A R I Z O N A D E PA R T M E N T O F C O R R E C T I O N S
Volume Director Charles L. Ryan 11, Issue 01
On Dec. 17,
the Arizona Depart-ment
of Corrections
honored the dedica-tion
and commitment
of its officers and staff
at a Department-wide
awards ceremony at
the Correctional Offi-cers
Training Acade-my
in Tucson.
The Employee
Recognition Awards
honor the character,
determination and
professionalism that
ADC staff share as
they performed a
Special Edition
Annual ADC Recognition Awards
valuable service to
the state.
The Employ-ee
of the Year award
was presented in
four categories, non-uniform,
Correction-al
Officer, Supervisor
and Administrator.
Co r r e c t i o n a l
Records Tech I Rhonda
Henry, ASPC-Lewis is
the department’s non-uniform
Employee of
the Year. Correctional
Officer of the Year is
CO II Robbin Cronin,
ASPC-Douglas. Lt.
Darryl Troutt, ASPC-Winslow
is the Super-visor
of the Year. The
Administrator of the
Year award goes to
Chief Procurement
Officer Denel Picker-ing,
Central Office.
Director Charles
L. Ryan present-ed
the Medal of Val-or,
the Department’s
highest honor, to CO
II James L. Vansco-ter,
ASPC-Lewis. The
Medal of Valor is given
for an act of heroism
that involves a con-spicuous
risk of life
and shall be of such
grave nature that per-formance
of the act
is clearly above and
beyond the call of
duty.
L i f e s a v i n g
Medals were present-ed
for actions, which
resulted in the sav-ing,
or preservation of
a human life in which
the rescued person
would have died with-out
the employee’s
direct action. CO II
Mark Ramirez, ASPC-Eyman;
CO II Christi-na
Renault and Capt.
Brain Wilson, ASPC-Lewis;
CRN Rowena
Geraldoy, CO II Jared
Davis and LPN Eliza-beth
Chavez, ASPC-Tucson
and Sgt. Ray
Morgan, Sgt. Shawn
Sanders, Sgt. Patricia
Landers, Sgt. Rus-sell
Simpson, Nurse
Rebecca Janega and
Lt. Lisa Oberle from
COTA received Life-saving
Medals.
Director Ryan
presented Merito-rious
Service Med-als
to employees
for performance of
their duty that great-ly
exceeded the nor-mal
demands of the
Department. Meri-torious
Service Med-als
were awarded to
Donna Marie Mark-ley,
Travis Coleman,
Kristine Harkins, Sam
Keomaka, Anthony
Zelenak, Nishith
Dave, Karen Pul-ley,
Charles Flana-gan
and Dr. Michael
Adu-Tutu, C e n t r a l
O f f i c e ; A n d r e w
T a f o y a , Fugitive
Apprehension Unit;
Cecillia Nerio, ASPC-Douglas;
Todd Mas-terson
and James
Montgomery, ASPC-Director
Charles L. Ryan provides the opening remarks for the 2010 Annual
Arizona Department of Corrections Employee Recognition Awards at COTA.
Employee Recognition Award Ceremony continued pg. 2
www.2 azcorrections.gov ADC
Directions
ADC Directions
is an official
publication of
the Arizona
Department of
Corrections.
Director
Charles L. Ryan
Media Relations
Director
Barrett Marson
Public
Information
Officer
Bill Lamoreaux
Media Web
Assistant
Jill Berger
Internal
Communications
Coordinator
Virginia
Strankman
Editor
Rusty Heaps
This publication
is to promote the
work of ADC and
the achievements
of its staff. Your
questions or
comments are
welcome.
Media Relations
1601 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ
85007
media@
azcorrections.gov
ADC Employee Recognition Awards continued from pg. 1
Eyman; John Coo-per,
ASPC-Lewis;
Gregory Denning,
ASPC-Perryville and
Shawana Hardesty
and Tamara Swer-line,
ASPC-Safford.
C o m m u n i t y
Service Awards were
presented to ADC
staff in recognition
of their selfless act
or courage and hero-ism
in support of the
community welfare.
These awards were
given to CO II David
Dennis, CO II Kris-tina
O’Toole and CO
II Tara Stark, ASPC-Eyman;
Sgt. Gary
Reed, ASPC-Lewis
and CO II Mark Baca,
ASPC-Winslow.
Special Rec-ognition
Awards, in
acknowledgement
of the recipient’s ex-traordinary
contribu-tion
and dedication to
the Department, were
presented to Marvin
Shatto, ASPC-Doug-las;
Barbara Shearer
and Robin Smithson,
ASPC-Eyman; Jer-emy
Smith, Manual
Romero and Ramon
Sanchez, ASPC-Florence;
Doreen
Heba, ASPC-Per-ryville;
Angie Adams,
ASPC-Safford; Grant
Squires, ASPC-Yuma;
Sumi Erno, Monica
Heiselman, Diann
Staymates, Leslie
Boothby, Karen In-gram
and Denel
Pickering, Central
Office and to the U.S.
Marshals Service.
Unit Citations
were presented to the
ASPC-Douglas K9
Unit; ASPC-Douglas
Wildland Fire Crew;
ASPC-Safford K9
Unit; Arizona Cor-rectional
Industries,
Fleet Management,
Central Office; HR
& Background In-vestigation
Unit; IT
Applications and
Data Management;
After the awards
ceremony, ADC
staff presented
Director Ryan a
plaque, which
reads: “With
deep respect and
gratitude, the
men and women
of the Arizona
Department
of Corrections
honor Director
Charles L.
Ryan for your
leadership. No
one has given or
done more for
Corrections in
Arizona. Thank
You”
ADC Employee Recognition Awards continued pg. 3
Staff Development
and Training Bureau;
Electronic Monitoring
Unit, Interstate Com-pact,
Sex Offender
Coordination Unit
and Warrants and
Hearings Unit, Com-munity
Corrections.
Several em-ployees
were pre-sented
their 30-year
Length of Service
pins, including Allen
Wiechmann, Carson
McWilliams, Kimber-ly
Daniel, Lacy Scott,
Linda Exley, Nelson
Morrow and Nolan
Morrow. Martin Hall
received his 35-year
service pin.
The U.S. Marshals Service received a Special Recognition Award for
their exceptional efforts in helping capture three escaped Arizona
www.azcorrections.gov ADC
Directions
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued from pg. 2
3
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued pg. 4
Correctional Officer
of the Year: Robbin
Cronin, ASPC-Douglas
CO II Cronin has been
a part of the ASPC-Douglas
family since
2006. Her attention
to detail and ability
to manage inmates
shines as both the
medical security officer
and kitchen security
officer. Officer Cronin is
a team player and has
a ‘can do’ attitude that
is contagious. Her job
knowledge, security and
observation skills, and
professionalism make
her a true asset.
Her interactions with
the public, staff and the
inmate population are
always professional and
of the highest standards.
She has a positive
demeanor with all she
encounters. She is well
liked by her peers, and
well respected among
the inmate population.
Officer Cronin is also a
member of the US Army,
serving in Operation
Iraqi Freedom for 13
months.
Non-Uniform
Employee of the Year:
Rhonda Henry, ASPC-Lewis
Rhonda Henry has
proven to be both de-pendable
and reliable
in her duties as a Cor-rectional
Records Tech
I. During the past year
Rhonda processed
nearly 2,200 releases
without a single error.
Since Jan. 2010 she has
been the only release
tech in the unit and pro-cessing
INS releases
for Winslow, Yuma and
Kingman in addition to
her job requirements
while at ASPC-Lewis.
Although she had ac-cepted
a position at
ASPC-Perryville, CRTI
Henry stayed at Lewis
due to the shortage of
staff. She stayed long
enough to help train her
replacement.
www.4 azcorrections.gov ADC
Directions
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued from pg. 3
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued pg. 5
Supervisor of the
Year: Darryl Troutt,
ASPC-Winslow
Lt. Troutt is currently
the Dayshift commander,
Operations Lieutenant,
and Swing Shift
Supervisor at the
Apache Unit. He always
performs these duties in
a professional manner
and he does so without
hesitation. He is always
willing to adjust his
schedule as needed.
He continually exceeds
expectations in the
performance of his duties
in all areas.
Lt. Troutt is often sought
out by his subordinates,
peers, and complex
administration for his
expertise. He always
presents ideas and
suggestions to improve
operations.
Administrator of the
Year: Denel Pickering,
Central Office
Denel has achieved
results well beyond
expectations on many
occasions this past
year. She renegotiated
63 contracts, resulting
in annualized savings of
around $800,000, assisted
in the renegotiations
of the Kingman private
prison contract for
annual savings of almost
$4million, secured several
contracts or agreements
for health care services
to inmates, assisted
in the renegotiations
and extensions of food
services contract,
oversaw the development
and implementation
of ADC’s piece of
ProcureAZ, a new
statewide government
procurement system
and renegotiated or
terminated private lease
space to consolidate
operations
All of these achievements
were in addition to the
daily job requirements
that she manages for ADC
procurement and 500
contracts.
www.azcorrections.gov ADC
5 Directions
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued from pg. 4
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued pg. 6
Medal of Valor: James L. Vanscoter, ASPC-Lewis
On Nov. 25, 2009 Officer Vanscoter initiated the Incident Command system in the Buckley
Unit kitchen. Inmates had turned off both sets of lights in the kitchen and 13 inmate kitchen
workers began to assault two other inmate workers. Two female canteen employees were
also in the kitchen at the time of the fight. Officer Vanscoter, with limited visibility, called
out to the inmates to stop fighting and utilized his chemical agents on the attacking inmates.
Those 13 inmates then moved away from the two inmates and moved towards officer Vanscoter.
They yelled at Vanscoter to get back into the kitchen control room, but he stood his ground to
protect the two inmates. The inmates approached him in a violent manner with broom and mop
handles, but Officer Vanscoter was able to secure one injured inmate by grabbing the inmate
and dragging him away from the fight into the loading dock area, where he secured the inmate
with one of the female Canteen employees. He then attempted to get the second inmate, but he
was encircled by the inmates and forced into the kitchen control room enclosure. The inmates
kicked the door closed and began to throw food trays, and mop buckets at him through the bars
to prevent him from coming out to secure the second victim. At this time, two staff from the
yard entered the kitchen and turned on the lights. They ordered the inmates to the ground,
ending the assaults.
Officer Vanscoter’s actions and heroism prevented serious injuries to staff and inmates. Officer
Vanscoter truly stepped up in the face of danger to protect those that needed it.
www.6 azcorrections.gov ADC
Directions
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued from pg. 5
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued pg. 7
Lifesaving Medal: CO II Jared Davis (Not
pictured - CRN Rowena Geraldoy, and LPN
Elizabeth Chavez), ASPC-Tucson
On June 4, 2010 an inmate suffered a seizure and was
unable to move. On the way to medical, CRN Geraldoy
stated that the inmate had stopped breathing. Once at
medical and a pulse had been found, CO II Davis and
Geraldoy began CPR. LPN Chavez also administered
CPR and provided necessary medical equipment. As
life saving measures were being performed, it was
noticed that the inmate had fresh track marks on his
right arm near the elbow. Narcan was administered by
CRN Geraldoy. The inmate was now in stable condition
and was transported to the hospital for observation.
The quick response and sharp observations during the
crisis enable these three employees to save the life of
the inmate.
Lifesaving Medal: From left to right....Lt.
Lisa Oberle, Sgt. Patricia Landers (Ret), Sgt.
Russell Simpson and Sgt. Shawn Sanders.
(Not Pictured - Sgt. Ray Morgan and Nurse
Rebecca Janega), COTA.
During the Fit Pro Testing Run at the Correctional
Officers Training Academy on April 1, 2009, an ADC
applicant fell down and lost consciousness. Sergeants
Pat Landers, Ray Morgan and Shawn Sanders ran to
his aid. Sgt. Landers activated ICS and Sgt. Morgan
and Sanders began CPR. Nurse Rebecca Janega,
Lieutenant Lisa Oberle and Sgt. Russell Simpson took
over the CPR. COTA staff then proceeded to clear an
area for emergency vehicles.
Lifesaving Medal: CO II Christina Renault
and Capt. Brian Wilson, ASPC-Lewis
On June 18, 2009 an inmate was discovered with self-inflicted
wounds to his head, neck and chest. CO II
Renault and Captain Wilson entered the cell. Both
applied pressure to the inmate’s wounds and kept the
inmate conscious and awake while waiting for the
emergency responders. Because of their quick action,
the inmate was able to recover from these injuries.
The inmate lost 3 pints of blood, but it surely would
have been worse if not for the prompt actions of CO II
Christina Renault and Captain Brian Wilson.
Lifesaving Medal: CO II Mark Ramirez,
ASPC-Eyman
On May 17, 2010 CO II Mark Ramirez was called to
the restroom area to help an inmate in distress. An
inmate was on the floor in front of a toilet gasping for
air. Ramirez activated the ICS, then knelt behind the
inmate and performed the Heimlich maneuver. After
about 5 or 6 thrusts, the food was lodged free and the
inmate could breathe again. Ramirez then assisted the
inmate to a bench where he could be evaluated by the
nurse. The inmate was medically cleared to remain in
the unit. The rapid response and correct application
of training protocols by CO II Ramirez saved the life of
the inmate.
www.7 azcorrections.gov ADC
Directions
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued from pg. 6
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued pg. 8
MS: CO II Cecilia Nero, ASPC-Douglas.
MS: CO II James Montgomery,
ASPC-Eyman.
MS: CO II Todd Masterson,
ASPC-Eyman
MS: CO III John Cooper, ASPC-Lewis
MS: CO II Shawna Hardesty, ASPC-Safford
MS: Gregory Denning, ASPC-Perryville
MS: Lib. II Tamara Swerline, ASPC-Safford
www.8 azcorrections.gov ADC
Directions
Employee Recognition Award Photos continued from pg. 7
MS: Andrew Tafoya, Central
Office.
MS: Charles Flanagan and Dr.
Michael Adu-Tutu, C.O..
MS: Anthony Zelenak, Central
Office.
MS: Dona Markley, Central
Office.
MS: Karen Pulley, Central
Office.
MS: Kristine Harkins, Central
Office.
MS: Nishith Dave, Central
Office.
MS: Sam Keomaka, Central
Office.
MS: Travis Coleman, Central
Office.
CS: CO II David Dennis,
CO II Kristina O’Toole and
CO II Tara Stark, ASPC-Eyman
CS: Sgt. Gary Reed, ASPC-Lewis
CS: CO II Mark Baca, ASPC-Winslow
