By David Kurth

In October of 2022 my supervisor, Captain RJ Kruse, approached me with a project he thought would be beneficial to my programming area. The project was building an artificial loon nest for the Department of Natural Resources who are studying loons and nesting habits. As a Recreation Therapist, I thought it was the perfect project. We agreed it would be great for both agencies, the DNR and DOC, to coordinate on a project that has proven positive results.

In November of 2022, Spencer Rittler of the DNR, presented the project to the Incarcerated Persons in the Yankee and Quebec squads. The presentation went well, and soon the building materials were delivered. The building and launching of the nest provided an opportunity for the IPs to build skills in teamwork, communication, patience, and problem-solving.

When it was completed the Quebec squad members and I portaged canoes to Thistledew Lake and launched the artificial loon nest in the proper area for best results. Throughout the next few months, we will be checking on the nest in hopes it is being occupied.

By Warden Brian Collins

We had quite a few leftovers from our EEC BBQ on Tuesday. We cooked the leftovers on Wednesday and provided MSOP a surprise lunch. I talked to Terry Kneisel the night before and he really appreciated the gesture. They’ve had a tough go if it recently. Staff were very, very appreciative.

By Tina Payton

May 10 was a Back to Basics All-Staff Training Day at OPH. It was great to see how involved, interested, and dedicated the staff were to help prepare for this day which hasn't been done since pre-COVID. Back to Basics was a training day where we were able to touch on a few training opportunities in addition to our normal in-service training. The three breakout sessions were the WRAP, Offender Property, and a Medical Overview.

Thank you to Sergeant Dominic Casalenda and Officers Ethan Scheible, Isaac Antilla, and Christian Veith for the training they did with the WRAP. Many officers were able to get hands on training with placing their partner into the WRAP, in a safe manner.

Thank you to Sergeants Brian Louis and Brent Bune for having a fantastic overview/refresher on offender property pack-ups. Sgt. Louis and Sgt. Bune work in areas where they receive property pack-ups often and sometimes they are done incorrectly. This day was a great day for officers to have a review on it.

Thank you Officer Zina Siruk and Nurse Ally O'Brien for their medical class overview. Topics covered was Stop the Bleed, Circulation Checks, the medical gurney, and the STRYKER chair. Many props were brought in to make this a hands-on class.

Thank you to all the Instructors and Subject Matter Experts that made this a successful day.

By Sgt. Dave Hergott

National Crime Victim's Rights Week was April 23 – April 29. Incarcerated Persons on MCF-Shakopee's Restorative Justice (RJ) Committee made posters that were on display throughout the week.

The RJ Committee is also in the final stages of completing a “food fundraiser" that was very successful. Just over 250 Incarcerated Persons placed orders, with profits exceeding $3,400. The RJ Committee plans to donate the proceeds to a Mental Health facility in the Twin Cities.

By Latoya Shelby

The Redemption Project graduation ceremony of the Virtues of Success program at the MCF-Lino Lakes took place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Virtues for Success is a 14-week course covering four core pillars: wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice. This is the first of three stages of the program. The Redemption Project's reentry program prepares the students for success upon leaving prison with the goal of reducing recidivism.

TRP Graduates:

Elliott Pierson, Andrew Neal, Calvin Boswell, Christopher Ames, Neil Klien, Bobby Brookins, James Slowinski, Seth Dilorenzo, Timothy Strand, Daniel Kennedy, Miguel Lopez, Malcolm Olatunde, David Engle, Yar Bithow, Tony Xiong, Green Kelly, Dylan Wettschreck, Jason Dixon, Michael Peterson, Leroy Richardson, Ron Powell

By Jay Olson

Twelve new recruits graduated from the 40-hour SORT Academy that was held at Camp Ripley, May 01-05, 2023. The new team members should be congratulated for their focus and hard work during the intensive week of training. The Special Operations Instructors assigned to Academy do a remarkable job providing the baseline training necessary for Team membership."

Special recognition was given to Sgt. Jeff Blaschko (SHK) during the graduation ceremony for his eleven consecutive years as an Academy Instructor. He will be retiring at the end of this year.

By Nicole Cole

Ilyssa is so great to collaborate with regarding clients. Her insight, therapeutic direction, and willingness to go above and beyond has been really refreshing here at the DOC. She is also willing to go above and beyond within the team. What the team is needing, she steps up to do. She has covered groups and classes either for the day or even short term coverage when we have been down staff. She is also there for the team with extra support with a client, she steps up and does it. Her clinical input is also so helpful and appreciated.

L to R: Captain Eric Knies, Captain Chad Oye, AWO Mary McComb, CPT Nicole Cole, Psychologist Ilyssa Siegal, CPD Samantha Ortman, Warden Shannon Reimann, AWA Vicki Janssen & Captain John Kelly.

By Candace Mack and Amanda Bodway

Thank you for being amazing nurses. Our team appreciates all that you do. Happy Nurses Week!

By Lt. Jessica Johnson

When presented with the opportunity, the MCF-Lino Lakes CISM Team: Sgt. David Craig, Sgt. David Neubarth, Transitions Coordinator Beth Kirk, Sgt. Julius Eyong, Sgt. Josh Kubiszewski, COII Jared Jokela, and Lt. Jessica Johnson, jumped at the chance to host this quarter's masters CISM training event.

After much coordination from Peer Support staff: Roger Carr, Lydia Newlin, Sean McIntyre, and the CISM Training Committee: Amanda Biggins, Heidi Stokes, Marie Enninga, Jay Olson, Teri Hand, and Danielle Kimmes, on April 19, despite the cold, rainy weather and flooding roads, 45 of the Department's CISM and Peer Support Team members met together in person for the first time in since the onset of COVID at the MCF-Lino Lakes PFA Auditorium to discuss what CISM looks like today, the future of CISM, and the various processes that Peer Support and CISM offer.

In addition, they learned about stress management, the importance of mental health and resiliency, along with healthy tools for releasing stress provided by speakers from Blue Peak Consulting - Dr. Margaret Gavian, and Christian Grams. Blue Peak Consulting was founded in 2012 by Dr. Margaret Gavian's deep desire to better serve those that have experienced significant stressful life experiences. Blue Peak's mission is to target mental health at its source, from executives and civilians to public safety personnel like firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and dispatch.

The day was filled with opportunities for team members to network, support, learn from one another, and were even able to receive a video call from Sonja Cobb, a long-time team member who is still away from work following a significant assault while working overtime at her home facility of MCF-OPH. People were filled with emotion at being able to see and hear from her.

A visit from MCF-Lino Lakes Executive Team representatives – Captain Chad Oye, John Kelly, and Safety Director Wayne Niles – was received with applause after their heartfelt message of appreciation for the work the Peer Support and CISM teams provide, and all the time volunteered by these individuals. They collectively stressed the feeling of family that co-workers have for one another and the impact that is felt when one of our own is stressed, injured, or in the worst of circumstances, dies. They impressed upon the team the importance of self-care and communication with a commitment to workplace safety, closing with gratitude and grace for the work.

The day closed with hopes for the future, growth of our team, and plenty of suggestions for impactful strategies for messaging the resources available to staff.

By Sarah Rykken

MCF-St. Cloud recognized this year's National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), held nationally from April 23-29, 2023, by hosting a Clothesline Project, and giving a donation to an organization that works directly with victims of crime.

Annually, Violence Free Minnesota, a statewide coalition to end relationship abuse, create safety and achieve social justice for all, releases a new edition of the Clothesline Project, a visual memorial to the past year's victims of intimate partner homicide. The project consists of a unique shirt to honor each victim, designed by a volunteer artist, or by a family member or friend in honor of their loved one. The shirts are then hung on a clothesline and displayed in a public location, to pay tribute and honor those that lost their lives in Minnesota due to intimate partner violence. MCF-St. Cloud paid tribute and honor on April 26, 2023, to those we lost in 2022.

On May 9, 2023, MCF-St. Cloud Restorative Justice Representatives and Incarcerated Individuals from the Peer Mentor group presented a donation to staff from Anna Marie's Alliance, a domestic abuse shelter located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The goal of Anna Marie's Alliance is “to provide women who are experiencing domestic abuse and their children with a safe place to stay and the resources they need. Through systemic change, we aim to create a community where violence is not tolerated, and where every home is a safe one." Due to fundraising efforts at MCF-St. Cloud, a donation of $500 was made!

(L to R), Case Manager Laura Thielen (RJ Rep.), WOOC AWA Sarah Rykken (RJ Rep.) – Back (L to R), Warden Eddie Miles, Teacher Ben Murphy (RJ Rep.), CPD Travis Schlangen. Incarcerated individuals from the Rivers and Reshape Chemical Dependency treatment programs attended the event, and processed in conjunction with other Victim Impact related curriculum. Anna Marie’s Alliance (AMA) accepted a $500 donation from Restorative Justice (RJ) fundraising efforts done at St. Cloud. Pictured are AMA staff, RJ Representatives Laura Thielen, Ben Murphy, and Sarah Rykken, along with peer mentors who assisted with the fundraisers.