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By AWA Shahna Fredrick

Shout Out to the MCF-Shakopee Captains Kim Evans & Angie Michel.

Any time a tour occurs at the facility, both captains are present to provide escorting and information about the history and operations of Shakopee. They speak with pride about the work their staff do and the positive happenings throughout the facility.

By Balinda Bailey

Members of the September MCF-ML Academy - Co Trainees have shared that Lt. Mike Lott, who oversees the FTO program for Moose Lake, has been going above and beyond by checking in with them on their FTO shifts, providing them with mentoring and coaching and giving them opportunities to share their learning experiences with him.

The FTO program in Moose Lake has been through changes over the years with different coordinators and Lt's and one thing has remained steady - this group is committed to ensuring the FTO program is one that is always striving to continuously improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the trainees and veteran staff.

We appreciate their continued commitment!

By Balinda Bailey

The Emerging Leaders Institute is a cohort-based leadership development program designed to prepare future leaders in Minnesota government.

Over the course of seven (7) months, participants experience instruction from topical experts, small group interaction, interviews with other leaders and 360 feedback assessments designed to build self-awareness in a leadership context.

Three (3) groups of thirty (30) participants embark in September on a journey that increases knowledge of public sector leadership, individual leadership effectiveness, and develops important skills through critical thinking, interviews, study, and reflection. They Join the hundreds of ELI alumni that have increased their responsibilities and received promotions in state government as a result of completing the Emerging Leadership Institute.

Congratulations to the MN DOC selected participants shown below.

By Mfon Archibong

Working together as a team, the security staff and other members at Rush City have shown unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety of the IPs. Their profound commitment and passion for their career is truly inspiring and not unnoticed. The new trainees were welcomed with open arms and made to feel part of the Rush City family, thanks to the wonderful staff who took the time to connect with them.

We are grateful for the inspiring leadership of Lt. Diane Reineccius, Lt. Jason Chard, Barry Lund, the academic instructors, and the supervisors (Laurel Skoglund, Crystal Kraft, Michelle Saari, and Cory Swenson), who shared their experiences with the new hires.

Together, we can achieve great things, and the Rush City team is a shining example of what can be achieved through teamwork and dedication.

By Janet Rodriguez-Ricci

Shout out to SHK security staff for their kindness and understanding towards multiple IPs who have experienced deaths lately. Going the extra mile is not going unnoticed by others!

By Brian Rubenstein

The following article appeared in the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

The local Minnesota Department of Corrections (MN DOC) office located in Fergus is part of the district that was awarded first place for the Employee Recognition Award: Project Recognition by the MN DOC Commissioner recently.

This year’s award was presented to the districts of Detroit Lakes which include Otter Tail, Becker and Mahnomen Counties and St Cloud (Wright and Benton Counties).

District supervisor, Brian Rubenstein, explained the award and its significance.

“The small WAI-SR (Working Alliance Inventory - Short Revised) pilot and the small DRI (Dual Relationship Inventory) pilot tested two client facing surveys to see how clients view our working relationship with them during their period on community supervision (Probation and/or supervised release). Each agent in the Detroit Lakes and St. Cloud district offices sent out three separate surveys to their clients. After review and lessons learned to improve the process, it was decided to proceed with the 14 question WAI-SR in a large pilot, expanding beyond just the district office to the entire district and to all clients on community supervision,” stated Rubenstein.

Rubenstein and his colleagues Jennifer Johnson (MN DOC research analyst) and Deb Anderson (St Cloud district supervisor) shared the survey results with their local corrections agents which, in turn, encouraged agents to continue to hand out and follow up on surveys both electronically and/or via paper.

Rubenstein said the result was spectacular. 585 clients returned their surveys, with 246 for the Detroit Lakes district and 339 for the St. Cloud district.

Rubenstein also mentioned while everyone did amazing work on the project, there were a few standouts including Tony Bergen, a Fergus Falls corrections agent, for receiving 91 surveys from her clients.

“Not only were the surveys returned from each client and for each agent, but we also saw the results we were hopeful to see. Our corrections agents work tirelessly to connect with clients and help them on their life changes which betters their chance of success while on supervision but most importantly, when they are finished with supervision,” said Rubenstein.

Rubenstein shared a few examples of some of the actual client comments that were included in the survey results:

“She really went above and beyond what any other probation officer has ever done to help me succeed. I intend to go to law school in this next phase of my life. Thank you – you are a hero!”

“My agent made me feel like I had a chance to be different and just made my supervision comfortable by being consistent and guided me throughout this process of rehabilitation into the community and gave me respect and trust, only to do the same in return.”

“At first, I didn’t have any goals and he’d ask what my plans were. Not knowing it was pushing me to work towards success. Today I’m employed, certified in peer support, in a (new to me) vehicle and from unfavorable to good credit. A lot of the thanks goes to (my agent).”

“This supervision has actually given me a real kick in the butt to want to work for myself with my past issues.”

“Best probation officer I’ve ever worked with. He does a great job and I am honored to be one of his clients.”

Rubenstein said the data itself is unprecedented information about how the MN DOC Field Services Unit can continue to support clients, as well as find many areas of opportunity for growth.

“We cannot thank this team of corrections agents for their vision and work on this project."

Hearing and seeing these results, which were submitted completely anonymously by individual clients, is a true testament to the great work our corrections agents do each and every day within the communities they serve,” said Rubenstein.

By Jacob McLellan

It is with great sadness to learn of the passing of Gary Lawson.

Gary started his career with the DOC on October 4, 2000 as a corrections agent. Gary worked in the Milaca, Mora and ISR offices throughout his career. Many remember Gary for his strong work ethic but mostly for his razor like wit and one-liners. Gary always had a story to tell from "da range" and everyone would be listening intently. Gary retired from DOC on July 1, 2015 and eventually moved back to the Iron Range.

A gathering of friends and family took place October 20, at the Peterson Funeral Chapel in Coleraine, MN. A graveside service followed at the Lakeview Cemetery of Coleraine.

By Wendy Spry

Under the guidance, care and leadership of Chaplain Lynda Lee, the American Indian IPs at Lino Lakes facility have had an opportunity to engage in a six-week cultural program. IP John Goodman, III, developed the curriculum which includes historical knowledge, language, and cultural teachings. Included in the curriculum is also a section on tribal sovereignty and federal policy – information not consistently taught in public schools at this time.

Chaplain Lee and IP Goodman welcomed the group with words of gratitude and encouragement. Mr. Goodman reflected on how the curriculum was borne of questions raised by IPs in September 2022 about the involvement of two-spirit individuals in ceremony. This led to some talking circles, a Native speaker on the subject, and slowly became a realization that more cultural education and programming would be beneficial. As Chaplain Lee stated in her comments, "It soon became clear to us that we must first know people before we can know how to care for them."

The two began a process of research….finding relevant and available resources, and relying on oral storytelling/teaching. In addition to the weekly two-hour groups, each IP was provided a workbook on which he could reflect on the teachings of the session and share in talking circles which begin each weekly session. As Mr. Goodman commented, “Our Culture, our Traditions, Spirituality, it is what helps us change our lives for our families and for us. To reach deeper and come back to who we are as a first nations people is and should be the most important accomplishment in life…because when we dig deep, we will find ourselves along with our Ancestors."

Two groups have completed the six-week curriculum and were celebrated on September 21, 2023. Some of the participants have moved on via release or to another facility; however, they were each recognized by Mr. Goodman and Chaplain Lee in their absence.

Those present received Certificates of Completion of the course and shared the significance of having had the opportunity to learn. Comments shared by the men included, “There is honor in this. I feel different," “I'm no longer lost," and “I found myself." These sentiments echo the value of identity – much of which has been lost and/or interrupted via the various periods of federal policy designed to eliminate the Native American in the United States since its inception.

Also attending the ceremony were Warden Shannon Reimann, Captain Chad Oye, and Tribal Relations Director Wendy Spry. The ceremony began with the group smudging as they entered the building, followed by the drum group opening the ceremony with prayer, drumming and songs.

Experts have stated that culture is a protective factor – that it is medicine – and foundational to one's healthy adjustment in the community. The teachings in the curriculum have emphasized American Indian identity as an integration of spiritual path that formed culture and tradition. The individuals coming “home to themselves" have been given time and place to remember they are spirit, everything is spirit.

Kudos to the great work by Chaplain Lee and IP Goodman for the work and dedication that they put into the curriculum.

By Elizabeth Richards

DOC's Victim Services Coordinator Brittany Anderson received the Journey of Hope award from Standpoint in recognition of her work and dedication to provide advocacy and justice for domestic and sexual violence victim/survivors. Celebrating this honor with Brittany were Victim Services & Restorative Justice staff Liz Richards, Tito Campbell, Drea Stephani, Samantha Lueck, Heather Kolling, and Camille Buckley and Mark Blevin with RACN.

By Stephanie Huppert

Three Associate Wardens from across the department traveled to Huntsville, Texas as they were chosen to be a part of the Warden's Peer Interaction Program held at Sam Houston State University, October 2 - 6, 2023.

The conference was a peer-led training where wardens from around the country prepared presentations to train others on prevailing issues in departments throughout their agencies. The presentations included ADA in correctional facilities, contraband detection, suicide prevention, giving back to communities, cultural change, Scandinavian style corrections, and many others.

This program also included tours of prisons within the Texas Criminal Justice system, and meeting with senior leadership from other states in the country.

(L-R) Laura Westphal AWA Faribault, Ian Heaslip AWA Moose Lake, and Stephanie Huppert AWA Rush City