By David Korte

Dear Officer Jonathan Pyfferoen, Officer Dennis Gleason, Sgt. Kerrick Thelin, Sgt. Heidi Stokes, Lt. Luke Eastvold, Sgt. Matthew Hodgman, Sgt. Joshua Kubiszewski, Officer John Berglund-Villadiego, Officer Zian Siruk, Investigator Kortney Sundeen, Officer Jessica Fedje and Lt. Jeffrey White.

I'm am writing on behalf of Sheryl Reishus and her sons Kyle and Alec, to express their sincere gratitude for your service in the detail that conducted the honor guard for their husband and father, David Reishus. Your dedication and professionalism in honoring David's memory has not gone unnoticed, and I wanted to extend their heartfelt appreciation to you all.

It was evident from the way you all carried out your duties that you take great pride in your work and that you understand the importance of showing respect and gratitude to those who have served the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Your attention to detail and precision in executing the ceremony were truly impressive and made a lasting impact on all who were present.

I also want to extend my thanks to Lieutenant Jeffrey White and Officer Jessica Fedje for helping to set up the honor guard. Your assistance in coordinating the event and ensuring that everything was in place was instrumental in making the ceremony a success. Your dedication and willingness to go above and beyond your duties did not go unnoticed and were greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your service and for honoring the memory of my friend in such a dignified and respectful manner. Your efforts have provided comfort and closure to those who loved and respected my friend.

Sincerely,

David Korte, Retired Lt. Minnesota Corrections

By Johanna Gasper

MCF-Rush City celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month by hosting the first installment of its Speaker Series on May 2. Titled “Mind Matters: A Conversation on Mental Health," the event was organized by WOOC CPD Becki Erickson and featured three speakers: Farji Sharheer, Lacey Thompson, and Jordan Hansen.

Mr. Shaheer is the CEO/Founder of Innovative SOULutions. He spoke on the topic of overcoming trauma brought on by gun violence. Ms. Thompson is the CEO/Founder of Laceys' Light and she discussed the way human emotions work and how to work through anger and conflict. Finally, Mr. Hansen, CEO/Founder of YourPath, told the audience his story of addiction and the path he took to achieve 14 years of sobriety.

The event was attended by 65 incarcerated individuals, along with multiple staff. Recruiter Victor Archibong was also present. He took photos and recorded the speakers so those incarcerated who were unable to attend in person can view the event on the offender network.

MCF-Rush City's band, Voices of Hope, provided music between orators and incarcerated individual Jermaine Ferguson served as the emcee. The attendees were able to ask questions and provided plenty of positive feedback to those that spoke.

In fact, the event was so well received that afterwards, attendees were already asking CPD Erickson when the next Speaker Series would happen. Overall, the event was well received, and the staff and incarcerated at Rush City are excited for the next installment!

By Brian Rubenstein

I am pleased to announce, our Agent Jodi Kulik (adult felon - treatment court agent), was the recipient of the MADD 2023 Probation Officer of the Year Award!! Jodi's continuous work, diligence, and dedication to providing above-and-beyond supervision practices is what led to her earning this award. She is highly respected by our treatment court teams in Becker County and I couldn't be more proud to inform you all of her award. Jodi's attention to detail, her ability to care for her clients' best interests, and her skillful use of evidence-based practices is evident in her daily work, and I truly believe this is why she is so deserving of this award. Many congrats, Jodi!

Tara Griess, former MADD participant, was the one who originally nominated Jodi. Tara wrote:

Jodi Kulik has been a Corrections Agent for the MN DOC for 20+ years. She’s a big part of the Drug/DUI court program (a program I had the opportunity to be a part of instead of a prison stay). Her communication skills with clients conveys her position in encouraging and supporting their growth and enables us as clients to find our purpose. She’s also a big advocate for the MADD Program and it really helps that she reaches out to the recovery centers to increase attendance at the panels. Jodi pushes the Courts and Judges for clients to attend MADD programs where clients learn about accountability for their actions. She is present at the Becker County MADD panel and she helps the program run smoothly. Her presence gives clients the ongoing support that she continues to be with them to offer support and belief in the program. Jodi assisted in getting the first ever MADD walk in Detroit Lakes in 2021 up and running and this raised over $12,000 with over 60 people in attendance. The enthusiasm Jodi gives to her clients shows the work she's providing them has great value. Thank you, Jodi!

Sincerely, Tara Griess

Jodi, congratulations to you from all of us at the DOC! Well done!

By Kelley Blake

I want to give a shout out to Bryan Roiger for always going above and beyond and being an all around asset to us. Bryan has a client that is in the end stages of life. He found out the client loves cherry flavored Sun Drop but can't find any. Bryan is also a lover of Sun Drop and knew there was a gas station several hours away that carried the cherry flavor. He coordinated with another co-worker on their days off in their own vehicles to get the Sun Drop and deliver it to the client.

Bryan also volunteered to switch over all of ISR South cell phones when we received new ones. This process has been incredibly frustrating for agents and they were immensely thankful to Bryan for taking this on for them. I received numerous comments that they have never walked out of a cell phone switch with everything working, but they did when Bryan took this on.

Thank you Bryan for always being a team player and a caring individual.

By Lt. Kipp Forschen

During the higher education graduation held on May 2 in the Lino Lakes visitation room, several staff worked amazingly behind the scenes during a crazy day. Officers: Allison Perron, David Ashley, Zachery Copeland, and Andrew Sulugaine went above and beyond to not only make the event go off without a hitch, but worked fast-paced with critical timing. Not once did the staff complain or balk when asked to do anything during this event.

Because of their hard work, this was an event that received a lot of praise by the 40+ visitors that came in to watch their loved one receive a diploma and/or certificate. Amazing job, well done!

By Michelle Saari

Becki Erickson is in a WOOC Corrections Program Director (CPD) position at Rush City. In addition to her job duties, she took on the idea of starting a speaker series in the facility. On May 2, 2023 she had her first event that was attended by 65 incarcerated individuals on the topic of mental health and wellness. The Rush City music group made up of incarcerated individuals, Voices of Hope, also performed.

The event was well planned, well attended, and a SHOUT OUT to Becki for helping bring back programming to our population post COVID.

By Captain Martin Dahlen

Sergeant Jason Anderson and myself met with MCF-Oak Park Heights and MCF-Stillwater staff on April 29, 2023 as a show of support from MCF-Faribault. Appreciation banners signed by MCF-Faribault staff were presented and pizzas were provided.

The courage, dignity, and respect of MCF-Oak Park Heights/Stillwater staff was very apparent during our visit. Sgt. Anderson and myself were welcomed into both facilities and relayed Faribault's sincere appreciation for the work that must be done every day. Together we will continue to traverse the path of Corrections.

Special thanks for MCF-Faribault's Local 3607 for providing the pizzas.

L-R: Sgt. Anderson (FRB) and Officer Moua (OPH)

L-R: Officer Ramirez (STW) and Sgt. Anderson (FRB)

By Colleen Holst

Molly began her DOC career on August 4, 2014 in the Sports Medicine Specialist (ATC-Athletic trainer) role at MCF-Shakopee. This was a new role at the SHK facility, as previously the CIP program was located at the MCF-Togo facility.

Molly jumped right in to learn the ATC role as it related to her specific responsibilities as well as learning the bigger role as a member of the CIP team. Molly's role was a very important one as she was responsible for assessing IP's to ensure they met the physical requirements for participation in phase one of the program. Molly had regular interaction with the entire Health Services team and CIP team. She quickly became a valuable resource for the nursing staff, medical providers, and CIP staff.

Molly's energy and willingness to pitch in and help out wherever she could was so appreciated by the entire Health services team and CIP Team. Molly was instrumental in guiding the nurses and medical providers through the new EHR (electronic health record) system; she grasped the new system very quickly and shared her knowledge with the entire team, we certainly wouldn't be where we are today with the EHR without her!

Molly was dedicated in her role as the athletic trainer in CIP. She invested her time in physical training, encouraging healthy eating along with teaching incarcerated individuals how to live a healthy lifestyle. She encouraged the CIP participants to never give up on themselves and to always strive for more. Her role as the athletic trainer is an integral part of the program. Molly was a huge asset to the CIP program and will be missed.

Words from Molly on her last working day:

Wow! I cannot believe this day has come! After working in the Challenge Incarceration Program for almost 9 years, the time has come for me to move on to another adventure. As a 3rd generation employee of the state, I was honored with the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge in such a unique setting. I have learned a lot from the staff here and will truly miss my coworkers in medical, in CIP, and across the DOC. Thank you all for the support and encouragement towards me on my new adventure.

L-R: Warden Guy Bosch, previous CIP CPD Kevin Fors, Sports Medicine Specialist/ATC Molly Monyok, Director of Clinical Operations Colleen Holst, CIP CPD Tabitha Jeffries

By Bridget Letnes

In April, twelve DOC staff completed 32 hours of training to become Thinking for a Change facilitators.

Thinking for a Change is a cognitive behavioral program that has proven to reduce the risk of justice involved individuals continuing criminal behavior. It consists of 26 lessons that focus on how thinking drives behavior and helps to teach social skills and problem solving to reduce future criminal thinking and behaviors.

Among the graduates are Case Managers Rachel Nynas, Erica Heesaker, Brian Giese, and Troy Foucault from MCF-Moose Lake, Eric Hestness and Mike Richards from MCF-Stillwater, Central Services Administrative Specialist Valarie Martin from MCF-Rush City, Transitions Coordinator Mark Buhrandt from MCF-FRB, and Field Services agents Nicolle Mucciaccaro, Nichole Hassing, Harley Cook, and Amber Bok. Ten of the graduates completed four days of training in-person and two completed the training virtually.

By Melissa Paquette

Warden Tracy Beltz, AWA Laura Westphal, Executive Assistant Kay Grunseth, and Lieutenant Josh Sterling attended the Tribal-State Relations Training on April 25-26. The mission of the training is to educate Minnesota state employees about American Indian tribal governments, histories, cultures, and traditions in order to empower state employees to work effectively with American Indians and promote authentic and respectful relationships between state agencies and American Indian tribes.

The vision is one community that values and promotes knowledge, understanding and respect for the American Indian governance, history, and way of life. Goals of the training included: educating state employees about American Indian people and governments, create partnerships, building respectful relationships between the State and Tribes, and create an enduring commitment by the state to learn about tribal governments.

Left to Right: Chairman Kevin Jensvold, upper Sioux Board of Trustees; Vice President Shelley Buck, Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council; President Robert L. Larsen, Lower Sioux Indian Community Tribal Council; Tadd Johnson, Esq., Professor Emeritus, moderator.