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Vol. 8 No. 1 Utah Department of Corrections January 9, 2006
Inmate Placement Program
SERVICE IN THE COUNTIES
INSIDE
County News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
The Informer
Inmate Placement Program
Scott V. Carver, Executive Director
Belle Brough, Director of
Institutional Operations
Haze Locke, Director-Inmate Placement Program
Annie Hobbs, Mindy Williams – Editors
BOX ELDER COUNTY
Box Elder added a new substance abuse program in August of 2005. It is called Power Over Addiction and is provided for the female population. There are currently eight offenders participating in this program.
The instructor provided this information: Power Over Addiction is a faith-based pilot program. It offers inmates knowledge and freedom from drug addiction. Power Over Addiction is a workbook written by MaMa (Mothers Against Methamphetamine). Their mission statement is as follows:
“Our mission is to glorify God through competent and compassionate drug education and rehabilitation resources that reflect the mercy of Jesus Christ for the addict, his family, and the community.”
Workbooks are provided free of charge to prison inmates by MaMa (Mothers Against Methamphetamine). Books can be requested by writing to:
MaMa
P. O. Box 8
Arab, AL 35016
CACHE COUNTY
Fall Commencement 2005
On October 7, 2005, Cache County Adult High School held its first commencement ceremony at the Cache County Jail. John Hewlett, Donald Matzke and Patrick O’Neil, all inmates housed in the Cache County Jail for the Utah State Prison, were present to receive their diplomas from Cache County School Board President, Allyson Saunders. Joeseph Blair and William Horton also graduated, but have since moved to other facilities. Jail Commander, Captain Kim Cheshire was the keynote speaker, while Superintendent, Dr. Steve Norton provided insight for the new graduates.
Cache County Adult High School started a branch at the Cache County Jail in February of 2005. The classroom can accommodate 7 students, and the jail holds two classes each day. The classes are all done using the A+ computer program. Once the student’s transcripts are received, and their needs assessed, they are given assignments on the computer. The assignment consists of a lengthy study, after which a practice test is taken. If the student passes the practice test, he is then given a mastery test to complete the
quarter credit. The average student takes 30 hours to complete each course. Students may also attend GED classes. The GED test is administered four times a year at this facility. The Cache County Jail awarded 9 GED certificates last fiscal year, and three so far this year.
A study conducted by the Urban Institute shows a close connection between recidivism rates and the provision of suitable educational services for those incarcerated and those leaving the correctional system. This is the goal of the education programs at the Cache County Jail. “By providing a means for inmates to receive a high school diploma or a GED, we hope to provide these people with the tools needed to change their lives for the better,” said Deputy Holly Dixon, Programs Coordinator. Graduate Donald Matzke agrees, stating, “Earning this diploma has made me a better person. It has given me a boost mentally. Receiving my diploma shows that I am willing to change and take the steps needed to stay out of jail.” All three graduates have expressed a desire to go to college when they are released.
DUCHESNE COUNTY
A group of state and county inmates at Duchesne County Jail donated 104 blankets, 60 hats, and several pairs of mittens they had crocheted to the Immunocompromised Unit (ICS) at Primary Children’s Hospital. This unit or ward is reserved for kids awaiting transplants or battling diseases that weaken their bodies’ ability to fight off disease. The inmates also donated wooden wall hangings with hand-painted artwork, a rocking horse, several bookshelves, children’s desks and a bench for its waiting area.
(Picture by Uintah Basin Standard)
Inmate Brent Powell, Robert Milner and Dennis Bingham
Inmates gave donated items from the sign shop at Christmas time in the past. The projects are all built during the inmate’s spare time with scrap materials. These are usually given to programs like Sub for Santa or Toys for Tots for donations to anonymous kids. This years project was a little different.
In October, Mona Dean McGinnis found out that her granddaughter, Anastacia, who was 8 months old at the time, had leukemia. Ms. McGinnis works for the sheriff’s office and teaches Life Skills in the jail. She learned that the ICS ward is sometimes overlooked when donations are made to the hospital.
Ms. McGinnis received approval from Sheriff Merv Gustin and Jail Commander Lt. Todd Johnson to recruit inmates to make blankets and other items for the ward and solicited donated yarn for the project. The response from the community was overwhelming to include Wal-Mart contributing $100 for the cause. Ms. McGinnis was moved by the inmate’s reaction to the project, she never told the men about Anastacia’s illness.
(Picture by Uintah Basin Standard)
Anastacia Bell McGinnis wearing one of the donated hats.
One inmate bought all his own yarn for the project and inmates were teaching other inmates how to crochet. Not only did this project lift the spirit of the children in the ICS ward it also had a positive effect on the atmosphere in the jails housing units.
WASATCH COUNTY
The inmates at the Wasatch County Jail have been busy crocheting items to be displayed at the Wasatch County Fair. The following individuals participated this year; Ferosa Bluff, Rebbeca Findlay, Alyssa Melo, Kristie Taufer.
The Wasatch County Jail has participated in the County Fair for over 5 years. The citizens of the county look forward to the jail exhibits every year. Some of the items entered include Harley Davidson, Noah’s Ark, Goofy, Bugs Bunny Blankets, Disney stuffed animals i.e. Eyore, Piglet, Winnie the Pooh and numerous other items.
Thanks to all the inmates that participated and we look forward to more entries next year.
Community service continues to be a high priority at the Wasatch County Jail. The inmates are involved in several projects and programs that benefit the residents of Wasatch County and the many visitors that come to the county. These programs and work projects are done on a volunteer basis and inmates are very willing to participate in them. Jail staff
supervise these programs, which include Sub-for-Santa, county clean up, grounds keeping for the County Parks and Recreation Department, snow removal and yard work around the County Justice Building. Inmates provide the cleaning and yard maintenance at the new City/County Library and Senior Center.
One of the highlights of the jail are the beautiful gingerbread houses that the inmates design and build in the jail kitchen to benefit the Wasatch/Summit Children’s Justice Center. Year after year these houses receive top honors and sell high at the auction to support the young victims of abuse in the area.
School programs continue to be a success at the jail. Several inmates each year obtain their G.E.D. or graduate from high school. By receiving these, many doors, which were closed to inmates, are now opened when they re-enter the community. This not only benefits them but their families as well.
We plan on continuing these programs and projects in the coming years as well as others when the opportunities arise.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Monday, December 12, 2005, ten female inmates at the Purgatory Correctional Facility started a new job, sorting and packaging acrylic nail files.
A two-way agreement was signed between the Utah Correctional Industries and DHS Products, Inc. of Cedar City. Purgatory Correctional Facility will provide the site and security for the inmate work program. This agreement will expire in two years.
DHS Products, Inc. supplies sheets of nail files. The files are punched out, stacked with quality control checks and then packaged into boxes of 1,500 nail files per box.
The inmates are paid by the piece and will receive $1 for a completed box of files. The inmates were anxious to have a work crew job come into the facility to give them an opportunity to gain the knowledge and experience they could use upon release.
DHS Products, Inc. must meet certain criteria to provide inmate jobs, such as not interfering with the private job market and taking care of all the tax withholdings and worker’s compensation programs. The company pays $5 per processed box. That money is split between the inmate pay, victim’s restitution program and UCI.
According to the agreement, UCI reimburses Purgatory $16.84 per hour for a deputy to watch over the program. The shifts for the inmates are two four-hour shifts, five days a week.
Washington County Sheriff Restructures Office
On December 2, 2005, a ceremony at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office took place to begin the Sheriff’s Office restructuring. As part of a new restructuring program by Sheriff Smith, the Corrections Division will be under the direction of Corrections Chief Deputy Mary Reep. Three new lieutenant promotions in the Washington County Corrections Division were made at the ceremony. Bob Cannon, Perry Lambert and James Standley were promoted to rank of lieutenant. In addition to the promotion of lieutenants, Sheriff Smith promoted 12 corporals to the rank of sergeant at a ceremony on December 4, 2005, at the Washington County Commission Chamber. This restructuring eliminates the correctional rank of corporal and replaces the post with a sergeant.
Sheriff Smith stated that the reorganization had been in the works for some time. The Sheriff stated that the needs involving the reorganization were due to the county’s growth, the growth of the Office and the effort to streamline the Sheriff’s Office making it more accountable. The reorganization included the Law Enforcement Division as well. Jake Adams and Dan Endler were promoted to the rank of lieutenant for the Enforcement Division.
Assignments and promotions to Chief Deputy, Lieutenant and Sergeant are not the end of the restructuring taking place at Washington County; the pay structure is being reorganized effective January 2006 as well. The current pay scale took 14 years to get to the top of the scale. Sheriff Smith has implemented a program that, if a staff member works hard enough they can reach the top within 6 years. Sheriff Smith has been working diligently to maintain the staff already in place. Additionally, the Sheriff wants the ability to obtain top recruits for future hires at
Washington County. Sheriff Smith is very proud and supportive of his staff; he values and appreciates each and every one of them.
Competitive wages are a top priority to Sheriff Smith, as is keeping the trained staff already working at Washington County. Many Sheriff’s Offices throughout the state as well as the Utah Department of Corrections are struggling to maintain their workforce; many administrators report that competitive wages and benefits are a main issue in the loss of valuable and highly trained staff. Sheriff Smith is undertaking positive action in the interests of the community, the staff, and the future of Washington County.
WEBER COUNTY
Chief Cook and the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center (NUCCC) Director Ercanbrack are currently working together to negotiate a contract for inmates at Weber County Jail to provide laundry services for the NUCCC Facility. This would provide additional inmate employment and provide more cost effective laundry service for the NUCCC Facility than they are currently now providing for themselves. Successful negotiation of this project will be an excellent example of an inter-agency cooperative effort resulting in a win-win situation. Thanks for your efforts in making this happen Chief Cook!