation could be a good fit. Lindsey was an instrumental part in the internship program of Clay County and helped me throughout the entire process. I was able to learn so much from her and she was always willing to help. Lindsey is never afraid to go the extra mile and expects nothing in return. She is so deserving of this award as she exemplifies what it means to be a probation Agent and to transform others lives.

Lindsey is a team player who always has a positive attitude. Lindsey goes above and beyond what is expected of her at work and is one of the nicest people I have ever gotten the opportunity to work with.

Lindsey is the only reason I believe I have done so well! She is my guru, literally! She is always there to help me, to help cover anything that I need and support me! I am so happy and proud that she is winning this award, she truly deserves it. She knows so many people and does so much for not only probation, this county, and the criminal justice field! Congrats to her!!!

By Lisa Connors

How often do you get the chance to 'pie' a supervisor without getting in trouble? Stillwater staff got the chance on the last day of Corrections Employees Week! Along with a grill out done by 1st Watch, Stillwater really brought the fun to Corrections Week. It was Lt. Mike Pavlich, RN Supervisor Amber Swanson, Capt. Lisa Connors, Lt. Marisa Williams, and CPD Natalya Kandakova. The pie-thrower was Sgt. Brett Bero.

Here are some pictures from the events below:

Sgt. Jacob Winberg grilled burgers, chicken legs and brats for 1st Watch staff appreciation.

By Dan Dingmann

The MN Department of Transportation recently installed the road sign memorializing Highway 95 from Highway 36 to Interstate 94 as the Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm Memorial Highway. A few staff took a walk down to the sign to take a picture of the newly installed sign. When coming to Stillwater you will see the sign turning on to Highway 95 off Highway 36. As we come up on the 5 year anniversary, this will continue to serve as a lasting memory to all who travel this section of highway of Joe's sacrifice.

By Carla Pocket

National Correctional Officers Week is a time to thank correctional officers for their service and to raise awareness of the important work they do. It is also a time to remember the sacrifices that correctional officers and their families make.

Here are some of the reasons why we celebrate National Correctional Officers Week:

• To thank correctional officers for their service and dedication.
• To raise awareness of the important work that correctional officers do.
• To show our support for correctional officers and their families.

Corrections Week at Willow River was eventful and enjoyable.

Check out the pictures of the fun event below.