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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.

  • Congratulations to Paul Peterson on Warden WOOC Position

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    By Carla Pocket

    Congratulations to Paul Peterson, who has accepted the Warden WOOC for CIP, behind Warden Gino Anselmo effective April 12, while he is on leave.

    Paul retired from the Bureau of Prisons after 26 years. He held various positions which included Associate Warden Industry and Education, Supervisor of Education, F/S Administrator, Program Reviewer, Lieutenant, and Correctional Officer.

    In 2015 Paul started his career with the MN DOC as a Correctional Teaching Assistant at MCF-ML. In December of 2016 he accepted his current position as a Program Director of MCF-WR CIP.

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  • Shout Out: Officer Robert Decker Sr.

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    By Officer Giles LaBelle

    In March of 2024 after 25 years of manually checking in incarcerated individuals into the North Education department, Officer Robert Decker Sr. took the initiative to integrate the electronic attendance program currently utilized in our Industry area.

    This project allowed us to streamline the attendance process and better track who is coming into the area. Without Ofc. Decker championing this project it may have never happened.

    Ofc. Decker has dedicated his last 20 years to the department and still has many left in him.


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  • Shout Out: Officer Kautz

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    By Anonymous

    Officer Kautz started in late 2018. After Officer Kautz graduated from both Academy and Field Training, I had the benefit of observing Officer Kautz develop on First Watch. Officer Kautz displayed, at that time, characteristics the agency hopes for all newer officers to possess. Characteristics like motivation, open mindedness, maturity, as well as treating the incarcerated population in a firm, fair, and consistent manner.

    Presently, Officer Kautz works in Segregation on Third Watch. Officer Kautz has been working in Segregation for quite some time now. It is quite common to find her training newer officers, assisting others with daily unit necessitates, and taking the role of Officer in Charge on days the Sergeant isn't present. Officer Kautz assists greatly with keeping Segregation punctual even on the evenings the facility is found more active with incidents.

    Officer Kautz routinely presents herself, the agency as well, in a professional manner. Officer Kautz's uniform is found squared away and pressed. It is easy to observe that when Officer Kautz talks to the Incarcerated Population it is done in a respectful and interpersonal manner. Officer Kautz still possesses the same characteristics as when she started, years later. Officer Kautz sets a good example for all to look up to on Third Watch.

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  • Staff Visit ICWC work site

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    By Associate Warden Operations Stephanie Huppert

    Assistant Commissioner Jami Doeden and staff from the Red Wing facility conducted a site visit to an ICWC work site at the City of Red Wing solid waste campus. They were able to tour the facility and gain an understanding of the work completed at the campus. The photo below shows about 30,000 pounds of aluminum that has been pulled out of solid waste that may have gone to a landfill if not for the work conducted at the facility.


    Corrections staff standing outside in front of recycled aluminumL to R: Lt. Matt Prose, AC Doeden, AWO Stephanie Huppert, and Captain Erik Meier

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  • 3rd Annual Joe Gomm Memorial "Whatever" Golf Tournament

    By Shelbi Groath

    What: 9-Hole, Shotgun Start, “Best Ball” gameplay.

    When: Saturday, June 8th, 2024 0830 Tee Time

    Where: Applewood Hills Public Golf Course – 11840 60th St N, Stillwater 55082

    What Else: The entry fee is $200.00 per team. This includes the playing fee, 2 golf carts, and 4 entries for door prizes (1 per player). Food will be available for purchase (burgers/brats) following the tournament. The tournament winners will have their names emblazoned on the traveling plaque and receive bragging rights for the year!

    Why: The tournament was started in 2022 in honor of Officer Joe Gomm, EOW 7/18/18. All proceeds benefit the Stillwater Correctional Peace Officer Foundation Committee. CPOF is a nation-wide nonprofit that provides financial assistance to Correctional Staff and their families during emergency situations.

    Who: YOU! All abilities welcome! Pick up registration forms from Officer Sarah Thurston sarah.thurston@state.mn.us or Shelbi Groath Shelbi.groath@state.mn.us. Want to volunteer? Have a small business who wants to sponsor a hole? Contact us at the above emails.


    event flyer, information listed above

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  • Shout Out: Oak Park Heights Visiting Ofc. Oswald and Ofc. Johnson

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    By Melissa Schwartz

    A visitor left a message with Central Office complimenting OPH visiting Ofc. Oswald and Ofc. Johnson. They went above and beyond in assisting this visitor with a non-contact visit. She commended their positive attitude and making her feel welcomed to the facility. She appreciated the great job they're doing and hope there are more staff like them.

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  • Shout Out: St. Cloud Carpentry Crew

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    By Sara Stueve, St. Cloud Librarian

    MCF-SCL Library wants to give a big SHOUT OUT to Ross Fleck, Carpenter, and his IP workers for a fantastic job on building new library book return bins for the treatment units, Unit Bx and Unit Rx!

    The previous bins were in bad shape and too small to return larger books. The new bins look amazing!!!!

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  • Congratulations to Shakopee's Jessica Sayachack on Promotion

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    By Sherlinda Wheeler

    Congratulations to Sgt. Sayachack on her promotion to WOOC Lieutenant. She will be assigned to first watch.


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  • Shout Out: Faribault Staff Assisting with Legal Mail Distribution

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    By Janet Friesen

    On Wednesday, April 3 the mailroom had 84 IP's come up to Intake for legal mail distribution. This was coming off of a very busy morning with Multiple ICS's being called. Multiple staff /Security officers stepped in to help and because of their assistance we were able to get the IP's in/out with no issues and in a timely manner.

    The mailroom wants to give all those staff/officers a big shout out for helping to keep what could have been a very chaotic situation run smooth.

    Mailroom staff are not security staff, so being able to depend on security staff that are willing to go above and beyond their typical daily duties is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks for keeping us and your fellow colleagues safe!


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  • Congratulations to Shakopee's March Academy Graduates

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    By Rebecca Moser

    Please join Shakopee's Executive team in congratulating our new Academy graduates. Welcome!


    group of corrections academy graduates standing togetherL to R: CO G. Rosario, Rec Therapist J. Finney, CO C. Hendrickson, CO S. Bigness, CO P. Peterson, CO K. Beld, CO J. Hussman, CO R VanGarven, CO M. Chude

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Page last updated: 01 Aug 2024, 10:22 AM