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Corrections Connection Volume 31, Issue 6 July 2019 Corrections Connection July 2019 2 In this issue: Climbing Higher 3 Field Days Podcast 5 Staff wellness survey 6 New employee spotlight 7 Corrections Officer Academy 8 New officer profile 8 COMS 9 Pell Grants 9 Employee Recreation Day 10 Stress Management Tool 10 With Thanks 11 Employee discounts 11 The Extra Mile 12 Crisis Intervention Training 12 Corrections Quiz 13 Officer recognized 13 Snapshots 14 Corrections in the News 14 Seen on Social Media 14 New Hires 15 Retirements 19 Corrections Connection is a publication of the The image on the cover was taken at Pictured Rocks National Office of Public Information and Communications. Lakeshore by MaKenna May, a student assistant with the Story ideas, feedback and comments can Procurement, Monitoring and Compliance Division. be submitted to Holly Kramer at KramerH@ For the chance to have your photo featured on the cover of michigan.gov. the newsletter, email a high-resolution version of the image Like MDOC on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. and a description of where it was taken to Holly Kramer at [email protected]. Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection July 2019 3 Climbing Higher Partnership with The climbing structure and tree are part of a new training program that will help prepare prisoners DTE Energy trains for careers helping utility companies protect power lines and keep the lights on in Michigan. The unique program was created in partnership prisoners to fill with DTE Energy, which depends on 1,300 skilled tree trimmers to keep trees away from power lines, in-demand jobs but has faced a shortage of qualified workers for the role. “There’s nothing in the world that exists like this,” t’s unlike anything you’d find in any classroom — said James Son, instructor for the program. “Not in especially one at a correctional facility. prison, or out of prison, where you can go and get A 45-foot-tall climbing structure topped with this kind of in-depth training day in and day out. Iflags and draped with colorful climbing ropes stands We’re on the cusp of something huge here.” out against the landscape of brick buildings and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who attended a launch of fences at Parnall Correctional Facility. the program, praised the partnership. In a classroom nearby at the facility’s Vocational We have an opportunity here to make Michigan Village, a hardwood tree, harvested on Michigan an example for the country and set a nationwide Department of Corrections property, extends 30 standard for criminal justice reform,” Whitmer said. feet from floor to ceiling with clipped branches “This skilled trades program will improve outcomes outstretched. Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection July 2019 4 curriculum for the program. Dean Bradley, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 17 said the organization was “proud to be part of this potentially life-changing opportunity for returning citizens.” “The line clearance, tree trim industry is a tough trade and one of the most hazardous jobs in the utility industry,” Bradley said. “At Local 17 we believe in second chances and this training is a great opportunity to be successful with that second chance.” Pictured: State Rep. Julie Alexander and DTE Executive Chairman Gerry Anderson stand with Prisoners who complete the students in the tree trimming training program at Parnall Correctional Facility. training at Parnall will enter into of the folks going through our returning citizens into the the Local 17 IBEW line clearance, criminal justice system, save company’s workforce and they tree trimming apprentice taxpayer dollars on recidivism, have already seen positive results. program. The training will include and make our communities safer.” The company has been hiring 5,000 hours of on-the-job training The DTE Energy Foundation returning citizens for the last few with pay, and 200 hours of provided an initial $100,000 years and 90 percent are still with classroom training. grant to create the program and DTE and doing well. That’s a lower “This is the right time and purchase training equipment for turnover rate than the average it’s the right place and it’s the the learning lab. employee, Anderson said. right partnership,” said MDOC “Returning citizens are looking “A criminal record shouldn’t Director Heidi Washington. “We for a second lease on life and if bring with it a life sentence of embarked on the creation of the given that second lease they will unemployment,” Anderson said. Vocational Villages a few years be among your most engaged, “Too often it does, so we’re going ago because we saw talent here committed and best employees,” to scale up our hiring of returning that was untapped and we have a said DTE Executive Chairman citizens at DTE.” need in our state for skilled trades Gerry Anderson. The first class of 24 tree trimmers workers. He said he challenged the DTE began on June 10, and they will We can provide all the first-class team to look for ways to bring finish in the next six to nine training... but there has to be a job months. at the end of that. Through the Within the program, partnership with DTE and other students will learn great companies and with IBEW, to safely climb we’re making it all come together.” trees, use tree Jeffrey Gunnells, a prisoner who trim equipment is a student in the program, called and obtain a the MDOC, DTE, and IBEW Commercial Local 17’s commitment to the Driver’s License. program “inspiring.” DTE also worked “Here the state is doing more closely with the for us and I want to challenge us International wearing blue and orange to never Brotherhood of take that for granted and to build Electrical Workers and invest in ourselves,” Gunnells Local 17 to design said. “Let’s learn. Let’s grow. and install the We’re one decision away from a Pictured: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks to training program students, climbing structure completely different life.” MDOC and DTE staff and other stakeholders during a launch of the program. and create a training Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection July 2019 5 Check out this news coverage on the launch of the tree trimming training program at Parnall Correctional Facility: Prisoners gain opportunity in growth industry: tree trimming — Detroit News New program trains Michigan inmates for tree- trimming jobs after prison — Detroit Free Press Tree-trimming program gives inmates chance to learn job skills — MLive DTE partners with Department of Corrections to train prisoners for work after release — Crain’s Detroit Business DTE Energy to hire inmates through new tree Pictured: A student participates in a climbing demonstration during a formal trimming program — WLNS TV launch of the training program. DTE, Michigan Department of Corrections launch tree Click the image on the left trimming training program for prisoners — WDIV TV to listen to an episode of the Field Days Podcast featuring Michigan launches first-ever tree trimming program remarks from Gov. Gretchen for prisoners — WILX TV Whitmer, DTE Executive Michigan inmates to be trained in first-ever tree- Chairman Gerry Anderson, trimming program — WXYZ TV and MDOC Director Heidi Washington about this new DTE Energy, Michigan Department of Corrections program. partner for prisoner job training program — FOX 66 TV Click here to see more photos from the event. Check HAVEout these other greatYOU episodes HEARD?of the Field Days Podcast • Check out this episode to hear more about how the department is reaching out to the families of new corrections officers to provide information and resources that can help them and new recruits. • Members of the MDOC Shooting Team talk about upcoming competitions and how all MDOC employees have a chance to hone their skills and participate in events. • Director’s Award winner Jennifer Metro talks about her career with the department and passion for helping others succeed. Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection July 2019 6 From the Director: Results of staff wellness survey underscore the importance of improving employee well-being n December, the department launched a This survey and the report that followed is a Isurvey in partnership with Desert Waters clear reminder that there is significant work left Correctional Outreach to assess the well-being to be done to improve the mental and physical of all employees across the department. well-being of our staff. The goal of this important, anonymous survey Moving forward, the MDOC will approach this was to identify key factors that could guide our issue and the concerns shared in the survey in ongoing efforts to improve staff wellness and an honest, transparent manner, starting with reduce incidents of employee suicide. this letter. Having done a similar survey in partnership While we cannot entirely remove the challenges with MCO three years ago, which just looked associated with working in a correctional at corrections officers, we knew what we could environment, we can, and will, work to establish expect, but the results made it clear we still have a culture of wellness that seeks to reduce stress. a lot of work to do. We will continue to improve trainings and This survey confirmed that like correctional resources that promote resiliency, improve your staff in other states, MDOC employees exhibit working environment and ultimately move the a significantly higher likelihood of symptoms department to a proactive approach that is more related to PTSD, suicidal ideation, anxiety, supportive of your needs. depression and alcohol abuse compared to the This change will not happen overnight, but the general public, and in many cases, even first building blocks for wellness have been laid over responders.

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