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Welcome to the Minnesota Department of Corrections staff newsletter! Current stories will be posted here, so check back often to see the latest updates.
Some stories are longer or contain additional photos. Click on story titles or "continue reading" to open the full view.
Welcome to the Minnesota Department of Corrections staff newsletter! Current stories will be posted here, so check back often to see the latest updates.
Some stories are longer or contain additional photos. Click on story titles or "continue reading" to open the full view.
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St Cloud's Newest Academy Grads
By Marisol Ortega
Please join SCL and its Executive Team in congratulating July's graduating academy.
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Faribault's Westphal Promotes to WOOC AWO
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!
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2023 Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week
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!
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DOC K9s Compete To Win
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
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Introducing New Secondary Education Director Bock
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.
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Health Services - Basic Life Support Instructors
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.”
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Faribault's Tobin Promotes to Executive Assistant
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!
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Hattenberger Promoted to Sergeant at Moose Lake
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!
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Moose Lake's Lieutenant Frank Misiak Retires
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.
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Faribault Promotes Paige Morris to Volunteer Services Coordinator
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!
Story Categories
- Academy (22)
- Appreciation (3)
- CIP (1)
- Central Office (20)
- Event (1)
- Faribault (48)
- Field Services (57)
- Graduates (1)
- Graduation (5)
- Honor Guard (1)
- LIno Lakes (1)
- Lino Lakes (61)
- MINNCOR (1)
- MNIT (2)
- Moose Lake (26)
- Oak Park Heights (39)
- Obituaries (3)
- Obituary (1)
- Promotion (50)
- Recognition (37)
- Recruitment (4)
- Red Wing (8)
- Retention Heroes (4)
- Retirement (18)
- Rush City (44)
- SORT (1)
- STS (1)
- Shakopee (37)
- Shout Out (181)
- St. Cloud (41)
- Stillwater (41)
- Togo (5)
- Training (3)
- Transformation (16)
- Willow River (7)
- recruitment (1)