Arizona Department of Corrections newsletter

              In This Issue...
Director’s Perspective ........................... 2
Rise to the Challenge ............................ 3
Telemedicine Update ............................ 6
Hogan’s Open........................................ 9
Training is the Key .............................. 10
Opportunities for COs ......................... 12
A Salute to the Department s Correctional Officers
Governor Hull officially proclaimed the first week of May as Correctional
Officers Week throughout Arizona. Correctional Officers Week, which is
also observed on a national level represents an opportunity to acknowledge
the efforts and professionalism of the men and women who proudly serve in
uniform. The officers, who are mentioned on pages four and five, represent
a sample of the finest officers statewide working for the Department.
TERRY L. STEWART - DIRECTOR MAY 1998
“Directions”
is an official publication of the
Arizona Department of Corrections
Terry L. Stewart, Director
Michael A. Arra,
Public Affairs Administrator
Camilla Strongin,
Public Information Officer
Virginia Strankman,
Publications Editor
Web site:
http://www.adc.state.az.us:81
DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
by Terry L. Stewart
Questions and comments
may be submitted to
“Directions” Editor,
Public Affairs Office,
1601 W. Jefferson
Mail Code 441,
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone 542-3133
Printed by
Arizona Correctional Industries
Arizona State Prison Complexes-Florence, Eyman and Winslow
have significant correctional officer vacancies. The Arizona State
Prison Complex-Lewis will begin taking inmates in October 1998.
To staff ASPC-Lewis and reduce these other vacancies, the Arizona
Department of Corrections is asking each employee to rise to the
challenge and participate in the agency-wide recruitment drive. Employees
are encouraged to refer friends, family members and neighbors to join our
work force. Employees with the highest number of recruits will receive
certain benefits: a plaque honoring your achievement to be presented at
September’s Administrators Meeting, lunch or other recognition to be
decided by your Warden or Assistant Director, one day of recognition
leave and a “Top Recruiter” parking space.
I recognize that the salary for corrections officers is in need of
improvement and I am working towards that end. The Legislature
considered an initiative to compensate corrections officers at ASPC-Florence
and ASPC-Eyman based upon the distance they traveled.
However, the initiative did not pass. I believe that the Legislature now
recognizes that compensation for corrections officers is a major factor in
recruitment and retention. I believe that we need a focused approach
during next legislative session to convince them of this fact.
I am therefore considering the alternatives such as hiring a consultant,
using employee focus groups and collaborative efforts with local employee
groups and professional associations to bring all resources to bear on this
critical agency problem. Nevertheless, we must pull together as a team
to recruit corrections officers until we can obtain a salary, travel assistance
and local housing that will help attract employees. Introduce a friend,
family member or neighbor to the ADC team.
2
Timber, who is an Arizona Department of Corrections Service
or Narcotic Dog, and his handler CO II Ed Bonkowski have a lot
to be proud of lately. Timber’s impressive drug-sniffing ability has
resulted in numerous successful drug confiscations of late.
One notable find occurred when Timber and Officer Bonkowski
helped the Department of Public Safety officers in the search of a
suspect’s vehicle involved in a car accident. During the search,
Timber alerted to the presence of marijuana on the suspect and his
vehicle. Because of the amount of drugs found on the individual,
DPS officers later received a search warrant to conduct a search of
the individual’s home. The search led to the discovery of a
methamphetamine lab, more than 600 pounds of marijuana, and
$39,000 from the sale of drugs.
Other busts scored by Timber lately include:
February 25 — Timber alerted to the presence of drugs found in an inmate’s cell during a prison search.
February 28 — Timber alerted to drugs found in the vehicles of three different visitors.
March 6 — Timber alerted on three different visitor’s vehicles resulting in the recovery of narcotics.
April 2 — Timber alerted to drugs found in a visitor’s vehicle.
April 4 — Timber alerted to dugs found in a visitor’s vehicle.
Timber, the canine variety of Corrections Officer, and his handler
CO II Ed Bonkowski
The Recruitment Unit for Selection and Hiring
(RUSH) is kicking off a month-long recruitment
drive beginning May 18, through June 19. The opening
of ASPC-Lewis and the Dakota Unit at ASPC-Yuma
this year offer unprecedented career opportunities at
these and other prison locations.
Help is needed to recruit as many people as
possible to fill Correctional Officer positions. Studies
show that most of the CO positions are filled through
employee referrals. By talking with your friends,
family members and neighbors about a career in the
field of corrections we can begin to fill the statewide vacancies.
Awards will be presented to top recruiters and the prison complex with the highest number of recruits. More details about the drive
and the awards will be available soon. There is a referral form located on the back of the newsletter.
Remember that everyone can make a difference in making Recruitment Drive 1998 a success!
Rise to the
Challenge.
Be a Recruiter!
Timber s Incredible Record
of Sniffing Out Trouble
3
IMPROVING HEALTH THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
TELEMEDICINE UPDATE
By Gerard Chamberlin, Health Educator I, Inmate Health Services
How can full service health care be provided to prison inmates in rural areas of the state? Telemedicine is proving to be the answer.
Last year, the Arizona Department of Corrections joined the Arizona Telemedicine Program. Inmate Health Services participated in
this endeavor to provide quality, cost-effective health care to inmates at ASPC-Yuma. Telemedicine is a means for health care services
to be provided to patients who are geographically separated from medical specialists and providers. Patient images are captured using
high-tech computer equipment and then transmitted to a physician at a hospital or other health care facility where treatment
recommendations are made.
Currently, telemedicine is up and running at ASPC-Yuma.
To date, more than 30 inmates have received medical referrals
using this technology, reducing costs associated with travel
and increasing the standard of health care by decreasing the
time it takes for an inmate in a rural area to obtain specialist
attention.
Telemedicine will also benefit ADC health staff since the
technology can be used to bring continuing education
programs on current issues in health and corrections to its
staff. Within the next two months, ADC should be able to
videoconference with eight other telemedicine sites
simultaneously. Currently, the University of Arizona Medical
School is developing a continuing education program that
ADC can access via telemedicine at ASPC-Yuma and Central
Office. This program will allow staff in rural areas to benefit
from educational opportunities that are taking place in urban
areas without having to leave their facilities.
ADC will continue to analyze the costs and benefits
associated with the telemedicine program. If the program
continues to prove effective, it may be brought to other ADC
facilities.
Jeff Headington, Radiology Technician, working with the Telemedicine equipment
at ASPC-Yuma.
Director Terry Stewart was recently awarded the
Rio Salado College President’s Award at the 1998
Commencement ceremony held at the El Zaribah
Auditorium in Phoenix. The Director was selected as the
recipient of the award for his significant community
leadership and for assuming a prominent role in
promoting higher education. Presenting the award to
Director Stewart was Rio Salado College President Dr.
Linda Thor.
4
An Inmate Program That Can Be Touched
By Correctional Officer III John A. Mohler
ASPC-Douglas has an inmate
program that is literally “touchy-feely.”
For almost eight years,
volunteer inmates at the Mohave Unit
have been transcribing children’s
books into Braille for the Foundation
for Blind Children in Phoenix.
There is only one
catch, for a Braille
transcription to be
submitted to the
Foundation it must
be produced by a
transcriber who has
been officially
certified by the
Library of Congress
in Washington,
D.C. This process
can be lengthy,
depending on the
i n d i v i d u a l .
Sometimes, it can
take up to 18 months, and many
correspondence lessons to produce a
transcriber who meets the exacting
standards of the Library. Once they
certify a student as a transcriber, he
can study for certification as a
proofreader, or continue with the
training and become a highly-prized
math transcriber.
Thus, the program benefits both
inmates by providing a learned skill,
and the blind by providing reading
material for children. Under the
tutelage of an inmate certified by the
Library of Congress, other Mohave
Unit inmate students are provided
instruction at different levels. When
inmates have successfully completed
their training course and are waiting
for their official certification, these
senior inmate students may act as
mentors to other inmates who are just
beginning the course.
Not all the inmates who sign up for
the course complete the 12 lessons
required by the Library. If an inmate
is certified as a transcriber, and then
transferred through the prison
classification process to the ASPC-Douglas
minimum-security, Gila Unit,
he may continue his transcribing
activities there. When an inmate is
released, he has received training in a
potentially highly-paid skill, though
many continue to donate their time
and talent to those who can read only
through their sense of touch.
While they are learning basic skills
and earning their certification in Braille
transcription, inmates volunteer
personal time besides their regular job
assignments. Once certified, they may
be hired and paid as “skilled clerks”
under the Department’s Work
Incentive Pay Program. With four or
five certified transcribers, up to 15
children’s books each year can be
forwarded to the Foundation for Blind
Children. Books such as the Hardy
Boy mysteries and educational texts
are examples of some of the books
transcribed by the inmates.
In addition to transcribing and
proofreading Braille, the Mohave Unit
offers a repair service for the Perkins
Braillers, the machine used in
transcribing Braille, which resemble a
portable typewriter. The Foundation
sends these Braillers to Douglas from
countries such as Canada and Central
America. Two
full-time inmate
m a c h i n e
t e c h n i c i a n s
struggle to keep up
with the steady
flow of machines
waiting for
service. While
M o h a v e ’ s
transcribing unit is
beginning to rely
more on the newer
Braille computer
software and
special Braille
printer, for now the lessons must be
banged out on the old Perkins
machines.
The Department does not charge
the foundation for the Braille
transcription or equipment repair
services but the inmates tell us they do
derive satisfaction from their role in
providing a ray of light for blind
children.
Inmate students practice transcribing text and
repairing a Perkins Brailler machine.
5
Correctional Of
The Pride of th
Correctional Officer II Dixie Johnson has been
assigned to the ASPC-Winslow/Kaibab Unit for more
than two years. Officer Johnson was initially assigned
to the graveyard shift for nine months, then transferred
to Kaibab Unit dayshift. While she was working on
dayshift, she had specific duties during the weekend
as the Floor Visitation Officer supervising inmates
and their visitors.
Last June, Officer Johnson was selected as the lead
visitation officer because of her professional
demeanor, and skills working with the public. Officer
Johnson has received various letters of appreciation
from the public indicating her positive approach
including the letter mentioned in the April Director’s Perspective. Officer Johnson is
currently attending Northland Pioneer College with plans to graduate this December
with an associate’s degree in corrections.
CO II Luis Aponte Jr., of the ASPC-Phoenix/
Alhambra/Flamenco Unit is the epitome of what a
Correctional Officer should be. No matter what Officer
Aponte is involved with then, when requested to take
on additional tasks, he never refuses.
Of his many responsibilities, Officer Aponte works
as the Complex’s armorer and Senior Fire Arms
Instructor. He is always being asked to participate in
public relations activities, not only because of his
expertise, but also because of his impeccable
appearance, his skills and abilities to accomplish
whatever is required, his extreme professionalism,
and his sincere dedication to his supervisors, the
complex and the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Correctional Officer II Annie Andrews
exemplifies the best of correctional officers, by her
dedication to the job, her unselfish willingness in
accomplishing Departmental goals, and her
motivation toward long-term career planning.
Throughout her nine-year career with ADC, she
has worked on many assignments in which she has
excelled. Officer Andrews believes that diversity is
the best way to learn about the Department, and the
positions she has worked have included Mail and
Property Officer, Visitation Officer, Hospital
Security Officer, Unit Security Officer, Unit
Maintenance Security Officer, Unit Tool Control
Officer, and Unit Fire/Safety Officer. Her current assignment is at the Santa Rita Unit.
Correc
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Recently, Officer McKenney transferred
Officer. She was selected to fill the newl
Officer. To prepare for this position, Off
throughout the state. She researched pol
positions. She developed the “Complex Ac
This officer seems to have a never-ending
She always goes the extra mile to attain the D
of what a team player should be. McKenney
Arizona Department of Corrections.
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This center section can be
viewed on page 13
6
fficers Who are
he Department
ctional Officer II Sandy McKenney began
ection career in 1996, at the first regional
academy held at ASPC-Yuma.
completing the academy, she was assigned
enne Unit, a 928 bed, level three unit. Her
cluded, but were not limited to, control room
dorm officer, and yard officer. After six
Officer McKenney was assigned to unit
services with expanded duties of mail/
clothing, and unit contraband control officer
onths. She was then assigned to day shift as
Control Officer. Her responsibilities at this
cluded ingress/egress to the unit,
.
d to complex security as a Communication
ly created post of complex Accountability
ficer McKenney visited different facilities
licy and spoke with other staff in similar
ccountability” Institution Order.
g drive for perfection and attention to detail.
Department’s goals and is a shining example
y is certainly an asset to our complex and the
g all the great staff of ASPC-Douglas,
onal Officer Edna Beltran was selected as
the finest officers. She has shown her
ment to ADC often throughout her more than
s with the Department. She has always taken
al projects and assignments with a positive
Recently, as the Mohave accountability
he has been tasked with an inordinate amount
ment to facilitate two critical staff safety
double bunking to eliminate the unsafe
wding beds, and the cubicle wall reduction to
staff visibility and oversight. Moving as
100 inmates in any given day has been
daily duties. These tasks are time consuming
eltran performed them competently and
nding correctional professionals.
Cell Block Six takes great pleasure in recognizing
Correctional Officer II William Langan as an
exemplary employee. Officer Langan is a self-motivated
individual who shows exceptional decision-making
skills despite the circumstances. He is
extremely reliable and prompt and does not hesitate
to volunteer for extra duties to meet the needs of his
unit.
Officer Langan has become a Certified Instructor
for several in-service courses, and was a significant
reason the training at Cell Block Six was completed
before established deadlines during the last training
year. Officer Langan is also a Certified Weapons
Instructor and active member of the Florence Complex Tactical Support Unit Team. He
is a conscientious employee who always considers the unit first, and has even
volunteered to give up his days off for the benefit of the unit.
Officer Langan is a true professional. He is always tactful and respectful in his
dealings with others, whatever their position. We rarely have the opportunity to work
with an employee of Officer langan’s caliber, and the Department would be hard-pressed
to find a more deserving employee to recognize for their exemplary
professionalism and commitment.
Officer James Wolfe started his career with the
Department of Corrections in 1989. He has been
assigned to the Lumley Unit ASPC-Perryville since
graduating from the Correctional Officers Training
Academy.
His current duty assignment posts him as an
unarmed escort to the Arizona Department of
Transportation Contract Crew. He is a very mature,
dependable officer, who never misses any work and
is always willing to stay past his regular scheduled
hours to ensure completion of an assignment.
He is a member of the Tactical Support Unit for
Perryville and attends all drills and responds to “call-out”
quickly and safely. In addition to his correctional duties, he is a former member of
Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Mounted Posse.
Officer Wolfe is self-motivated and makes sound security judgements. He provides
excellent security enhancement recommendations. He manages the inmate population
in a fair and consistent manner. He exemplifies a correctional professional and it is a
privilege to have Officer Wolfe on our security team.
Continued on page 8
7
Correctional Officers continued from p. 5
Correctional Officer II Victoria Martinez is always
professional and courteous to any individual who has
the privilege to come in contact with her. She is a very
dedicated and dependable employee. She takes the
initiative to complete tasks required of the complex
operations staff without being directed.
Victoria also manages to hold a second job to
supplement her income to put a child through college
and raise an infant. This has never, in any way, affected
her job performance or professionalism. She is always
very well groomed upon her arrival to her assigned
post. Her attendance is excellent.
Officer Martinez is the ETS operator for the urinalysis test at Eyman Complex. A few
months back she detected a malfunction of the machine, With her persistence in dealing
with the company in a very professional manner, she managed to save the Department
$11,719.00 in the company providing 24 additional reagent kits at no cost to the
Department, I believe Officer Martinez deserves recognition for her outstanding job
performance.
Correctional Officer II Damian Bertoldo began
working for the Department in 1996, after being
recommended by now Deputy Warden Scott Yates,
and seeing many of his friends succeed in Corrections.
He is currently assigned to the ASPC-S Graham Unit
day shift. Officer Bertoldo has worked a number of
assignments including SSU, Mail and Property,
Visitation, and is a proud member of TSU.
Officer Bertoldo says that the wages, benefits and
promotional opportunities are what attracted him to the
Department. He likes the people and enjoys coming to
work each day.
His supervisor Sgt. Killa says CO II Bertoldo is hard working, dependable, bright,
and honest. In other words, CO II Bertoldo is what every supervisor wishes an employee
was like.
Survey
Says
When a sample of 1,002
members of the general
public were asked to give a
one or two word description of a
correctional officer, these were the top
five responses, in order of most to least
frequent:
• 1. Tough
• 2. Brave
• 3. Underpaid
• 4. Dedicated
• 5. Strong
—Florida Corrections Web Site
Central Promotional Register
1998 Announcement Dates
Class Announcement Study Guides Written Exam Oral Board Start Date
Open Close
CO IV
(External) 6/22/98 7/03/98 7/23/98 8/12/98 8/24/98
Parole Officer I
(External) 7/20/98 7/29/98 N/A 9/02/98 9/22/98
Correctional
Sergeant 9/16/98 9/25/98 10/29/98 11/17/98 11/30/98
These dates are tentative and are therefore subject to change at anytime.
First ask yourself:
What is the worst that
can happen?
Then prepare to accept it.
Then proceed to improve
on the worst.
— Dale Carnegie,
author of “How to Win Friends
and influence People.”
8
On March 31, William (Bill) Lackey
graduated from the Central Arizona Regional
Law Officers Training Academy. Bill was
the Class leader, received the class physical
fitness and marksmanship awards and
finished second academically. During the
graduation ceremony, Bill was sworn in as
Certified Arizona Peace Officer.
Mr. Lackey has served with the
Department of Corrections for 17 years. He
was initially assigned as a Correctional
Officer at Ft. Grant and was, subsequently,
transferred to Tucson. At Tucson, Bill
worked at Complex Security and was a
member of the TSU. In April 1984, Bill
entered the investigative field and has served
as an Investigator Trainee, as an Intelligence Investigator and as the acting Investigations
Manager, Southern Region. For the past seven years Bill has been the Special
Investigations Supervisor with the Tucson Criminal Investigations Unit.
Hogan s Open Feeds the Homeless
Since its inception in 1989, the Hogan Easter Open has helped raise money for
countless numbers of homeless people. The invitation-only tournament is sponsored by
Prison Operations employee Carol Hogan, her husband Paul, and scores of family and
friends who volunteer each year to put on the neighborhood fund-raiser.
This year, the Easter Open raised enough to fund more than 9,000 St. Vincent De Paul
meals. From its early days as a backyard round of golf, the Easter Open has grown to
include participation from Carol’s entire central Phoenix neighborhood. The
unconventional Easter Open is played on nine holes encompassing 17 front yards
complete with flags, sand traps, water hazards and even an occasional pink flamingo. In
addition to the tournament, the Hogans provide a buffet, live entertainment, an Easter
egg hunt and auction. All proceeds go to the St. Vincent De Paul Society.
Correction
The item published in the April
Directions regarding a cut off in VA
medical benefits is not accurate. It
was based on a misleading message
placed on the Internet by a veteran in
Minnesota, who did not have his facts
straight. Although he subsequently
put a retraction on the Internet, it was
too late to stop the rumors that spread
like wildfire. Not being aware of the
retraction or other pertinent facts, the
item was placed in Directions in good
faith.
After contacting the Veterans
Administration (VA) in Washington
and in Phoenix, these are the facts:
1. The President has not signed
any legislation that threatens veterans
medical benefits. There is no such
legislation.
2. The VA is encouraging
veterans in Arizona to register with the
nearest VA hospital to develop a
statistical data base that accurately
reflects the number of veterans served
by the facilities. Since the VA hospitals
compete with civilian hospitals for
Federal funding for the care of veterans,
the number registered helps the VA
hospital in their effort to be funded
proportionate to the potential
population to be served.
3. If you choose to register with
the VA hospital, call (602) 277-5551,
extension 2755, and ask them to send
you a VA Form 1010.
Carol Hogan greets a visitor to the Easter Open
9
New Firearms
Training
Coordinator
L a s t
N o v e m b e r ,
Ron Jackson
was appointed
to the position
of Training
Officer and
Firearms Training Coordinator. Ron
comes to us with more than 11 years of
experience with Arizona Public Service,
12 years with the U.S. Air Force, and nine
years with the U.S. Navy.
His educational background includes
a B. S. from Southern Illinois University
and an M. A. from Webster University.
Some responsibilities of the Firearms
Training Coordinator are to oversee the
Firearms Training Program, to maintain
curriculum design, certify and re-certify
Senior Firearms Instructors, provide
facilitation during firearms instructor
classes, provide complete administration
of the program, answer firearms related
questions, audit Complex firearms records
for completeness, and coordinate training
programs for ADC Armorers.
Ron aspires to develop and present
valued training for all ADC employees.
New Mandatory
Training Classes
The 1998-99 training year will bring
six new training classes mandated by the
Director. They are:
Leadership: You Set the Standard
This two-hour course focuses on the
concept of supervisors “setting the
standard” for staff. Key topics include
role-modeling, mentoring, advising, and
correctly identifying and responding to
professional and ethical issues, such as
inappropriate, unlawful staff inmate
contact and sexual harassment.
Corrections: A Day in Our Lives
This Two-hour course uses interactive
activities and a dramatic video to present
Training is the Key
ideas regarding a standard of professional
and ethical behavior expected of ADC
employees.
Communicable Disease VI:
This one hour course is required for all
employees. It is a review of the diseases
an individual could come in contact within
a correctional environment and how to
prevent spreading them.
Threat Assessment: Personal
Protection Inside the Prison
This 2 hour course focuses on mental
awareness as it relates to fundamental
correctional practices. Participants are
encouraged to acknowledge that personal
safety is an individual responsibility and
to learn to assess potential danger.
Supervising the Corrections
Professional
This three-hour course focuses on three
key topics: team leadership,
communication, and PACE. It gives
supervisors a chance to learn new skills
and practice them in a safe environment
with their peers.
Correctional Employee Safety
This course is a two-hour continuation
of the one-hour safety modules presented
during the 97-98 Training Year. Four
modules are available: Maintaining a Safe
Environment, Workplace Body
Mechanics, Personal Protective
Equipment, and Hazardous
Communication.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to  Sgt. John
Sinz  of  ASPC-Winslow  for
thinking of the name  Training
is the   Key  for our newsletter
insert. Thanks to all those who
sent in suggestions. We had a
difficult  time  choosing  the
name.
Training:
Making the
difference
By Cleve Blouch,
Training Bureau Administrator
With the start of a new training
year,  Staff  Development  and
Training  finds  itself  busy  on  all
fronts. With new training positions
at  ASPC-Phoenix/Globe  and
Community  Corrections,  and
tremendous  turnover  in  other
quarters, the challenges facing the
Bureau are not unlike those facing
the Department at large.
Our goal this year is to take full
advantage of current technology in
making  us  more  efficient  in
providing training services to each
employee in the Department. We
are exploring training technologies
such  as  computer-based  training,
web-based training, distance learning
and self-paced training as vehicles by
which we can  do more with less.
As ASPC-Lewis comes on line and
those  unique  training  challenges
become  paramount,  we  must
develop better ways to deliver needed
training  to  all  levels  of  the
Department. In addition, we must
continue  to  emphasize  good
correctional  practices,  individual
responsibility and accountability and
the  vital  role  of  supervision  and
leadership in all training. We should
look forward to the new training
year with enthusiasm and diligently
strive to do better. Training really
can make a difference!
10
What is an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN)? Who is the
OHN for my specific job location? Why do we need this medical
professional? These are some of the questions employees may
ask when they first hear about Occupational Health Nurses.
Since May is OHN Month, it is probably a good time to learn a
little more about these nurses and their role in the agency.
The OHN at your facility has
a variety of challenging
responsibilities, but their main
priority is ensuring that
employees stay healthy in their
work environment. Some of their
duties include providing
Tuberculosis evaluations
annually, offering employees
Hepatitis B vaccines, assessing,
monitoring and counseling staff
after bodily fluid exposures,
monitoring employees after
unprotected TB exposures,
working with employees who
need temporary work assignments, and tracking employees on
modified duty.
Another important aspect of their job is evaluating all
employee’s Reports of Injury. Cooperation of all ADC employees
is needed to ensure the Department is in compliance with
Department Order #519 (Employee Health, Assessment,
Accommodation, Alternate
Assignment) and with the Arizona
Department of Administration’s
Risk Management requirements.
Beginning in 1999, ADOA-RM
will be imposing deductibles
up to $10,000 per case for those
injuries not reported to them
within ten days. Everyone should
work together to ensure that all
procedures are followed within
the allowed time frames. Contact
your OHN immediately if you
become injured on the job. A toll
free number will be available soon
for reporting injuries.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES MONTH
by Judy Gallob, Administrator, Occupational Health Unit
The dictionary defines hepatitis as “inflammation of the
liver”. Even though there are different types of hepatitis--B, C &
A--the symptoms are the same for them all: fatigue, fever,
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, weight loss, loss of appetite
and/or nausea. Blood tests are available to determine the type of’
hepatitis a person has contracted; which is the first step towards
prevention. Each specific type is passed on in a specific manner
(mode of transmission). By educating the infected person in
these modes of transmission allows for prevention, and
PREVENTION is always the first line of defense!
HEPATITIS B -- this form of hepatitis is transmitted mainly
in blood, but also can be contracted through sexual intercourse,
specific bodily fluids, and any bodily fluid visibly contaminated
with blood. Tears and saliva are not usually identified as fluids
that transmit Hepatitis B; unless visibly contaminated with
blood, as in a dental setting. By law, all employees who have the
potential of exposure to blood in their workplace are offered the
Hepatitis B vaccine. In the workplace, you must utilize Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) to include gloves, masks and eye
protection when there is any possibility of contact with blood or
other bodily fluids. Remember: you cannot contract the disease
unless the germs enter your body through cuts, chapped skin,
                IS NATIONAL HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH
by Judy Gallob, Administrator, Occupational Health Unit
punctures, eyes, nose and/or mouth. You may be under the
impression that if you receive the Hepatitis B vaccine you will no
longer be able to donate blood. That is not true. On the other
hand, if you have been identified as a carrier of Hepatitis B, you
will not be allowed to donate blood.
HEPATITIS C - transmission of this type of hepatitis is
through sexual intercourse, transfusions, intranasal cocaine use
and/or IV drug use. The test used for Hepatitis C determines the
presence of antibodies, but it does not indicate the degree or even
if the person is infective. You cannot donate blood if you test
positive for Hepatitis C antibodies.
HEPATITIS A - Hepatitis A is passed through eating raw or
undercooked shellfish and through feces. Maricopa County has
seen an increase in the number of cases of Hepatitis A over the
past 2 years. In 1997, 1,477 cases were reported compared with
1,229 in 1996; to date in 1998 there have been 409 cases reported.
A Hepatitis A vaccine is available, but the best prevention is
avoid eating raw/undercooked fish, and washing your hands
before you eat and after going to the bathroom.
You can obtain more information through the Hepatitis
Foundation International by calling 1- 800-891-0707 or through
their web site at www.HepFl.org.
(top row from left): Dominga Ramirez, Greg Young, Bill Tillman,
John Coleman. (bottom row): Renee Whitington, Judy Gallob, Rebecca
Janega, Barb Falk, Josie McAfee.
11
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS
Contact the following Recruiting Offices concerning Correctional Officer positions:
Recruitment Unit for Selection and Hiring (RUSH), 363 N. 1st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003
 (602)255-4170 or 1-800-571-RUSH
OR
Satellite Recruitment Centers (SRC s) located at:
Arizona State Prison Complex - Douglas, Lt. Robert Langham, (520) 364-7521 Ext. 7718
Arizona State Prison Complex - Eyman, Lt. Vincent Neil, 1-800-547-2283
Arizona State Prison Complex - Florence, Lt. Maria Drake, (520) 868-8250
Arizona State Prison Complex - Safford, Lt. Jim Rothlisberger, (520) 428-4698 Ext. 3010
Arizona State Prison Complex - Tucson, Lt. Lupe Hackenbracht, (520) 628-6786
Arizona State Prison Complex - Winslow, Lt. Steve Hadden, (520) 289-9551 Ext. 5552
Arizona State Prison Complex - Yuma, Lt. Dennis Rose, (520) 627-8871 Ext. 3174
At other institutions, contact the Personnel Office.
CORRECTIONAL OFFICER BENEFITS
Ö  Entry Salary = $20,604
Ö  Salary after academy graduation = $21,639
Ö  Salary after 18 months = $23,288
Ö  2.5% Incentive Pay for Florence, Eyman and Winslow
Ö  Uniform Allowance = $60 per month
Ö  Hazardous Duty Pay at select units = $60 per month
Ö  Free Vanpool from Pima and Maricopa Counties to Florence/Eyman
Ö  12 Paid Vacation Days per year
Ö  10 Paid Holidays per year
Ö  12 Paid Sick Leave Days per year
Ö  25 Year Retirement Program
Ö  Medical and Dental Insurance Plan
Ö  Life/Disability Insurance Plan
Ö  Deferred Compensation Plan
Ö  Credit Union Membership
Ö  Tuition Reimbursement Program
Ö  18 college credit hours upon academy graduation
Ö  Continuing training and development programs
Ö  Promotional opportunities
Ö  Immediate Hiring
SELECTION PROCESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
¨  Written Application ¨  High School Diploma or GED
¨  Written Examination ¨  21 Years of Age
¨  Oral Interview ¨  No Felony Conviction
¨  Background Check ¨  Valid AZ Driver License
¨  Medical/Physical Exam ¨  Proof of Legal Residency
¨  Psychological Exam
¨  7-Week Academy
REFERRAL
Name: _____________________________________ Phone #: _____________________________________
Recruited By: _____________________________ Last 4 Digits of SS#: _________________________
Institution:________________________________ Phone #: _____________________________________
*Recruiter: Give Completed Referral Sheets to your Personnel Liaison*
12
Correctional Officer II Sandy McKenney began
her correction career in 1996, at the first regional
training academy held at ASPC-Yuma.
After completing the academy, she was assigned
to Cheyenne Unit, a 928 bed, level three unit. Her
duties included, but were not limited to, control room
officer, dorm officer, and yard officer. After six
months, Officer McKenney was assigned to unit
support services with expanded duties of mail/
property, clothing, and unit contraband control officer
for ten months. She was then assigned to day shift as
the Main Control Officer. Her responsibilities at this
post included ingress/egress to the unit,
communications, key and weapons control.
Recently, Officer McKenney transferred to complex security as a Communication
Officer. She was selected to fill the newly created post of complex Accountability
Officer. To prepare for this position, Officer McKenney visited different facilities
throughout the state. She researched policy and spoke with other staff in similar
positions. She developed the “Complex Accountability” Institution Order.
This officer seems to have a never-ending drive for perfection and attention to detail.
She always goes the extra mile to attain the Department’s goals and is a shining example
of what a team player should be. McKenney is certainly an asset to our complex and the
Arizona Department of Corrections.
Among all the great staff of ASPC-Douglas,
Correctional Officer Edna Beltran was selected as
one of the finest officers. She has shown her
commitment to ADC often throughout her more than
five years with the Department. She has always taken
on special projects and assignments with a positive
attitude. Recently, as the Mohave accountability
officer, she has been tasked with an inordinate amount
of movement to facilitate two critical staff safety
issues: double bunking to eliminate the unsafe
overcrowding beds, and the cubicle wall reduction to
improve staff visibility and oversight. Moving as
many as 100 inmates in any given day has been
necessary. This is besides all of her normal daily duties. These tasks are time consuming
and detail oriented, however, Officer Beltran performed them competently and
professionally. She is one of many outstanding correctional professionals.