Corrections Today articles from June 2007

Corrections Today archives from June 2007

The best professionals partner with the best technology.(Guest Editorial)
June 1, 2007... The corrections professionals submitted for this year's Best in the Business issue have gone above and beyond their required duties, and represent all facets and levels of corrections. They work on the line, in the central office, in the...

The best of the best.(Commentary)
June 1, 2007... Every single minute, every single day, thousands of our peers are working feverishly to ensure the safety and well-being of our nation's youths and adults who have been charged with an offense or are serving time, whether in an institutional...

Profile.(Calmoseptine Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Calmoseptine Inc. markets Calmoseptine Ointment in all 50 states and Canada, Australia and the Philippines. Calmoseptine Inc. has focused its marketing efforts toward hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health care agencies....

Corrections calendar.(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... * National Institute of Justice, July 23-25, Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, Va. For more information, contact Maria Young at (301) 650-8660 or visit www.oojp.usdoj.gov/nij. * National Major Gang Task Force, Sept. 9-12, Reno, Nev. For...

Inmates work off their debts.(News Briefs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Polk County, Fla., has broken ground on a new work camp facility that will house 96 low-risk, nonviolent male inmates, reported The Ledger. The facility, expected to open in January 2008, will cost 2.3 million and will be expanded to hold 400...

Denver drug court returns.(News Briefs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... After a five-year hiatus, Denver's drug court is once again working to speed up drug cases, free jail beds and provide treatment for offenders, according to the Rocky Mountain News. The court will help with jail crowding due to a backlog of...

New York expands Mental Health Services.(News Briefs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... In the state budget, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has called for $60 million over three years for mentally ill inmates, the Times Union reported. Included in this is $50 million in capital construction costs, $2 million for Office of Mental...

Prison system prepares own food.(News Briefs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction runs its own slaughterhouse and butcher shop at the Pickaway Correctional Institution, reported The Plain Dealer. The slaughterhouse employs 85 prisoners who produce the meat to feed most of...

The Second Chance Act moves ahead--slowly.(Legislative Issues)
June 1, 2007... During the 2007 ACA Winter Conference in Tampa, Fla., an oft-asked question was, "Why has it taken more than three years to get the Second Chance Act (comprehensive federal reentry legislation) passed in Congress, especially after a major boost...

Jail commander Pennington County Jail Rapid City, S.D.(Job Bank)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, we serve the citizens of Pennington County with pride. If you're looking for excellence in your career, there's no better team to work with than ours. The selected individual will be...

Program administrator CCCS Inc. Butte, Mont.(Job Bank)(Community, Counseling, and Correctional Services, Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... CCCS Inc., a Butte, Mont., private, nonprofit company is accepting applications for a program administrator position. The program administrator is responsible for a secure juvenile detention facility with approximately 75 staff who provide...

Make ACA your employment source.(Job Bank)(American Correctional Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... ACA's Job Bank column, which appears in each issue of Corrections Today and On the Line, is a great opportunity for you to reach nearly 18,000 readers with information concerning vacant positions within your agency or facility. The cost for ads...

New certification program for correctional nurses.(Professional Development Update)
June 1, 2007... The American Correctional Association officially launched its new certified corrections nurse (CCN) and nurse manager (CCN/M) program in January at the Winter Conference in Tampa, Fla. Nine individuals earned the designation of CCN/M, with...

Correctional health perspectives.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The American Correctional Association's 137th Congress of Correction in Kansas City, Mo., Aug. 10-15, will have more 100 workshops examining all areas of correctional administration programs and services. All congress participants will be able...

Health Care workshops and events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... Friday, Aug. 10 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. H-PIS Welcome Reception (Sponsored by Prison Health Services) Saturday, Aug. 11 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. A-1 Implementing ACA Juvenile Health Care Performance-Based Standards A-2...

Dedicated social worker makes a difference.(Best in the Business)(Jodi Cain)
June 1, 2007... Jodi Cain, a social worker at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center (EHCC) in St. Gabriel, La., has had her hands full for almost nine years. EHCC is the second largest prison in Louisiana, housing more than 2,100 adult male inmates. The institution...

Fast action and courage prevent a deadly situation.(Best in the Business)
June 1, 2007... Roger Chaffin and Nathan Clark were both drawn to corrections because they shared an interest in law enforcement and the justice system. "It was just a natural evolution to gravitate to corrections," according to Chaffin, a special...

A little lady makes a big difference.(Best in the Business)(Ruby Clay)
June 1, 2007... Ruby Clay, 88, has been volunteering her time for the past 25 years to adult and juvenile offenders in east central Florida. And she has no plans of stopping any time soon. Clay now serves as chaplain and ministry coordinator at the Brevard...

Off-duty officer rushes to the rescue.(Best in the Business)(Todd Dillon )
June 1, 2007... A heroic act may be just part of another day for a well-trained and vigilant officer, but it always has profound effects on the lives of others. Mississippi probation officer Todd Dillon is glad he was there to rescue 8-year-old Ellis Alford in...

Making a difference in her own backyard.(Best in the Business)(Nancy Doom)
June 1, 2007... Nancy Doom grew up in the shadow of the "Castle on Cumberland," the men's maximum-security facility that is such an important part of the community in Lyon County, Ky. The Kentucky State Penitentiary dates back to 1886, and Doom has had a hand...

Cook serves camaraderie, hope and respect.(Best in the Business)(Cheryl Graf )
June 1, 2007... Cheryl Graf cannot say enough good things about her job. And the people around her, cannot thank her enough for all she does. Graf's dedication to her job, the inmates and the community is unparalleled. As an adult corrections cook at the...

A career devoted to helping youthful offenders.(Best in the Business)(Jim Heafner)
June 1, 2007... Jim Heafner's leadership and vision have made a big difference in Alaska. With its huge size, geographic isolation and distinctive cultural heritage, Alaska faces some unusual challenges in providing reentry services for juvenile offenders....

Ohio warden rises to the challenge.(Best in the Business)(Kelleh Konteh )
June 1, 2007... Kelleh Konteh did not plan on a career in corrections. "I think the career chose me, because I was not really looking to go into corrections," said Konteh, warden since 2000 at the Toledo Correctional Institution within the Ohio Department of...

Technology wiz leads and mentors with patience.(Best in the Business)(Pei Ti Lee )
June 1, 2007... Pei Ti Lee is praised by her supervisors and co-workers for many endearing qualities. At least two of her talents account for her rapid accomplishment of difficult tasks and the increased computer literacy of workers at the Connecticut...

Top M.D. gives blood, sweat and tears to profession.(Best in the Business)(doctor of medicine Lannette Linthicum)
June 1, 2007... In 1986, Dr. Lannette Linthicum was sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) by the U.S. Public Health Service, National Health Services Corps. as part of a four-year commitment she made to federal service in exchange for the...

Prison spiritual adviser takes orders from above.(Best in the Business)(Lydia Moore-Hale )
June 1, 2007... One night as she was leaving work, Lydia Moore-Hale asked the Creator if working with inmates was right for her. She said to the sky, "If you give me a sign, Grandfather, I will never deny your work." She then saw half-dollar size snowflakes...

Counselor jumps in to stop a courtroom attack.(Best in the Business)(Rudy Small )
June 1, 2007... Rudy Small proved himself a hero to fellow staff members at the Augusta State Medical Prison on March 16, 2006, when he single-handedly rescued them from the attack of a mentally ill inmate. According to Warden Victor Walker, "Small...

Leader develops effective training programs.(Best in the Business)(Lt. Scott Swearengin)
June 1, 2007... Lt. Scott Swearengin has "long been seen as an innovative leader" during his 17 years at Western Missouri Correctional Center (WMCC), according to Missouri Department of Corrections Director Larry Crawford. Swearengin is well-known for his...

Agency's first volunteer coordinator makes a big impact.(Best in the Business)(Nkenge Watkins)
June 1, 2007... Volunteer coordinators seldom receive the recognition they deserve for their work. However, during the past two years, Nkenge Watkins, volunteer and program coordinator for the District of Columbia's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services...

A career and a life devoted to helping youths.(Best in the Business)(Rick Wessinger)
June 1, 2007... For nearly 30 years, Rick Wessinger has been involved with helping youths, and that suits him well. "I have always enjoyed working with youth. I wanted to make a difference and to help bring about positive changes in my community and state," he...

Canadian visitor braves waves and rock cliff to help.(Best in the Business)(Corey Wood)
June 1, 2007... The Big Sur Coast Highway has been a legendary attraction in California for nearly 70 years. The highway affords a one-of-a-kind view along a very dramatic section of the California coastline. With pounding surf, rocky cliffs and a winding...

List of submissions.(Best In The Business 2007)
June 1, 2007... The following corrections personnel were submitted for the 2007 Best in the Business issue. Many thanks to the correctional agencies and ACA chapters and affiliates for this year's submissions. Alabama Darwin Halbrooks and Richard...

Crisis call: phoning the hostage taker: "body alarm in the kitchen!".
June 1, 2007... With this announcement starts the beginning of a protracted standoff between two inmates and correctional staff. The inmates have taken the food service supervisor hostage in her office and barricaded the doors and windows. Because her office...

Automated Video Surveillance: improving CCTV to detect and prevent incidents.(closed circuit television)
June 1, 2007... An inmate is murdered and at the time of the murder an officer assigned to monitor the 24-hour CCTV surveillance cameras failed to notice because he was reading a book and making personal phone calls. (1) An inmate is murdered and the body...

Corrections business intelligence: safety in numbers.
June 1, 2007... Governors, legislators, correctional administrators, employees, media, citizens, victims groups... stakeholders, partners, watchdogs... all demand information about the business of corrections. Requests from external and internal stakeholders...

Make plans to join us in Kansas City: 137th Congress of Correction Kansas City, Missouri August 10-15, 2007.(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... Don't procrastinate! Mark your calendars now, and start making plans to join the American Correctional Association in Kansas City, Mo., for the 137th Congress of Correction, Aug. 10-15 at the Bartle Hall Convention Center. Come and network with...

Creating a faith-based restorative justice community in a maximum-security prison.
June 1, 2007... Although most restorative justice programs take place outside of prison, there is a strong interest in bringing these programs into the prison environment. Various forms of victim-offender empathy and reconciliation programs have been...

The correctional tetrahedron: an effective correctional management model.
June 1, 2007... Firefighters know about the fire tetrahedron, which is a representation of the components that result in the chemical reaction of fire. To have a fire, the necessary legs of the fire tetrahedron must all be present: heat, oxygen and fuel....

In memoriam.(Obituary)
June 1, 2007... Susan C. Cranford 1947-2007 Corrections mourns the loss of Susan C. Cranford, who died March 22 after a long battle with cancer. Cranford distinguished herself in the field of criminal justice with a lifetime of service to the state of...

The Association of Women Executives in Corrections.(Affiliate Corner)(Organization overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Association of Women Executives in Corrections (AWEC) is a membership organization with a mission to provide leadership development for female executives, support the career advancement of women in corrections and promote informed...

North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents.(Affiliate Corner)(Organization overview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... NAAWS is the largest, most diverse and oldest organization of prison administrators in the United States and Canada. Its members work in adult and juvenile corrections, in both private and public entities, and run small community-based...

Welcome new members.(Membership News)
June 1, 2007... ORGANIZATIONAL FLORIDA--Pinellas County Department of Justice and Consumer Services MAINE--Kennebec County Correctional Facility NORTH DAKOTA--Three Affiliated Tribes TEXAS--El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department ...

Reducing aggression in juvenile facilities: Ohio's plan: a youth, frustrated with his schoolwork, throws a desk and injures a teacher. During a basketball game, a fight for a ball sends one youth to the hospital. In a fit of rage, a youth punches his arm through a window and severs his tendons in the process.(Juvenile Justice News)
June 1, 2007... Unfortunately, incidents like these are all too common within juvenile facilities across the country. Like many other juvenile justice entities, the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) has struggled with reducing aggression and physical...

Pretrial Justice: Principles and Practice.(NIC Update)
June 1, 2007... On June 30, 2005, 62 percent of the nation's jail inmates were awaiting court action on their current charge. (1) In almost any jurisdiction, one can find new arrestees in custody pending an initial hearing and the adjudication of charges....

From good intentions to evidence-based: paving the right road.(Research Notes)
June 1, 2007... One of the great mysteries of correctional practice is how a program or practice moves from one facility to become a standard part of the corrections world. In the world of social science, this is known as the "diffusion of innovations," the...

Obtaining federal benefits for disabled offenders: part 2--Medicaid benefits.(NIJ Update)(Report)
June 1, 2007... This month's column is the second of three articles about findings from research funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Mental Health, and the John D....

Rotondo Weirich Enterprises, Inc.(Private Sector News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Rotondo Weirich Enterprises, Inc. (RW), based in Lederach, Pa., is working with general contractor Flintco Inc. for another expansion to the Corrections Corporation of America's Northfork Correctional Facility in Sayre, Okla. The expansion will...

BI Inc.(Private Sector News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... BI Inc., a provider of offender monitoring systems and reentry services for community corrections, has won an award from the Illinois Department of Corrections toprovide GPS offender monitoring technology for high-risk sex offenders. The...

DLR Group.(Private Sector News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... DLR Group has been ranked No. 1 in two market sectors this year by World Architecture magazine. World Architecture surveys architectural firms around the world and lists the top 10 firms in each major market sector by income. Published by the...