Pugsley Connection Keeping You Informed 9 15 09

The Pugsley Connection August 2009

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The Pugsley Connection Keeping You Informed

August 2009

State Police Post Commander Jeffery Anthony and ARUS Dawn Ellsworth

LAW ENFORCEMENT GETS INVOLVED

When I was approached back in the fall of 2008 regarding participation in MPRI, my first thought was, “What role could law enforcement possibly play in this initiative?” I have spent my entire career trying to gather enough evidence to put criminals behind bars, not working to try to keep them out of prison. I have long been a proponent of building more prisons and locking away those who cannot play a positive role in society. With some apprehension, I attended my first MPRI meeting to see what this new initiative was really about. I was pleasantly surprised by the attendance of various professionals from multiple disciplines, and the dedication they brought to this project. At the conclusion of the meeting, I signed up to be the law enforcement representative on the steering team for the northeast 14 counties. It was clear that when it came to incarceration, my motto of, “If you build it, they will come” was antiquated thinking and needed to be modernized. It was the proverbial “no-brainer” when it came to my involvement. First of all, it is important to clear up a common misconception about MPRI. MPRI is not an “early release” program. All participants have completed at least their minimum sentence. These individuals are going to be paroled anyway, so why not add some tools that ensure the parolee has the best possible opportunity for a successful transition back into their communities. Many states, Michigan included, have historically done a poor job of preparing parolees for re-entry into the general population. A vast majority often walked out of prison with limited


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transportation options, little or no financial support, no employment prospects, and most significant, no place to stay. Is it any wonder that nearly half returned to a life of crime? It should be clear to everyone that we cannot continue to warehouse all offenders. One of the very best ways to reduce our prison population is to reduce the rate of recidivism. The benefits of this reduction are numerous, including reduced burden on taxpayers, stronger family unity, and safer communities. As part of my participation in MPRI, I began doing a law enforcement workshop at Pugsley Correctional Facility in Kingsley. I spend approximately 1 ½ hours talking with prisoners who are about to be released. I was undeniably skeptical about what kind of reception a uniformed state police officer would receive, but I could not be more pleased with the active dialogue and positive response. My first session involved 12 participants with varying backgrounds. The initial reception was lukewarm. However, as I provided examples of specific assistance I was willing to provide, the eye contact increased and heads began to nod. There was some very positive discussion throughout my presentation and afterward. I have since been contacted by two of those individuals who are now out of prison and trying to rebuild their lives, and reconnect positively with their families and communities. I am pleased to report that I was able to assist both subjects with their issue of concern. The first individual had a handgun registered in his name and stored at the residence he intended to occupy when released. I was able to contact a relative and provide guidance on the removal and sale of the weapon so that the parolee would not be in violation the moment he entered the residence. In the second instance, a parolee who is also a registered sex offender had been threatened by a neighbor who believed that the parolee was violating his parole conditions. There was concern that future incidents may result in an assault. I was able to speak with the subject’s parole agent and determine that no violation had occurred. I then personally contacted the neighbor and discussed the issue with him. At the conclusion of our conversation, he was satisfied with the explanation of terms, and thanked me for taking the time to come to his residence and address his concern. He agreed that had it not been for some type of police intervention, escalation was inevitable. The parolee was equally pleased with the response and swift resolution of the potential conflict. These are just a couple of examples where law enforcers across the state can play a significant role in the MPRI process. MPRI offers so much more to those who take advantage of the opportunities presented. I strongly encourage law enforcement officials to educate yourself about MPRI and use it as a tool to keep your community safe. Space does not permit a thorough review of all law enforcement intervention potential, but I would suggest that you are only limited by your initiative and resourcefulness. In closing, I do not intend to imply that all participants will become solid citizens. I am very realistic in my expectations, and I assure you that my number one goal is to catch those who violate our citizenry. However, if preventing crime is truly a priority over solving a crime that has already been committed, how can we as law enforcers pass up the opportunity to do just that? If my participation keeps one parolee from returning to prison, that’ s money saved, family value maintained, a safer community to live in, and one more bed available for the incorrigible. Jeff Anthony is a 29 - year veteran police officer who is currently assigned as the post commander for the Michigan State Police, West Branch and Gladwin Posts. He serves on the MPRI Steering Team for the northeast 14 counties.


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““WWee aarree wwhhaatt wwee rreeppeeaatteeddllyy ddoo,, EEXXCCEELLLLEENNCCEE,,

tthheerreeffoorree,, iiss nnoott aann aacctt bbuutt aa hhaabbiitt..””

--AArriissttoottllee

COLLABORATIVE CASE MANAGEMENT

Everyone has a “role” in Collaborative Case Management

Transition Team Members meet with offenders as part of the In-Reach Process

Collaborative Case Management Training is coming to Pugsley 9/8/09 10/5/09 9/14/09 10/12/09 9/21/09 10/19/09 9/28/09

NEW TO PUGSLEY

I am pleased to announce that effective August 23, 2009 Captain Joe Chudzinski will begin employment with Pugsley Correctional Facility. He comes to us from Standish Maximum Facility where he currently holds a Captain position. He will be assigned to 2nd shift. Please join me and congratulating him upon his arrival at MPF.

FOA News

Facility Parole Agent - Dan Bard

Here at Pugsley Correctional Facility my position of representative for FOA in a collaborative effort to prepare parolees for their return to the community is a unique challenge. We receive program participants about 60 days prior to their release and the excitement and anxiety of this event is moving. We have some participants who have served less than a year of incarceration, due to jail credits or violation sanction, to offenders who have served over 20 years. This positive energy opens an opportunity to lend support or offer guidance to a population that may have been reluctant in the past. Through programs on mentoring or job preparation, up to meeting with their parole agent prior to release, the goal remains on making better citizens of this population and in turn a safer community.

New Agent announced I am pleased to announce that Agent Patrick Kochanny has accepted the agent position in Wexford County. Pat comes from the Muskegon County Parole Office. He resides in the Cadillac area and will be a great addition to the Wexford County Office. His tentative start date is September 8th. Congratulations to Pat. -Charles Kennard, Supervisor


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NEW Parole Supervisors Appointed Charles Kennard & Charles Welch Have been promoted to parole supervisors “Here is what they have to say” I am extremely excited about my new role as Supervisor in Benzie, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford Counties. I appreciate the support of the Muskegon Area and my dedicated staff. It is a privilege to supervise individuals who are committed to ensuring public safety as they wholeheartedly work with offenders to make positive adjustments in their lives. We remain excited about the Collaborate Case Management process and the positive impact it is having on offenders in the field. We are fortunate to work closely with the Pugsley Correctional Facility to enhance offender’s successful transition into the community while they are serving their prison sentences. These shared efforts by CFA and FOA enrich the entire Michigan Department of Corrections.

Charles Kennard, Supervisor Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, and Missaukee Counties

"If you do what you've always done,

You’ll get what you've always gotten."

-Anonymous

As the new supervisor of Antrim, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties, I am both excited and challenged to continue the traditions and advancements of this regions MPRI programming. We have seen first hand how Collaborative Case Management and MPRI has not only been a positive change in the way we all do business but also a benefit to clients and the public by creating a person more prepared for re-entry. Doing so by brining together a team of motivated community based service providers, CFA/ FOA staff and the client. I feel everyone's continued commitment to these ideals will continue to enhance our overall goal and I am proud to have been given this opportunity to contribute as part of this team.

Charles S. Welch, Supervisor Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Antrim Counties 328 Washington St. Traverse City, MI 49684

Bill Catinella and Gordan Baas recently retired from the MDOC. Both were instrumental in the development and implementation of MPRI in Northern Michigan. Their Leadership, dedication and service will be greatly missed. We wish both of them the best and a wonderful retirement ☺☺☺☺


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Cynthia Follen: MPRI Facility Coordinator

Facility MPRI Updates

New MPRI In-Reach Facility Effective October 1, 2009 Marquette Branch Prison Level I will become a MPRI In-Reach Facility serving the Upper Peninsula. As a result the Pugsley Correctional Facility will go from covering 39 counties to 24 counties. Marquette Prison will serve as the facility of release for offenders designated MPRI with a parole code of P-70 returning to Upper Peninsula counties. Marquette staff has been working with FOA and Community Partners to develop specialized In-Reach services that are unique to this area’s demographics and service providers. Cross training and assistance by the Pugsley Correctional Staff and the institutional Parole Agent has been taking place with the Marquette Staff to ensure the facility is ready for the transition by October 1st.

New MPRI Prisoner Committee A “MPRI Prisoner Ad Hoc Committee” was established at the facility to serve as a way to educate the prisoner population with current accurate information related Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI) and will be the means for addressing questions, receiving feedback and seeking input from the prisoner population as it relates to MPRI-related issues.

Pugsley Correctional Facility MPRI Unit

Pugsley Correctional Facility is expanding the MPRI unit to include offender’s that are within 18months of their Earliest Release Date. Other criterion is that their parole placement or county of conviction must be within 1 of the 24 counties that are covered by the facility through MPRI. The goal is to fully engage these offenders in MPRI Phase I of the MPRI Model and begin programming that will assist them in Getting Ready to go home. Our objective with this change is to have our offenders working, housing and participating in programming together. Evidence shows that creating an environment that is conducive to change can increase an offender’s positive response to changing old behavior and thinking patterns. Our goal is to create a unit where everyone is working towards the same goal@@@.Going Home and Staying Home. We will continue to provide Phase I programming to all offenders housing at the facility based on the programming assessment and COMPAS outcomes. We expect to have all offenders identified and placed in the before October 1st.

Post ERD Expansion Project The Pugsley Correctional Facility recently trained three staff to assist in providing mandatory programming determined by the Parole Board as part of the Post ERD Expansion Project. Prisoners who are granted a D-52 (parole deferral for programming) by the parole board must complete programming prior to release. MDOC Operating Procedures have been developed and are effective Monday 8/17/2009. Once a prisoner successfully completes mandatory programming then the Parole Board will be notified and the prisoner will be issued a parole (P-70 code). Prisoners will be transferred to the designated In-Reach facility for programming and In-reach services as the prisoners are identified and they meet criteria requirements for placement. The mandatory programming being provided is as follows: Beyond Anger 1, Beyond Anger 2 and Sex Offender Dietetic.


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Carri Briseno: MRS

A Special Thank You is being sent out to Carri Briseno for her work and dedication in assisting our parolees over the years. Carri has represented Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) as a member of the MPRI Transition Team. She has been coming to Pugsley Correctional Facility and meeting with prisoners as part of the MPRI In-Reach Process. Carri was accepted into Cooley Law School and was scheduled to begin in August; however she has been notified of her deployment to Afghanistan. Carri’s last day will be September 18

th. She has been

pleasure to work with and will be greatly missed. Please join me in sharing a special “Thank You” to Carri for her service to us and our country. Sincerely, The MPRI Transition Team

Elvin Barren

HealthCare for Re-Entry Veterans Program Elvin Barren has been meeting with Pugsley Correctional Facility Incarcerated Veterans prior to release as part of the MPRI In-Reach Process. He has been instrumental in helping our offender’s obtain what is needed to access VA services upon their return to the community. To learn more about the HealthCare for Re-entry Veterans Program Please feel free to Contact Elvin.

Michigan Works has hired a new employment specialist to assist our parolees in Emmet/Charlevoix counties. Please welcome Robin Smith to our MPRI Transition Team.


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Pugsley Gardening Project Last year, Senator Jason Allen and a number of community partners were instrumental in the development of the Pugsley Gardening Project. In our first year of operation, the prisoners grew over 18,000 pounds of fresh food which was donated to the Fresh Food Partnership and delivered to local pantries, shelters and community meal programs. This year the Pugsley Gardening Project has expanded their gardens in hopes of increasing amount of fresh produce they will be able to donate for those in need. The facility harvested in July 2,568 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and are on their way to another great year. Some of the items being grown are as follows: beans, onions, peas, squash, broccoli, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes and cucumbers. Many of the prisoners involved in the gardening project participated and completed a Master Gardner Training program this past winter and have completed 40 hours of voluntary work to help make the Garden Project a huge success. Pugsley is proud to be able to give back to our community and help those in need. Written By: Douglas Walter

Genevieve Hoskey Northeast Community Coordinator

Northeast MPRI Full Scale With just a year and a half under its belt, the NORTHEAST has made leaps and bounds in growth. Its Steering Team has grown to 15 members and the Advisory council members to 44. The Northeast has served a total 383 parolees across 14 counties and is holding the recidivism rate at 12%. Pre-release services have been made possible in Batterer's intervention and family reunification sessions with continued services in the community. The Northeast has fully engaged the In-reach process with 13 different correctional facilities and has established 7 Community Transition Team meetings that meet monthly across the vast 14 county area. One of the biggest accomplishments is the collaborative effort that has been achieved between MDOC, Michigan Works, and all community partners. The collective mindset of reducing crime with a plan of services and supervision with each offender has really made Northeast's efforts reality. As the Northeast Steering team continues this work we are looking forward to continued success and the development of resources that will continue to serve parolees with their transition from prison back into the community. MPRI is a worthwhile initiative that is making a difference with many that we serve through MPRI.


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Good day, I recently enjoyed a visit from Cynthia Johnson. Cynthia is a MPRI/IDRP Supervisor in the Office of Parole and Probation Services, MDOC. This department oversees the operation of Tuscola Residential ReEntry Program (TRRP). TRRP provides programming in a controlled residential setting for male parolees. A major facet of that program is BRIDGES, a domestic violence/batterer intervention pretreatment program. Cynthia has invited us to visit TRRP for a tour and an opportunity to sit in on a BRIDGES session. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to connect facility operations with field operations and our local DV providers in order to learn more from each other so that we may prepare parolees for greater success. The visit will be held on September 24th at 10:30 a.m. Cynthia will provide us with a tour and information. We will then break for lunch, and return for observation of a BRIDGES session starting at 1:00. Please RSVP to me by August 26th if you plan to attend. Thank you very much for your time, and I hope you can make it! Genny Hoskey Northeast MPRI Community Coordinator

Sharing Information and Resources

Kmart is offering discount cards to people receiving unemployment. I called Kmart customer service who stated we could promote this. Kmart and Super Kmart stores in the state of Michigan will offer a 20% discount off regularly priced Kmart brand grocery and drugstore merchandise to eligible unemployed customers who register for the Program on kmart.com. We have a direct link to this discount now. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10101_DAP_Unemployment+Program?keywordRedirect=unemployed

ParoleCoach.com ParoleCoach.com is a unique and innovative resource center designed to serve and guide parolees in their re-entry process. ParoleCoach.com provides a wide range of educational materials and resources, including a comprehensive dynamic resource directory, live interactive ParoleCoach Webinars, a cross-indexed resource library of Instructional Videos and Guides, and links to pre-screen outside resources. ParoleCoach.com’s resource center offers a rich, easily accessible, cost effective means of assisting the parolee in his integration back into the community, and his successful completion of parole. ParoleCoach.com’s Website is available 24/7 to parolee participants in the program. ParoleCoach.com is presently serving the Northeast Michigan MPRI Re-Entry Service Region, with plans to extend services statewide. In the first two months of the contract service period, Parole Coach conducted two one-hour pre-release sessions in the MPF Facility for 21 inmates. ParoleCoach.com has conducted six successful call in webinars (three per month) with most participants attending at least two sessions. Parole Coach has successfully helped a number of parolees with a range of re-entry issues including transportation, housing, resource identification, work efforts, personal relationship issues and more. For more information, visit our website at www.parolecoach.com ParoleCoach.com Staff

Patrick C Lynch and Debra A. Boyer

We welcome our Community Partners take

advantage of this opportunity to share information about your

organizations

Helps us all


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Diasbility.gov is launched by US Department of Labor The U.S. Department of Labor today launched Disability.gov, a redesigned federal Web site that connects the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities to thousands of trusted resources on disability-related issues, programs and services. Formerly known as DisabilityInfo.gov, the site has been completely redesigned and updated with new social media tools, such as a blog and a Twitter feed, to encourage feedback and interaction among visitors. Disability.gov is not just for Americans with disabilities, but also for parents of children with disabilities, employers, workforce and human resource professionals, veterans, educators, caregivers and many others. Disability.gov features comprehensive information from 22 federal agencies, as well as educational institutions, non-profit organizations and state and local governments. Topics covered on the site include: benefits; civil rights; community life; education; emergency preparedness; employment; health; housing; technology; and transportation. We ask that you please let your constituents know about Disability.gov. You can do this by sending an e-mail to your networks; placing a news item about the site on your Web site, blog or Twitter feed; or by including an article in the next issue of your newsletter. We would be happy to supply you with any additional communications materials you may need. Please let us know if you would like us to send you a press release, fact sheet, talking points, sample Twitter posts or news articles. IMPORTANT: If you are currently linking to www.DisabilityInfo.gov from your Web site, please take a moment to update your link to www.Disability.gov. If you are not currently linking to us, we hope that you'll add this to your Web site. (http://www.disability.gov/home/link_to_us). Shared BY: Pamela Lloyd Gorski Compliments of the Alpena County Human Services Coordinating Council

"There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow."

O.S. MardenO.S. MardenO.S. MardenO.S. Marden

PROFESSIONAL

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Retired Warden Thomas Phillips

Pugsley Psychologist and Retired Warden are Recognized Warden Thomas Phillips retired this year, but not before being recognized as one of the best. Warden Phillips was instrumental in the incorporation of MPRI initiatives into the department. He chaired several key committees, providing keen insight and representing the best interests of the department with impeccable character and professionalism. Tom worked with community agencies to help give back to the community. In 2008, the prison he oversees, Puglsey Correctional Facility, gave over 18,000 pounds of food to community agencies in need. Warden Phillips was an asset to the MDOC, the community, and the people around him. He is missed in retirement.


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Con’t:

Professional Excellence Award Psychologist Brian Majerczyk has been recognized for delivering psychological services to prisoners and developing skills for staff. He demonstrated his abilities as the team leader, taking on duties at both Pugsley Correctional Facility and Oaks Correctional Facility. Brian continues to excel in his position, even helping Standish Correctional Facility with psychological services delivery while maintaining a positive attitude and being a solution finder when called upon. Brian is widely respected by his peers and is considered a valuable asset by his administrators. F.Y.I volume 21 July 23, 2009

Pugsley Scholarship Golf Scramble

The Pugsley Golf Scramble was held on Saturday July 18

2009 at the Emerald Vale

Golf Course in Manton. This year’s event raised 4,000 dollars to be presented to four graduating seniors from the surrounding area.

Prisoner Work Crews Help Our Community

For the last 15 years, MDOC Crew #3 led by Al Strange has been helping the Grand Traverse Conservation District maintain the 3,000+ acres of parklands they manage, along with performing restoration and safe river access along the Boardman River. This year, after weeks of hauling rock, installing erosion cribbing, and spreading compost, Crew #3 completed restoration of a high bank erosion site along the Boardman River, within the G.T. County’s Natural Education Reserve. The eroding bank is just a few feet off a recreational trail and poses serious safety issues for trail and river users, as well as dumping tons of sediment into the river and decreasing water quality. Nearly 75 tons of stone were hauled in for the project! The crew was able to cut 25 red pine trees from a plantation in a parkland nearby and use them for the stabilization. The trees not only stabilized the slope, but the thinning decreased insect and disease threats within the pine stand. The City of Traverse City donated and delivered 60 yards of compost to be used to get vegetation established quicker, which will aid in the long-term stabilization of this bank. The District provides affordable and environmentally sound land management to the community. This is made possible by the hard work and skill of crew #3 and leader Al Strange.

Written by: Robin Christensen Land Management Specialist GT Conservation District


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Keryx Program at Pugsley

Pugsley Correctional Facility has approved and encourages the Keryx Weekend Program twice each year on the third weekend in May and September. This year, 2009, we held the spring weekend on May 14 - 17. The fall weekend will take place on September 17 - 20. The Keryx program is a lay-led, non-denominational, Christian-based ministry designed to be conducted in any correctional institution based on the Cursillo method. A weekend on the outside would be called Des Colores, Cursillo or Walk to Emmaus. The program was brought from a Florida correctional facility and instituted in Michigan originally as Kairos at the Kinross Correctional Facility under the direction of the Warden of that facility and Chaplain Ray Moore, now retired. Currently there are 6 men’s facilities and two women’s facilities which sponsor a Keryx program. Several years ago when the national Kairos governing board made extensive changes to the program, the Michigan governing board voted to continue to follow the original manual and the name was changed from Kairos to Keryx in Michigan. The first Keryx weekend at Pugsley was in May of 2002 and in May of 2009 we completed our fifteenth weekend. A weekend at Pugsley involves 36 candidates (prisoners who are going through a weekend experience for the first time), approximately 28 inside team members (prisoners who have gone through a personal weekend) and 25 to 35 outside volunteers. The weekend requires much preparation and training time by the volunteers. The volunteer team was assembled for the upcoming September weekend by the end of June and the formal training of team members will begin on August 1 with an all-day training session followed by four additional evening meetings. The local Traverse Area Keryx group accepts donations from churches and

individuals which help to defray the expense of the weekends. Along with this local preparation, there are other persons from the local communities and from all over the world who uphold the weekend and participants through specific prayer. To participate in a weekend, a volunteer must have completed a weekend on the outside. The candidates for a weekend are chosen through a sponsorship program. Each candidate is paired with a prisoner sponsor who has completed a weekend and who will be an accountability partner after the weekend. Along with candidates, an inside team is chosen to assist the outside volunteers in running the weekend. Inside team members must have 75% attendance of their primary service and weekly groupings and cannot have any major ticket convictions in the months between the bi-annual weekends.

Written by: Chaplin Dave Bassett

GIVE BLOOD, GET

COOKIES

The Facility held their quarterly Blood Drive in July with a total of 30 Units of blood donated, including one first time donor. We encourage our community partners to join us in our efforts by donating blood or sponsoring a Blood Drive.

“Together we can make a difference”


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Acting Warden named at Pugsley

Acting Warden David Pratt

With the retirement of Warden Thomas Phillips; Pugsley Correctional Facility Deputy Warden David Pratt was named Acting Warden.

After hearing how some facilities were keeping their staff informed about their

involvement with MPRI, I spoke with MPRI Coordinator Follen concerning the concept and the Pugsley Connection was created. We decided that the Pugsley Connection would not merely be a way of communicating the changes involving the facility in regards to MPRI to our staff, but would be a way of keeping our staff, FOA staff and our community

partners aware of the happenings at Pugsley Correctional Facility. The amount of involvement this facility has with the community in a positive manner is something that all our staff can and should be proud of. ERT’s interaction with local law enforcement, the produce provided by the garden project to local food pantries, the projects completed and maintained by the Public Work Crews, charities supported and contributed to, Habitat for Humanity, to name a few. There is no lack of commitment by the facility to be the best neighbor and partner we can be. During the current times being encountered not only by or in our Department but the entire State, we have a monumental responsibility to the community to be the most productive facility we can be. Hopefully this newsletter will be a means of keeping not only our staff but those that we work with in the community abreast of the ever changing role corrections is playing within the community.

So often we only hear about the

parolees who fail. The Pugsley

Connection wants to share success

Stories of our parolees. Our

collaborative efforts together have

made a difference and every day we

know parolees are succeeding and we

are accomplishing the MPRI Mission.

We invite all staff and community

partners to share a parolee success

story.


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Balancing Our PrioritiesBalancing Our PrioritiesBalancing Our PrioritiesBalancing Our Priorities: : : :

Can We Safely Spend Less on Can We Safely Spend Less on Can We Safely Spend Less on Can We Safely Spend Less on

Corrections?Corrections?Corrections?Corrections? October 8, 2009

The Inn at St. John’s

44045 Five Mile Road

Plymouth, MI

Faced with an ever-deepening fiscal crisis, Michigan is searching for ways to reduce the $1.9 billion budget of the Department of Corrections. The decision of the Granholm administration to parole more people who have served their minimum terms has been criticized by some as a threat to public safety. Corrections employees and communities where prisons are located oppose facility closings. Legislators are sharply divided between those who want to reduce the prison population and those who want to privatize prison services. Community-based programs proven to reduce crime are starved for funds. Last year, the Prisons & Corrections Section and four other organizations sponsored a well-received, half-day symposium in Lansing that addressed these questions. The Section is now presenting an updated and expanded version at a location convenient for those in Southeast Michigan, the beautiful Inn at St. John’s. The symposium, which will run from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., is open to any member of the criminal justice community and should be of interest to defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, probation and parole staff, treatment personnel, community service providers and members of law enforcement. The morning portion of the program will focus on population reduction strategies, including those currently being employed, additional alternatives, risk assessment and rehabilitation, and the prosecutor’s perspective. The afternoon portion will address investing in prevention. Speakers will discuss the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative, mental health and substance abuse treatment, community corrections and creative jail programs, and removing barriers to reentry. A wide variety of viewpoints will

be represented and ample time will be reserved for questions. The Prisons and Corrections Section analyzes issues affecting prisons, jails and community-based corrections and engages in public education. It is also designed to be a forum for the cross-professional exchange of ideas, so membership is open to non-attorney criminal justice professionals. The conference program and registration form can be made available through the MPRI Community Coordinators!

We hope you will join us!

CCAALLLLIINNGG AALLLL

VVOOIICCEESS!!!!!!

If you would like write an article or share information, The Pugsley Connection Committee would love to hear from you. Please submit to: Cynthia Follen Pugsley Connection Editor

“One offender at a time”


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Pastor Tom Mammoser

Pastor Tom Mammoser will fill a vacancy on the Northeast MPRI Steering Team representing the Faith Based Community. Please welcome Pastor Mammoser and thank him for volunteering his time and service.

MPF Employee Club News One of the projects undertaken by the MPF Employee Club this year was to establish a scholarship fund to benefit students enrolled in the Public Safety class at the Career Tech Center in Traverse City. So far, we’ve had a LaSenorita gift certificate sale fundraiser and a couple of casual days for non-uniformed staff. For the 2008-2009 school year two $250 scholarships were awarded. In addition to fundraising efforts for this project by the Employee Club, a committee was developed to work with other public safety agencies in the five-county area to generate interest and monies for the scholarship. There seems to be an interest from these other agencies and a network of participants is being developed.

In other fundraising effort………………

The Employee Club has contributed $100 to the Pugsley Golf Scramble (which raises funds for scholarships awarded to a high school senior of a Pugsley Employee as well as from students from Kingsley, Manton and Fife Lake. $100 was contributed to a fundraiser by Bonnie Fritz (former employee) to raise money to send packages to those in the armed services.

$100 was donated to the Honor Guard Fund, which represents the Department at special events. A request for a donation to the Garden Project at MPF, which raises produce that is donated to area food banks, was approved for $300.

MPF Employee Club

Employee of the Month

The Employee of the Month for August is Mitzi Lewis, BET instructor. Selection as Employee of the Month entitles the winner to a Dinner and

a Movie package and parking in the Employee of the Month designated parking space. Mitzi was nominated by Denise Bearre. Some of Denise’s comments about Mitzi included, “She has helped develop prisoner Guidebooks and MPRI publications. She is involved in the MPRI committee. She is a positive role model and has helped staff and prisoners develop skills needed to obtain employment.” Other winners for this year include: January, Craig Derror, Psychologist; February, Tom Steele, Public Works Officer; March, Brandi Crisp, ARUS; April, Deb Ausdemore, ARUS; May, RUO Maue; June, Jeff Vogue, Maintenance; July, Steve Salladay, RUO

The first edition of the Pugsley Connection is dedicated to our staff and community partners.

Pugsley Connection Committee

Pugsley Connection Editor Cynthia Follen Asst. Editor: Mitzi Lewis Asst. Editor: Marlene Ford Committee Members Jeff Reynolds Denise Bearre Thomas DeNeve Deb Ausdemore Doug Walters Cynthia Patrick Maxwell Nickerson The Pugsley Connection will be issued 3 times a year: August, December & April

Documents

Pugsley Connection Keeping You Informed 9 15 09