Post by Weekly Views on Apr 6, 2009 13:49:27 GMT -5
Friday, April 3, 2009
Miami Correctional Facility has been nominated for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by one
of its employees serving in the National Guard Reserve. The award is the U.S. Government’s highest recognition given to
American employers for their exceptional support of National Guard or Reserve members.
Plainfield Re-Entry Educational Facility recently assisted the chartered Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School with a
painting project. The crew of 16 residents painted of classrooms, bathrooms, a gymnasium, hallways, other areas.
The Indiana Women’s Prison participated in the “Paint the Town Pink” event sponsored by the Indianapolis Affiliate of
the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 6 offender teams decorated bed sheets to bring breast cancer awareness to IWP.
New Castle Correctional staff recently met with the Mayor of New Castle and the Director for the Arts and Parks to
discuss using offenders from the facility’s L Dorm (minimum housing) for work crews and projects.
Henryville Correctional Facility recently initiated a local charter of the Toastmasters Club, and it is comprised of over 20
offenders who meet once a week. The name of the Henryville Toastmasters charter is called “Successfully Speaking.”
The staff at Madison Correctional Facility raised over $850, with offenders donating over $500, to help a local boy’s family
purchase an assistance dog that will alert others when the boy is about to have a life-threatening seizure.
150 people attended a general assembly at the Indiana State Prison. Staff who had perfect attendance for 2008 were
recognized, and quarterly awards were given. Also, Superintendent Levenhagen updated staff on DOC current events.
Correctional Industrial Facility hosted its third special “Chaplain’s Choice” seminar and workshop with the Rev. Willie
Jenkins. The program focused on practical life skills and Rev. Jenkins’ experience in prison ministry.
Today is graduation day for 51 graduates of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility PLUS Program. This marks the 3rd
graduating class (206 total) from the faith and character based housing unit.
New Castle Correctional Facility’s Community Advisory Board recently met for a luncheon, and 10 members attended.
Indiana State Prison Superintendent Mark Levenhagen participated in a round table discussion on criminal justice at
Valparaiso University this week.
Plainfield Re-Entry Educational Facility held a graduation ceremony for its third Manufacturing Readiness class taught
by Ivy Tech. The ceremony was held in the facility Chapel, and family and friends of the 9 graduates attended.
Companions on the Journey, a community-based re-entry program involving local businesses, conducted a silent auction
of Westville Correctional Facility offender art work. 150 people attended, and the 47 pieces brought in over $3,000.
30 wheelchairs were reconditioned in the Pendleton Correctional Facility’s “Wheels for the World” program during the
month of March, and the facility’s “Shifting Gears” program reconditioned 49 bicycles.
2 offenders from the Madison Correctional Facility each donated 10 inches of hair for “Locks of Love,” an organization
that makes and provides wigs for cancer patients.
Branchville’s ERO Team recently completed their annual physical fitness test. Over 20 Non-ERO staff also participated
as part of the INShape program and to show their support for the Emergency Teams.
Miami Correctional Facility’s PLUS Unit donated $2,000 to Howard County charities. The unit donated $1,000 to Kokomo
Urban Outreach, $500 to United Way of Howard County for its 211 Program, and $500 to the Kokomo Rescue Mission.
Indiana State Prison employees Chuck Whelan and Gus Carlson held a seminar for the parents of Knox schools students
on drugs and gangs. It was well attended by parents and community leaders, as well as the press and a local radio station.
Keep checking the Commissioner’s Blog for updates! This week, Commissioner Buss wrote about “Facing Challenges,”
and 2 RDC employees were recognized for their heroic acts. The Blog can be accessed on a state computer by going to
intranet.idoc.in.gov/comblog/default.aspx.
Weekly Views
Be informed about the Indiana Department of Correction
“The greater danger for most
of us is not that our aim is too
high and we miss it, but that it
is too low and we hit it.” ~
Michelangelo Buonarroti
From the Office of Edwin G. Buss, Commissioner
Miami Correctional Facility has been nominated for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by one
of its employees serving in the National Guard Reserve. The award is the U.S. Government’s highest recognition given to
American employers for their exceptional support of National Guard or Reserve members.
Plainfield Re-Entry Educational Facility recently assisted the chartered Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School with a
painting project. The crew of 16 residents painted of classrooms, bathrooms, a gymnasium, hallways, other areas.
The Indiana Women’s Prison participated in the “Paint the Town Pink” event sponsored by the Indianapolis Affiliate of
the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 6 offender teams decorated bed sheets to bring breast cancer awareness to IWP.
New Castle Correctional staff recently met with the Mayor of New Castle and the Director for the Arts and Parks to
discuss using offenders from the facility’s L Dorm (minimum housing) for work crews and projects.
Henryville Correctional Facility recently initiated a local charter of the Toastmasters Club, and it is comprised of over 20
offenders who meet once a week. The name of the Henryville Toastmasters charter is called “Successfully Speaking.”
The staff at Madison Correctional Facility raised over $850, with offenders donating over $500, to help a local boy’s family
purchase an assistance dog that will alert others when the boy is about to have a life-threatening seizure.
150 people attended a general assembly at the Indiana State Prison. Staff who had perfect attendance for 2008 were
recognized, and quarterly awards were given. Also, Superintendent Levenhagen updated staff on DOC current events.
Correctional Industrial Facility hosted its third special “Chaplain’s Choice” seminar and workshop with the Rev. Willie
Jenkins. The program focused on practical life skills and Rev. Jenkins’ experience in prison ministry.
Today is graduation day for 51 graduates of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility PLUS Program. This marks the 3rd
graduating class (206 total) from the faith and character based housing unit.
New Castle Correctional Facility’s Community Advisory Board recently met for a luncheon, and 10 members attended.
Indiana State Prison Superintendent Mark Levenhagen participated in a round table discussion on criminal justice at
Valparaiso University this week.
Plainfield Re-Entry Educational Facility held a graduation ceremony for its third Manufacturing Readiness class taught
by Ivy Tech. The ceremony was held in the facility Chapel, and family and friends of the 9 graduates attended.
Companions on the Journey, a community-based re-entry program involving local businesses, conducted a silent auction
of Westville Correctional Facility offender art work. 150 people attended, and the 47 pieces brought in over $3,000.
30 wheelchairs were reconditioned in the Pendleton Correctional Facility’s “Wheels for the World” program during the
month of March, and the facility’s “Shifting Gears” program reconditioned 49 bicycles.
2 offenders from the Madison Correctional Facility each donated 10 inches of hair for “Locks of Love,” an organization
that makes and provides wigs for cancer patients.
Branchville’s ERO Team recently completed their annual physical fitness test. Over 20 Non-ERO staff also participated
as part of the INShape program and to show their support for the Emergency Teams.
Miami Correctional Facility’s PLUS Unit donated $2,000 to Howard County charities. The unit donated $1,000 to Kokomo
Urban Outreach, $500 to United Way of Howard County for its 211 Program, and $500 to the Kokomo Rescue Mission.
Indiana State Prison employees Chuck Whelan and Gus Carlson held a seminar for the parents of Knox schools students
on drugs and gangs. It was well attended by parents and community leaders, as well as the press and a local radio station.
Keep checking the Commissioner’s Blog for updates! This week, Commissioner Buss wrote about “Facing Challenges,”
and 2 RDC employees were recognized for their heroic acts. The Blog can be accessed on a state computer by going to
intranet.idoc.in.gov/comblog/default.aspx.
Weekly Views
Be informed about the Indiana Department of Correction
“The greater danger for most
of us is not that our aim is too
high and we miss it, but that it
is too low and we hit it.” ~
Michelangelo Buonarroti
From the Office of Edwin G. Buss, Commissioner