REWARD AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY 2011

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

REWARD AND RECOGNITION CEREMONY

MAY 12, 2011

MONTPELIER, VERMONT

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You can watch the video of the whole ceremony here.

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Welcome Address

Lisa Menard, Deputy Commissioner

Commissioner's Address

Andrew Pallito, Vermont Department of Corrections

Secretary's Address

Douglas A. Racine, Vermont Agency of Human Services

View video of the welcome address here.

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Michael O’Malley Commemoration 

Michael O’Malley
August 2, 1982 – April 15, 2011
Rutland Probation and Parole
District Manager

Speakers:

Keith Tallon, Field Services Executive

Chris Dinnan, Community Corrections Program Supervisor

Presentation of Plaque dedicated to the family of Michael O’Malley

Andrew Pallito, Commissioner Vermont Department of Corrections

On behalf of the Vermont Department of Corrections we would like to express our deepest appreciation for your sacrifice of time with your husband and father, Michael O’Malley.

He was our colleague and our friend.  We thank you also for your support of Mike’s dedication and commitment to the profession of Corrections.

Your support made a difference.

Thank you so much.

View video of commemoration here.

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CORRECTION'S AWARD WINNERS

Supervisor of the Year

Phil Damone - Brattleboro Probation & Parole

Phil works with the Criminal Court to ensure that sentencing in Windham County follows best practices for public safety and rehabilitation and is recognizes the resource limitations of our Correctional system. He has the respect of defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges, who regard him as a colleague and a guide through the complexities of program eligibility. He is also a knowledgeable supervisor of line staff at Brattleboro P&P.
In 2010 Phil was asked to serve as interim District Manager for half the year. He did this in addition to his normal duties, and he earned recognition for excellence in this role. He is a level-headed professional who serves DOC and all Vermonters well.

Correctional Officer/CCO/CSTL/(s) of the Year

Fred Fleury & Michael Merchant CSTL's - Barre Probation & Parole

The staff at Barre Probation and Parole are proud to recognize you for your commitment to the mission of the Department of Corrections, your ability to work through adversity and still maintain a valuable program, your willingness to help out in all areas of the office and your positive team-oriented attitude.

Correctional Services Specialist(s) (CSS) of the Year

Susan Wells Probation Officer - Barre Probation & Parole

Susan is an excellent Probation Officer and has become an extremely important member of the Sex Offender Supervision team at Barre P&P. She is keenly aware of the need for public safety in managing the sex offender population, but manages to balance the immediate need for protection of the public with the long-term goal of rehabilitating the offender. She works well with victims, is regularly communicating with law enforcement and corrdinating services with local sex offender providers. She is an asset not just to this office, but to the community as a whole.
Susan has been an integral part of our sex offender supervision team. She has managed to balance the needs of the offender while at the same time maintaining community safety and adressing needs and concerns of victims. Her professionalism, dedication to the department's values and ability to work with other agencies makes her a shining example to others within our office and department. As her partner, I can not help but notice how our expanding team works so much smoother because of the extra effort Susan puts in.

Administrative Support Person of the Year

William Scott - Central Office

In every large organization there are a few individuals who become known as resources, as “go-to” people. Bill Scott is one of these gems.   As quarterly budget reviews approach, he gets provides assistance with complex questions involving the minute details of benefit costs, spread sheet creation and troubleshooting, cost projections and many other details of our financial functioning.
Whenever you call, no matter how busy he is, Bill will answer you in the same calm, friendly voice, will give you solid, expert information, and will treat you, for the duration of the call, as though you were his only priority. 

TEAM AWARD 

Burlington Probation and Parol - Sexual Offender Supervison Team

(DOC Selection for Governor’s Award)

Rebecca Collins, Walter Coble, Kris Goldstein, Michael Trombley, Chris Barrow, Maria Godleski, David Jaques

The Sex Offender Supervision Team at Burlington Probation/Parole is comprised of highly skilled individuals, each having expertise in the risk management supervision of sex offenders under various legal statuses. Although each member posesses strong individual strengths, they meet weekly, in order to maintain and fortify a team approach to supervision strategies while providing support for each other. Information sharing, problem solving, and consistent responses pertaining to accountablity strategies are a few of the by products obtained as a team. All members have come to know each other's case loads to some extent through this process which enhances coverage and overall supervision.
The supervision standards and other requirements by statue has increased significantly in recent years for convicted sex offenders, including changes in the sex offedner registry laws, changes in PreSentence Investigations, required assessements, and polygraph criteria. All have impacted this particular team. Additionally within the last quarter of this past year a statewide audit of all sex offender caseloads took place. Although this was not isolated to the Burlington P&P office, it's noted that this team took on whatever extra work, time and follow through was needed, in a diligent and positive manner while insuring their other duties did not fall short. This was carried out often in a team approach and is another example of the committemnt and dedication they bring to the work place, individually and as a strong functioning unit.

Preservation of Life Award 

The Preservation of Life Award will recognize any Department employee who takes spontaneous and immediate action in response to a life-threatening illness or injury to a staff member, offender/inmate, volunteer, contractor, or member of the public.

Todd Blanchard(CSS) & Rolla Thomas(CO2) - NSCF

On January 19, 2011, CSS Todd Blanchard responded to a fire at the Northeast State Correctional Facility. Upon arrival not only did he extinguish the fire, but he also stopped a staff member from using the wrong type of extinguisher and employed the correct one himself.
CO2 Rolla Thomas also responded to the fire.  After the gas repair man had been blown back and fell under the flame that was still shooting out of the gas line.  CO2 Rolla Thomas reached under the flame and dragged the man to safety preventing what could have been devastating injuries.

 

Roger Grenier(COI) & Tello Young(CFSS) - NSCF

On the evening of December 25^th an inmate at NSCF took another inmate hostage by placing a pen to his neck as a third inmate was in the cell. CO1 Roger Grenier negotiated with a hostage taker providing valuable time for CFSS Young to work as the incident commander setting up a perimeter, gathering intelligence via observation from outside posts and viewing through windows. CFSS Young also coordinated a tactical team to respond to the scene and once the team was in place he began communicating with the hostage taker.  The actions of these two officers led to the offender calmly surrendering the weapon, and himself, to the officers with no further harm to the hostages.

Howard Brooks(COII) - SSCF

On August 12^th, 2010, while working his post, COII Howard Brooks observed CSS Edward Holtrop choking. This was a serious, life threatening situation. COII took immediate action, calling for medical assistance and performed the Heimlich Maneuver. This dislodged the food particle and allowed CSS Holtrop to breath. This was an instantaneous reaction, putting training into action in an emergency situation without hesitation.

Matt Nault(CFSS) - CRCF

On July 10, 2010 during the dinner meal CFSS Matthew Nault was running shift at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility when he responded to an emergency call from the dining room officer. Upon arrival in the dining room CFSS Nault observed an offender struggling to breath and red in the face. CFSS Nault asked the inmate if he was choking and the inmate gave the sign that he was. CFSS Nault administered the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged the item from the inmate’s throat. CFSS Nault’s quick thinking, his ability to stay calm, and his training may have saved this inmate’s life.  

Amber Bedard(COI) - CRCF

On August 16, 2010, CO/I Amber Bedard was working in Charlie Unit at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility when she observed an inmate choking and unable to breath. The inmate was suffering from medical issues that prevented her from standing on her own. Officer Bedard lifted the inmate from the bed and holding her body up, administered the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged the object from the inmate’s throat.

View video of correctional award winners here

20 YEARS STATE SERVICE

John Driscoll, Johnathan Phillips, Nancy Specht, Fred Gorham, Phillip Fernandez, Keith Heald, Glenn Shaddock, Charlene Cook, Bob Arkley, Bradley Dunsmore, Carl Mallette Jr., Brian Reed, John Cross, Scott Stevens, Christopher Hebert, James Kamel, Catherine St. John

25 YEARS STATE SERVICE

Lisa Menard, Renee Robison, Glenn Boyde, David Lajoice, Ellen Sklar, Harold Newland, Trevor Maranville, Cassandra Torrey, Sandra Olberg, Stephen McCarthy, Daniel Davies, Scott DuBois, Tracy Honsinger, Evelyn Amaral, Madelyn Sinon, Daniel Kennelly, Michael Peterson, Suzanne Bedard, Robert Wood, Kristina Hetzel, Johnny White

30 YEARS STATE SERVICE

Steven Bushey, Roger Heywood, Jerome Doherty, Michael Erickson, Ellen McWard, Rae Hirst

35 YEARS STATE SERVICE

 

Sarah Systo, Robert Willson, Judy Pomainville, Helena Kessop, Sherri Rathbun

View video years of service here

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GOVERNOR SIGNS PROCLAMATION

He declares MAY 15 – 21, 2011 AS CORRECTIONS PROFESSIONAL WEEK

  

EXECUTIVE PROCLAMATION

CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEES WEEK

WHEREAS,

one of the primary goals for the State of Vermont is to provide its citizens with an effective criminal justice system that focuses on quality of life and safety for all our citizens; and

WHEREAS,

Vermont’s dedicated correctional employees are essential to our justice system; and

WHEREAS,

much is expected from the men and women who every day supervise offenders in correctional facilities and in the community and without whose daily hard work and sacrifices we could not operate; and

WHEREAS,

correctional employees are skilled professionals who must act as counselors, communicators, educators and experts at crisis interventions, and must protect our safety while maintaining their professional demeanor, often in a challenging environment, and

WHEREAS,

correctional employees must possess the intuitive sense to resolve conflict and support restorative activities while housing offenders in a humane environment or supervising offenders in the community, often to the risk of their own well-being, and

WHEREAS,

the State of Vermont is pleased to celebrate Correctional Employees Week and is urging all citizens to pay special tribute to these women and men who serve so faithfully.

NOW, THERFORE, I, Peter Shumlin, Governor of the State of Vermont,

do hereby declare,

May 15 – May 21, 2011, CORRECTIONALL EMPLOYEES WEEK in Vermont.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont this 12 day of May, A.D. 2011

Peter Shumlin, Governor

View video of Governor Peter Shumlin's address here.

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Watch the slide show of "Staff from Around the State" or the slide show of "Photo's from R&R 2011" here.

We Would Like to Extend Special Thanks to:

Penny Carpenter

The HRD Unit:

Heather Simons

William Cathcart

Ross Farnsworth

Pat McIntosh

Michaela Hammond

Mark Shelton

The Presentation Tables

PREA – Jen Sprafke

Education & Voc. Ed – Wilhelmina Picard, Dana Lesperance

Victim Services : “Place at the Table” - Amy Holloway

Culinary

Pastries: Southeast State – Brian Mitofsky / Daniel Torres (inmate)

3-D Cake & Cupcakes:  Southern State - Chris Cosgrove 

North Country Union High School Jazz Ensemble

Lisa Genco Saltsman - Director

And the Elks Club - Doreen Cary

If you would like to veiw more photo from this event: Click Here

If you would like to view the photo's from around the state that we showed at this event.  Click Here

"Thanks, Mark, for a great event!"

Just an update

April was both a wet and busy month at the Training Center.

We graduated 22 new correctional officers on 4/15/2011.  Please welcome them to corrections if you see one of them at your work-site.

Advance Communication Techniques Training for Trainers is currently running in classroom one.  There are twenty one of them; they are working hard and doing many role-plays.

I have posted the video from the 110th and 111th Vermont Correctional Academy on YouTube.com.  You may view them there or wait for me to post them here.

Here is a list of some of the events that will be running at the Training Center in May...

• Victim-Inclusive Casework Training on 05/2-5/2011 from 0830-1600
• Basic Intensive Domestic Abuse Program Facilitation 05/3-5/2011 from 0900-1600
• Sentence Computation/Legal Process on 05/5-6/2011 from 0900-1600
• Arrest Certification on 05/10/2011 from 0900-1600
• AHA Basic Life Saver Instructors Certification on 05/13/2011 from 0830-1630
• Testimony Training on 05/17/2011 from 0900-1600
• Sex Offender Risk Assessment Training on 05/20/2011 from 0900-1600
• The 112th Vermont Correctional Academy will start on 5/16/2011 and graduate on 06/17/2011 at 1100 in the Pavilion, Montpelier

For more information on these events go to the AHS Training Calendar.

As always, we like to here from you about your academy or training experience at the Vermont Department of Corrections' Training Center.

You can email your comments to me direct or post to the blog.

Be well.

A Look At Current Activities At The Training Center

If you have not visited the Training Center since we opened (almost two years ago) you might not recognize the place.

Let's start at the front door...
 

Front door to the Dale Building

If you are heading to Waterbury for a training at the Training Center, this is the door that you want to enter to get to your class.  This door puts you on the ground floor of the Dale building.

You know you're in the right place when you see this sign...

From here you need to go up two flights of stairs to get to the Training Center's classrooms or three to get to the Training Center's staff offices.

Door at the Base of the Fire Tower

 So here we are at the door to the second floor...



Second Floor Doorway



Let's step inside...

Hallway outside of Classroom One

This doorway leads to classroom one. It is our main classroom and currently it is being occupied by the 111th Vermont Correctional Academy.

Classroom One

We recently upgraded the tables and chairs and from this view you can see the front of the room.

On the other side of the hall next to the Honor Guard display, you will find classroom two and our small conference room

Honor Guard Display

Here we can see the front of classroom two, we also replaced the tables in this room too.

Classroom Two

Our small conference room is just about the right size if you're looking for a quiet space to have a meeting with three to five colleagues.  This space has also been used for interviews and as a break out room for training.

Small Conference room

There is also a small kitchen for staff to prepare a snack on break or their lunch.  There is a Refrigerator, coffee pot, and microwave available for your use.

Kitchenette

We also have computer access for staff that need to check their email while they are at training.

Computer Room

Let's go upstairs to the top floor.  This is where our administrative offices at the Training Center are located.  If you need someone at the Training Center, this is where to look.  There is also a staff sitting area where you can take a break from training, check out the news on TV, and for those staying overnight, a place to relax with friends.
 

Academy Sitting Area

We have been making an effort to make our space staff friendly and we have slowly been putting up our past academy photos.  We have posted all of the photo's we have and have spaces for the ones that we don't.  I believe we are only missing about eight pictures.  If you have a photo of your academy graduation picture and it is one we are missing, I would appreciate an opportunity to scan you photo so we can finish this project.



Main Hall on Third Floor



There is also some shared work space and tables that we use for training break outs, quick meetings and as place to assemble training material. 

Training Center Work Space

There are also two mock cells on the third floor that we use for cell extraction training, contraband and search, and for scenario training.

Mock Cell

The Cafe' space is used by the academy for evening meals, and by the parole board for out of state parole hearing.  This is also a back up training space and break out room.



Cafe'



If you need a change of scenery or a breath of fresh air, you can step out on to the porch during a break or in the summer when the weather is nice, you can even use this space for a meeting.



Third Floor Porch

Here is the view from the third floor porch looking at the south entrance to the state office complex.  The south entrance is the easies way to get to the training center.


View of the South Entrance



A short list of some of the events that will be running at the Training Center in April...

• Sexual Harassment Support Coordinator Training on 04/12/2011 from 0900-1600
• LSI-R Certification Workshop on 04/12/2011 from 0900-1600
• Level of Service Inventory - Revised on 04/13&04/14/2011 from 0900-1600
• Sentence Computation/Legal Process 04/20&04/21/2011 from 0900-1600
• Advance Communication Techniques Training for Trainers 04/25-04/29/2011 from 0830-1630
• Vermont Correctional Academy will be in weeks four and five. Graduation will be on 04/15/2011 at 1100 in the Pavilion, Montpelier

For more information on these events go to the AHS Training Calendar . 

As always we like to here from you about your academy or training experience at the Vermont Department of Corrections' Training Center.