Corrections Connection Volume 31, Issue 11 December 2019 Corrections Connection December 2019 2 In this issue: A focus on well-being 3 Meet the Wellness Unit 5 Field Days Podcast 5 A look back at 2019 6 New Employee Spotlight 7 Agent credited for parolee success 8 Prison population decline 9 Staff show support 9 COMS update 10 Shop with a Cop 11 Operation Clean Sweep 11 Town hall 11 With Thanks 12 The Extra Mile 14 Corrections Quiz 17 Dogs of MDOC 17 Remembering Alvin Whitfield 17 MSI website 17 Snapshots 18 Corrections in the news 18 Seen on social media 18 New Hires 19 Retirements 23 Corrections Connection is a publication of the The image on the cover was taken by Ray Closson, a Office of Public Information and Communications. corrections officer at Parnall Correctional Facility. Story ideas, feedback and comments can For the chance to have your photo featured on the be submitted to Holly Kramer at KramerH@ cover of the newsletter, email a high-resolution michigan.gov. version of the image and a description of where it was Like MDOC on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. taken to Holly Kramer at [email protected]. Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection December 2019 3 A Focus on Well-being New Wellness every correctional facility, about a dozen field offices and has talked about wellness at corrections officer Program provides recruit family orientations, graduations, employee training sessions and leadership retreats. “We have enjoyed meeting so many incredible and support, resources to dedicated MDOC staff who have trusted us to walk beside them through their trials and assist them,” said MDOC community Lennie Alcorn, a Wellness Coordinator with the unit. “That trust and confidence is priceless.” In 2018, Director Heidi Washington created an EPIC or MDOC Wellness Program Manager Lynn Wellness Team tasked with determining resources and Gorski and her team, every day is different. programs the department could offer to employees It could start with an early-morning phone to help them deal with stress they face at work and Fcall, a visit to new corrections officer recruits at the at home. One of the recommendations of that team academy or a talk with field agents about wellness was the creation of a Wellness Program dedicated efforts. Plans change at a moment’s notice when there’s to supporting MDOC employees, retirees and their an urgent need. eligible family members. They wouldn’t have it any other way. The program was launched in May after Gorski joined “The people in the MDOC are incredible,” Gorski said. the department. The Wellness team oversees traumatic “Our mission of supporting the wellness of the MDOC incident response services for the MDOC and now community and the well-being of those who serve is a includes a chaplain and licensed mental health labor of love for us.” professionals dedicated to employee well-being. As the In the last six months, the Wellness Unit has visited MDOC Wellness Program Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection December 2019 4 seriously and with thoughtful consideration. Your ideas and suggestions can have an impact on wellness, and we are always looking for ways we might be able to facilitate change. We take your ideas and try to best determine the positive impact and feasibility of implementing such within the near future. Although we are not a decision-making entity for administrators, supervisors and wardens, we do communicate with them about wellness. Employee wellness has been welcomed to “the table” in many areas across divisions, Pictured: Wellness Coordinator Lennie Alcorn and Wellness Program Manager Lynn regions and workplaces. Gorski greet staff at the Steve Rivard Corrections Officer Academy Class graduation. develops, it will also include formal support from MDOC leaders, the Tips for managing stress a Peer Support and Chaplains’ bargaining units’ leadership, and during the holidays Program. retirees. • Get outside: It might be Sandra Powell, a Wellness cold, but sunshine and Are you part of the statewide Coordinator with the unit, said activity outdoors can help Employee Service Program? it has been an honor to have the lift your mood. The Employee Service Program opportunity to build a program • Breathe: When you feel is a resource for every state from the ground up that will have anxiety or tension build- department within the State of such a significant impact on so ing, respond by taking Michigan. They are available many. slow, deep breaths. Monday through Friday from 8 “To be able to participate in the • Stay connected: Find time a.m.- 5 p.m. The MDOC Wellness groundbreaking and formational for the people you enjoy Program was created by and for the work of wellness in corrections is a being around, but when MDOC community. We provide unique privilege,” Powell said. comprehensive services out in you need your space, set Lloyd Scharer, who oversees the the field and at worksites. From boundaries and honor Wellness Program’s Chaplain 24/7 crisis response, wellness that with some quiet Services, agreed. consultations and training, the time. “Making a difference in the lives Wellness Unit is committed only • Practice self compassion: of those who are dedicated to to the MDOC community. We are Show some kindness to this service is meaningful for us,” available for employees, retirees, yourself and take time to Scharer said. “It truly does not feel and their eligible family members. give yourself credit. like a job when you have such a sense of purpose.” Is what I tell you confidential, or will it get back to my supervisors Ask the MDOC Wellness Unit Presents, Presence and or human resources? We asked the Wellness Unit what Patience During the Our clinicians work within the questions they hear most often and Holidays podcast series HIPAA guidelines of confidentiality. how they address them. Chaplain Scharer “Chap” also works Listen as the MDOC Wellness Is the Wellness Program a within the professional and legal Unit discusses tips for handling temporary effort? guidelines. More importantly, stress during the holidays and Absolutely not. The Wellness we truly value the integrity of our focusing on the positive. Program is a part of the MDOC work with people and safeguard Strategic Plan and employee our commitment to the MDOC Holiday Stress and Wellness wellness continues to be a community. Family, Friends and Faith significant part of the discussion for Will my ideas or suggestions go Coming next week: Acceptance the future of the MDOC. We have anywhere? been privileged to find dedicated and Appreciation We take your ideas and concerns Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection December 2019 5 Meet the MDOC Wellness Unit Lynn Gorski is the Pro- Lennie Alcorn worked Sandra Powell served Lloyd Scharer most gram Manager for the as a Parole Agent for the as a Limited Licensed recently served as chaplain MDOC Wellness Program. MDOC for 25 years before Psychologist at Lakeland at Richard A. Handlon Cor- She is honored to be part joining the Wellness Unit Correctional Facility rectional Facility and will of this essential wellness as a Wellness Coordinator. before joining the Wellness oversee the Wellness Pro- initiative She be- Unit as a gram’s for the gan her Wellness Chaplain MDOC community. career Coor- Services. Prior to with the dinator. Prior to join- depart- She join- ing the ment in spent ing the MDOC, Detroit years MDOC, she and later in the he served worked trans- human as Vice with ferred to services President Michigan State Police the Monroe County Parole field which included teach- of Enrollment at Great employees for almost nine and Probation Office. She ing and advising at Oak- Lakes Christian College. years as a police psycholo- also has worked as an land University, providing He currently volunteers gist in the Office of -Be institutional parole agent human resource consult- as Chaplain and Victims havioral Services. She also served as a mental health at Women’s Huron Valley ing in the auto industry, Advocate for the Eaton professional with the Ber- Correctional Facility. and working as a human County Sheriff’s Office rien County Sheriff’s De- She has a Master’s De- resource and accounting and as Chaplain and Peer partment providing services gree in addiction coun- specialist for a McDon- Supporter for the Delta within the correctional and seling and in professional ald’s franchisee. She has a Township Fire Department. criminal justice fields. She counseling. She has been passion for lifelong learn- He has a Bachelor’s Degree has a Master’s Degree in a licensed professional ing and finding new ways in theology and Christian Psychology. counselor since 2012. to help others. ministry and a Master’s in business administration. Check HAVEout these other greatYOU episodes HEARD?of the Field Days Podcast • Listen in as Bureau of Health Care Services Administrator Marti Kay Sherry and Substance Abuse Services Manager Beth Boyd share details on the department’s Medication-Assisted Treatment Program. • Check out this 4th installment in a series about the new Corrections Offender Management System to hear more about the COMS health care module. • Hear about how an education program at Thumb Correctional Facility is preparing prisoners for success. Committed to Protect, Dedicated to Success Corrections Connection December 2019 6 A look back at 2019 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist have made it a priority to meet and speak with MDOC employees. Gov. Whitmer spoke to graduating corrections officers in September, visited with staff at Employee Recreation Day in June and stopped by Central Office with Lt. Gov. Gilchrist in January. Lt. Gov. Gilchrist also visited staff at the Employee Appreciation Banquet in May, Parnall Correctional Facility in October and appeared on the Field Days Podcast.