Directions March 2003

              In This Issue...
Director’s Perspective:A CO III who works
at the Eyman Complex makes it very clear to
me how employees feel about the $5,160
hiring bonus and $100 per pay period
retention program ........................................2
CISD provides help to staff.........................3
ADC Employees who have been called to
active duty...................................................4
The inmate population explosion in Arizona
is creating new challenges for Alhambra
employees.....................................................6
Employee suggestions lead to new DIs........10
Where to house homeless sex offenders who
have been released from prison is not an easy
job..............................................................12
U.S. Calls on ADC - continued on page 4
ADC Employees Assist War Effort
As military operations are
underway in Iraq, approximately 132
employees of the Arizona Department
of Corrections have left their posts at
the Department to serve our nation as
members of the U.S. National Guard
or Reserves.
“From an administrative standpoint
the loss of our staff due to military
commitment makes a difficult staffing
situation worse. As a retired military
member, I understand the necessity
of military intervention and I am
extremely proud of staff who
volunteer their time to serve in
our Armed Forces for our great
country. I salute them for their
courage and dedication,” ADW
Tom Forwith, ASPC-Lewis,
Morey Unit.
ADC employees representing
all complexes have been
deployed to the Middle East or
have been called to duty to
assist in homeland security and
operations.
Scott Bellamy of ASPC-Safford receives an
officer pin from his supervisor. Bellamy, a
member of the National Guard, has been
deployed to the Middle East.
New Hiring Bonus In Effect
A hiring bonus and retention
program has been implemented at
the Arizona State Prison Complex-
Florence, ASPC-Eyman and ASPC-Lewis.
The program will affect
Correctional Officers II, Sergeants
and Lieutenants as follows:
n A hiring bonus $5,160,
which obligates newly hired CO IIs
assigned to the affected complexes
to remain there for two years.
n An equitable increase to
incumbent CO IIs, Sergeants and
Lieutenants at these facilities of
$100 per pay period. Additionally,
CO IIs, Sergeants or Lieutenants
transferring to Florence, Eyman or
Lewis will receive the $100 per pay
period increase. Those individuals at
ASPC-Lewis who are already
receiving $100 per pay period will
continue to receive this benefit under
this new incentive program.
“It is our belief that this program
will assist in resolving our issues with
vacancies at these three prison
complexes, thereby, enhancing and
increasing staff safety and security.
It is important to realize that this
program is funded through the end of
this fiscal year with vacancy savings.
We are avidly pursuing funding for
the program through the Legislature
to continue the program in fiscal year
2004,”said Acting Director Charles L.
Ryan.
ACTING DIRECTOR: CHARLES L. RYAN MARCH/APRIL - 2003
22
by Acting Director Charles L. Ryan
Web site:
adcprisoninfo.az.gov
Printed by
Arizona Correctional Industries
DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
“Directions”
is an official publication of the
Arizona Department of Corrections
Charles L. Ryan, Acting Director
Michael A. Arra,
Media Relations Administrator
Virginia Strankman,
Editor
Vincent Funari
Editorial Assistant
Arizona Department of Corrections
Media & Public Relations Office,
1601 W. Jefferson
Questions and comments
may be submitted to
Newsletter Editor
Mail Code 441,
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone (602) 542-3133
A letter I recently received from a CO III who works at the Eyman Complex makes it very
clear to me how employees, other than those in the security series, feel about the $5,160 hiring
bonus and $100 per pay period retention program that has just been re-established for the
Eyman, Florence and Lewis complexes.
The letter points out that due to shortages of officers, sergeants and lieutenants, program officers are the first to fill
in. It states that when there is an IMS, program officers respond and are fully involved, that they are required to work
20% of their week in security positions when staffing levels fall, participate in shakedowns, be on the mandatory
overtime list, and do everything officers, sergeants and lieutenants do. The bottom line of the letter - programs staff at
Eyman, Florence, and Lewis are equally deserving of the extra money.
I agree. Every single point in this CO III’s letter is valid. The fact is, I would like very much to make this a more
equitable situation for everyone, but right now I can’t, nor can the Arizona Legislature, the Governor and all the powers
that be in the State of Arizona. You know the reason - not enough money.
I can only urge the CO III who wrote the letter and every program officer, Captain, or any other employee at Eyman,
Florence or Lewis who justifiably feels the same, that you bear with us in the struggle to deal with an inmate
overpopulation crisis of record proportions, a lack of prison bed space to house them, and the critical need for security
staff at those three prisons to watch over them. This year we have crossed the 30,000 inmate threshold and the
population has been growing over the past three months at an average of 235 - double the legislatively appropriated
growth rate of 118 for the same period.
Simultaneously, we are experiencing extreme CO II vacancy rates that have been compounded by the war in Iraq and
the Homeland Security deployment of the National Guard. The vacancy rate is more than 31% at Lewis and more than
26% for Eyman and Florence. The hiring bonus and retention stipends are based on evidence that the same program
proved very successful at ASPC-Lewis during FY 2001. An operational vacancy rate at Lewis of nearly 50% in
December, 2000 dropped to zero by July, 2001.
Speaking of Lewis prison and these overcrowding and CO II vacancy issues, there are 350 beds at the Rast Unit that
have remained unoccupied due to the Department’s inability to attract and retain security staff. The prompt
implementation of the hiring bonus and stipend program will aid in our ability to get the desperately needed Rast beds
opened.
Looking beyond the need to open Rast, there is another vitally important reason for the hiring bonus and retention
pay. It is the interest of the public safety and the safety and welfare of our employees. While I cannot minimize the
need for equitable pay for program officers who rightfully deserve it, I also cannot minimize my concern for everyone’s
safety in the midst of unprecedented inmate overcrowding.
To the Eyman CO III who wrote the letter as well as all program series officers and employees who are not eligible
for the bonus and retention money, you have my support and encouragement. I sincerely hope the information I have
provided you will help you understand the difficult times we are in. I can assure you, other positions have not been
forgotten. The Department will continue to strive for salary increases for other classifications, even in light of the tough
state budget situation.
33
October 26, 2000, is a date that forever
changed the life of an ADC employee.
Correctional Officer Anita Baca was
supervising inmates at the Arizona
Correctional Industries Sign Shop in
Tucson, when she was attacked from
behind by an inmate and threatened with
a 12-inch shank held to her throat. The
inmate and two others were planning to
escape.
Eventually, two other inmates in the
Sign Shop overpowered Inmate Bailey
after the weapon was taken from him by
fellow ADC employee Patricia Yanez.
Inmates not involved in the escape
attempt freed Officer Baca. Still
handcuffed, she managed to dial Tucson
Control for help. Staff arrived and
secured the three inmates.
After the incident, staff members were
immediately contacted by members of the
Tucson Critical Incident Stress
Debriefing (CISD)Team. Regina
Martinez, Dr. Chuck O’Hara, and former
CISD member Maggie Goward were
instrumental in defusing and debriefing
both staff members. Affected staff were
provided with information on the signs
Hostage Survivor Speaks to
CISD Team Members
and symptoms of stress that may appear
within several days of a traumatic
incident, as well as effective ways in
dealing with the stress reaction. CISD
Members also provided information on
referral services, and then continued
follow-up care.
Ms. Baca told CISD Team Members at
the November 2002 Quarterly Meeting
that she knows now that CISD
intervention made a difference in her life.
She didn’t think she needed any services
at the time and thought she would be
fine. However, she quickly realized that
the information supplied by Regina was
helpful when the shock wore off a few
days later, and the realization of what had
occurred set in. She knew then that CISD
intervention was important and she was
appreciative that Regina continued to
follow up with her to provide emotional
support.
For her bravery, professionalism, and
decisive action, Ms. Baca was awarded
the Medal of Valor, the Department’s
highest honor, in December 2000. She is
currently employed as a CO III at the
Lewis Prison Complex.
Last January, my husband, Captain Phillip Elliott and I received a phone call from Fort Grant’s Swing Shift Commander
because of his concern that Sgt. Susan Wright had not reported to work. Shortly thereafter, Major Walt Woolsey
phoned expressing the same concern.
Needless to say, we made plans to look for her with teams of employees helping us. My husband and I got the space
blanket, some coffee and flashlights, not knowing what condition we would find Susan in.
While driving on highway 266, my husband and I were drawn to an area where a lot of accidents have occurred. We
found Susan but her condition was not good.
I knew her husband, Lt Robert Wright, and the other team were just up the road, so I went to call for help. This had to
be one of the worst days that I can remember. Susan was not responding. I stayed with Robert throughout the entire
ordeal, while ambulances, police, and other ADC staff arrived.
I never knew exactly what CISD was about, until that day. I found so much comfort in their kind words, and especially
their presence. During a difficult time, I found the CISD team to have so much strength, even knowing that one of their
co-workers had just lost her life. I realize that words will never be able to express just how grateful I am to CISD. I hope
that this program will always be around, as I feel that these people were able to help me throughout one of the most
difficult times in my life.
Thanks to the Department of Corrections for supporting this program, and especially to the CISD members for their
dedication. I would also like to send a special thanks to ASPC-Tucson for allowing Dr. O’Hara and COII Rigby to
facilitate a first responders debriefing.
From COIV Yolanda Elliott, ASPC-Safford
A letter of Appreciation Written to CISD Members
Personnel Analyst Linda McWilliams,
who oversees the CISD program, is
wearing a CISD vest and badge. The
CISD vest and badge distinguish CISD
members from other staff during an
IMS.
CISD Team
Unveils New
Gear
44
United States Military Calls on Arizona Department ASPC-Safford
Officer Pete Aguilar of ASPC-Safford
Fort Grant Unit, a Navy
Reservist for 12 years, is in his second
year of activation. He has been activated
since November 2001 as a Hull Tech.
Augilar is called upon to fight fires and
do hull repairs on ships.
Officer Scott Bellamy of ASPC-Safford
Graham Unit , a 2222 Transport
Company of Tucson National Guard
Reservist for 13 years, was activated in
early February and sent to Ft. Bliss,
Texas. Bellamy has been deployed, and
is now in Kuwait serving as a certified
88MOS Truck Driver who delivers fuel
to jets.
ASPC-Lewis
The following have been called to
active duty:
COIIs David Alleyne, Raymond
Jenkins, Pamela Bennett, Damien
Gibbs, Michael Coffey, James
Witten, John Henry, Charles Owens,
Ryan Phillips, Jason Doan, John
Herrera, Roc Sweeney, Pedro Garcia,
Alan Griggs, Chauncy Luckett,
Harold Brazil, Terry Ball, Rodolfo
Espinoza and Tycho Hailey.
ASPC-Florence
CO III Eloy Saldana, COIIS Guy
Carino, Michelle Hanley, Joseph
Coronado, Conaciano Vallejo, David
Bishop, Ivan Gonzalez, Bart Blake,
Francisco Hernandez-Baron, Jacen
Key, Michael Salak, John Hill, Gary
Garside, Anthony Larsen, Michael
Sanger, Don Vallejo, Francisco
Corona, Jorge Berny, Dale Mobley,
Keith Ress, Edward Shuman, Ramon
Espinoza, James Nelson, Johnny
Carrasco, Raphael Lopez Jr.,
Edward Procela, Joel Reza, Craig
Stewart, Suzanne Thomason,
Ramon Espinoza, Lee Tsosie and
Sgt. Johnathan Bartram.
ASPC-Yuma
Arizona State Prison Complex-
Yuma has 32 staff members serving
our country, 15 of the 32 have been
deployed.
Several Yuma employees are
members of the Arizona National
Guard’s 855th Military Police, they
include: Sgt.Tony Jackson; COIIs
Doyle Clark, Josue Salas, Jose
Isla, Raul Mottera, Raul Luzinall
and Pete Barwick. These gentlemen
were activated February 7 and were
sent to Fort Bliss Texas for training
and preparation. These men are
currently overseas and their return
date is unknown at this time.
Additionally, the 855th has
guarded the international border
following September 11, the Palo
Verde Nuclear Power Plant, and, their
toughest assignment, the winter
Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Correctional Officer Jeffery Wells
of ASPC-Yuma has been activated on
a long-term basis. He was
reactivated to the Marine Corps in
November 2001 as a Lance Corporal.
He is proudly serving his Country at
Camp Pendelton, California. He is in
the Mobilization Support Battalion.
Wells does the processing and
mobilization of all new and reactived
Marines.
Correctional Officer John Cowan,
a three-year veteran with the
Department, is with the Air Force at
Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He
is assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing
Recon. He belongs to a platoon which
is highly specialized in biological and
chemical warfare.
The other fighting men proudly
serving their country and representing
the Department and ASPC Yuma are:
Lieutenant Tim Cox and Correctional
Officer James Loghry at the
California Army Reserves. COs
Arnold Lavoto USMC, Marine Air
Group Conad 4th Marine Air Wing,
Francisco Alvarado Army National
Guard attached to the 540th Company
Transportation in California and Jorge
Perez with the Arizona National Guard
Battery A 1st 180 Forward Artillery
Battalion Fort Bliss, Texas.
The City of Yuma has two military
bases. Many of Yuma’s staff have
come to ADC from the military.
ASPC-Tucson
COIIs Henry Holland, Joseph
Ragin, James Goodman, Joe
Mendoza, Richard Turk, Robert
Ortega, Rosendo Gutierrez, David
Martinez, Scott Beardshear, Cosme
Guerrero, Mikell Miller, and
Michael Scott of Maintenance and
Dr. Gregory Shipman of Medical.
ASPC-Eyman
Currently, there are 29 correctional
officers and one sergeant from Eyman
that have been called out to serve:
Manuel Perez, John Holbrook,
Mark Hoyt, Justin Smith, Barry
Fernandez, Gladyz Gomez, Ian
Thompson, and Sergeant Daniel
Haight, Joseph Moses, Frederick
Hawthorne, Richard Ramirez,
Donald Weiss, Guillermo
Rodriquez, and Pedro Hernandez;
Michael Dennison, Ted Duhaime,
Haywood Crews, and
55
Tears well up in her eyes as she
rubs them away with her fingertips.
“It’s been OK. I’ve been able to
talk with him every day but when
he’s gone (overseas), I don’t
know,” Shannon Masters said of
her husband COII Michael Masters
of the Arizona Army National
Guard. Michael, an ASPC-Eyman
officer, was called out to active
duty in February.
Two days after she was
interviewed, her husband left Fort
Bliss, Texas for Iraq. She has since
stopped watching CNN reports.
“With what is happening to
some POWs, I don’t want to watch
it,” said Mrs. Masters.
Michael is in the military police unit
as a staff sergeant for the National
Guard. He has been in the military for
13 years and received his Title 10
papers from the office of the President
last month. His papers stated he will be
on full, active duty for a year.
“Michael has been interested in the
military his whole life; since he was a
little kid,” said Shannon. “That’s one
of the reasons I fell in love with him.”
The couple have been married almost
11 years and have two daughters.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, Michael has
been deployed several times. On Sept.
12, his unit was called out to secure
military bases around the state,
including the Papago Base in Phoenix.
He also conducted airport security
training at Sky Harbor International
Airport.
He was part of the security unit at
the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City,
Utah, and patrolled around the Show
Low area during the Rodeo/Chedeski
fires last summer.
“With all of the law enforcement
background in his unit, the 855th
Military Police Company is one of the
most highly deployed units in the
country,” said Shannon.
Michael has been with ADC for
approximately seven years and
currently is a firearms instructor.
He is a sniper for the National Guard
and has competed in the national sniper
competition at Winston P. Wilson in
Little Rock, Ark. The team of two, COII
Lee Tsosie of ASPC-Florence, and
Masters, took first in the state and
fourth in the country in 2001. Michael
took first in 2002 for individual sniping.
Law enforcement agencies of all types
participate in the competition, including
military, police and corrections.
People ask Shannon what she is
going to do now that he’s in full time.
“What do you mean, what am I
gonna do? I’m gonna deal with it,” she
firmly states.
Shannon draws strength from her
husband’s unit’s Family Readiness
Group. She said each military unit has
one and encourages family members
and friends of those in the military to
seek out their respective group.
COII Masters with his two daughters, Katelyn on the left
and Jesika on the right, before his activation
By Kathleen Manning-Chavez, ASPC-Eyman Training Officer
Department of Corrections Employees
Robert Verdugo, Gregory Korsen,
Mike Ryan, Andrew Pridemore,
Ruben Beltran, Bradley Hire, and
Gerald Morgan, Frederick
Peckinpaugh, Matthew Sims,
Dominic Payne, Johnnie Mendoza,
and Roger Jacques.
ASPC-Winslow
Sergeant Daniel Archibald, CO IIs
Noel Cox, William Hamilton, Wells
Marshall and Christian Moranz
ASPC-Perryville
COIIs William Frame, Thomas
Carroll, Gerald Massey, Jr., Duane
Miller, Douglas Fierabend, Lourdes
Torres, Victor Martinez, Gricel Crespo,
Jose Fusner, Christopher Smith and Sgt.
Mark Balzano.
ASPC-Douglas
Deployed to Kuwait: COIV John
Haas, CO IV and COIIs Luis
Hernandez, Roland Guy, Heriberto
Gracia-Chavez, Alan Cruz, James
Fought, Jr., Michael Moreno
Currently at Fort Bliss, Texas: COIIIs
Trevor Bach and Robert Sigona and
COIIs Randy West and William Gower
ASPC-Phoenix
Major Anthony R. Coleman, COII
Brent A. Begay Occupational Safety
CO Ren’e Valdez and COII Alan R.
Blume.
If you would like to recognize an
ADC employee serving our nation,
contact Virginia Strankman at
(602) 542-3133.
A Wife’s Perspective
66
An inmate barber shaves the head of a newly
arrived inmate
A view of Alhambra’s reception intake. This is where nearly all ADC
inmates are processed.
Speeding up Reception: Getting Inmates A faster- paced environment;
enhanced attention to detail; longer
work days; increased overtime and an
understaffed unit.
The inmate population explosion in
Arizona is creating new challenges for
Arizona Department of Correction
employees at Arizona State Prison
Complex-Phoenix’s Alhambra Unit,
the Department’s reception intake
center responsible for processing
newly arrived inmates and parole
violators.
In 20 days in February, ADC
received 1,168 inmates from county
jails throughout Arizona, an average of
58.4 inmates a day. Since January 1,
ADC has received an average of 1,150
inmates a month.
“With the increase in the inmate
population, we don’t have any margin
of error. Staff needs to make sure the
right inmate is at the right place at the
right time. Our security and medical
professionals need to work at a fast
pace and pay close attention to detail.
Staff can’t risk the safety of inmates
and other staff members,” said
Karolyn McConnell, deputy warden of
Alhambra“ Any small snag or complex
shut down can throw off a whole day
and result in staff working overtime.”
According to Rick Ward, a deputy
warden of operations, the heavy flow
of inmates into our prison system
and limited bed space, has prompted
the Department to reduce the number
of days general population inmates
spend at Alhambra from an average
of 10 work days to five work days.
“The unit has the capacity of
holding a total 336 designated and
temporary inmates. So if we receive
70 inmates on a given day, we must
make sure we ship out 70 inmates to
our state prisons,” said Ward.
The exceptions to the rule are high
profile, death row, STG and other
protective segregation inmates.
“If we know we have a gang
member or a protective segregation
inmate, we process him separately
and ship him to SMUII within a day,
death row inmates are sent directly
to SMU II,” said Special Investigator
Brandon Keomaka. “Once inmates
arrive, I look for any inmate who
may be affiliated with any prison or
street gangs. If I detect a gang tattoo
or suspect an inmate belongs to a
gang, I will interview him,” said
Keomaka.
At 6:30 a.m., inmates begin
arriving from county jail throughout
Arizona. As the inmates are unloaded
in the Alhambra sallyport, Keomaka
and other ADC staff are there to greet
them. In the sallyport the verification
and classification of inmates begin. All
inmates who arrive to Alhambra must
have accompanying court papers and
files. It’s up to staff to ensure the
paperwork matches the individual.
Inmates are then given a number, not
an ADC inmate number, and put into a
holding cell. In small groups they are
called out of the holding cell to be
processed.
During processing, inmates are
strip searched, shaven, fingerprinted,
“With the increase in the
inmate population, we don’t
have any margin of error.
Staff needs to make sure the
right inmate is at the right
place at the right time,” said
Karolyn McConnell, deputy
warden of Alhambra.
77
During the reception process, Licensed Practical Nurse Sam Owens asks an inmate a
variety of medical questions
Inmates In and Out in Five Work Days
photographed, interviewed,
administered psychological
evaluations, given identification
badges and clothed in ADC orange
jump suits.
After those procedures, inmate
papers are verified.
“I check all documents, make
sure all names are spelled right and
certified,” said Angie Posadas of
Complex Records. “It’s critical the
initial verification and information on
inmates is accurate.”
Also, Maricopa County inmates,
the only inmates who bring property
to Alhambra, must check in any
property. County prison wear and
restraints are returned to the
respective county.
Following the initial processing
stage, inmates are put into a holding
cell and wait to be called to go to
medical. At medical, mental health
and nursing assessments are
performed; vital signs such as vision,
urine tests and routine labs are
conducted and, if mandated by law,
a DNA test is required. In January
2004, all inmates coming into
Alhambra will be required to take a
DNA test.
Also, inmates will meet with a
medical provider who will give them a
complete physical and, if needed, set
up a treatment plan for the inmate.
“After all these tests are done, each
inmate will be given two scores a
mental health score and medical
score. These scores along with the
inmate’s public and institutional risk
scores make up the inmate’s
classification and determine how the
inmate will be housed,” said ASPC-Phoenix
Facility Health Administrator
Larry Clauson.
“The unit has the
capacity of holding 336
inmates. So if we receive
70 inmates on a given
day, we must make sure
we ship out 70 inmates
to our state prisons,”
said Ward.
Inmates being administered medical examinations
88
by Gail Rittenhouse, Administrator,Staff Development and Training Bureau
Eva Reynolds-Martony, Training Officer, Staff Development and Training Bureau
Training is the Key
Are you tired of being passed over
for a promotion because you don’t
have a degree
or performed
poorly on the
written exam?
Now there
are viable
options to
change all
that. For the
first time ever,
you can get
your
bachelors
degree in
Correctional
Administration
on-line at an
affordable
price at
Wayland
University.
Wayland Baptist University,
known for educating military
Bachelors of Science Degree in
Correctional Administration is Now On-line
personnel, has moved into central Phoenix
to cater to a growing number of law
enforcement students. The
four-year college, based in
Plainview, Texas is fully
accredited and has campuses
at: Luke Air Force Base, Ft
Huachuca, and Central
Phoenix. Plans are also being
made for a Yuma campus.
The Wayland Advantage
Unlike some other well
known Adult Universities,
Wayland is a “nonprofit”
university with in-class tuition
fees lower than those of
University of Arizona and
Arizona State University.
Wayland on-line tuition rate is
$150.00 per semester hour.
Wayland gives ADC
employees credit for COTA,
PDP, Sgt. Leadership, ADC
work experience, and prior military training.
Semesters are condensed, with new
classes starting every six weeks.
ADC tuition assistance is not
available but money is available through
federal loans, grants, and scholarships.
Wayland offers a number of
traditional day and evening classes at
their various campus sites. On-site
tuition is $130.00 per semester hour.
Common Q and A about Wayland
Q- Is there a web site or catalog
where I can find out more information?
A- No, since this is a pilot program,
the information is not in print. However,
you may contact : Dave Wilson at 623-
935-6274 or 602-279-1011
You may also print a Wayland
registration/application on-line at
www.wbu.edu/px
Q- Will my other college credits
transfer in?
A- All credits from an accredited
college that fit within this degree
program are transferable.
In the coming months, ADC
employees will have the opportunity
to look up personal training records
on the internet through Arizona
Government University . Only the
individual and his or her supervisor
will have access to the training
records.
The STARS system, the
Statewide Training and Registration
System, is linked electronically to
Human Resource Management
System, the current personnel
database, and to the Human Resource
Information System, the new database
now under development. All state
employees’ training records can be
found in STARS. STARS may be accessed
from any computer with internet capability.
Also, AzGU will be offering courses at
ADC locations around the state. These
courses include: Employment Law I and II,
which covers the Americans with
Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave
Act, Equal Employment Opportunity and
other employment law.
“I am a strong proponent of Department
employees furthering their education. An
education provides employees with a
solid foundation and opens many doors,”
said Acting Director Charles Ryan. Ryan
serves as a board member for Arizona
Government University
Arizona Government University is a
partnership consisting of all Arizona
state agencies, community colleges,
three major universities and training
providers who are on state contract. One
of its goals is to make training more
accessible to staff and to use its
considerable combined buying power to
obtain training and education services at
a reduced price. Many AzGU classes
carry community college credit when
taught by a certified workforce
development instructor.
For more information visit the
AzGU’s web site at www.azgu.gov.
NEW TRAINING RECORDS DATABASE
9
ASPC-Safford raised money to help
the family of a teenage boy who died at a
local middle school while training for a
track meet.
To show support for the boy’s
family, Officer Roberta Turley and
Administrative Secretary Kathy Peterson
worked together, to encourage ASPC-Safford
staff to order 70 dozen
Safford Doughnut Delivery
Raises Money
by Lu McLendon, Human Resource Division
CORP Local
Board Update
With the appointment and the
election of Acting Northern
Regional Director, Bennie Rollins
recently, the Local CORP Board
is operating at full strength.
Patrick Scherden is a retired
police officer from the Douglas
Arizona Police Department who is
now serving as Secretary of the
Arizona Chapter of the Fraternal
Order of Police.
NROD Rollins has been
employed by the Department of
Corrections in various
administrative positions, and
brings with him a vast knowledge
and experience in the field of
corrections.
The following is a complete list
of current board members and
telephone numbers:
Nolan Thompson,
Chairman, 602 542-3723
Michael Smarik
602 542-1160
Patrick Scherden
520 364-9031
Jeff Hood
602 542-5857
Bennie Rollins
520 868-8243
Acting NROD Bennie Rollins
doughnuts. This order was added to
the community effort for a total of 1,433
dozen doughnuts sold in three days,
which provided the family with
approximately $6,000.
Officer Roberta Turley coordinated
the pickup in Tucson, and the delivery
to sites in Safford.
CO Roberta Turley and Secretary Kathy Peterson of ASPC-Safford
ADC in the Community
An unexpected food basket sent to the Media and Public
Relations Office by a television production company could
not be accepted by the staff but made a Phoenix family very
happy. Public Information Officer Jim Robideau of Central
Office delivered the food basket to children at the Thomas J.
Pappas School, an elementary school for homeless children.
by Kathy Sticklin, Administrative Assistant III, ASPC-Safford
1100
First Substance Abuse Class Graduates
Recently, the first class of 14 female
inmates graduated from the Women in
Recovery program at ASPC-Perryville’s
San Pedro Unit.
Women in Recovery, funded and
operated by federal grant dollars, is the
first formal substance abuse program
conducted solely by the Arizona
Department of Corrections. Typically
substance abuse programs for Arizona
Department of Corrections inmates are
contracted through outside vendors.
According to ASPC-Perryville
Warden Mary Hennessy, the program is
a step in the right direction in reducing
recidivism among female inmates with
substance abuse problems.
“The revolving door is expensive for
offenders and the community,” said
Hennessy. “Conquering a substance
abuse problem is a process. Women in
Recovery is a great
beginning for inmates
but they need to
continue down the right
path.”
Women in Recovery
is a new approach to
treating addiction within
ADC because it places
special emphasis on
reentry and family
reunification during and
after treatment. It is
based on a Stages of
Change model
recognizing the
participant’s awareness,
motivation, and readiness to take
positive action. The program
consists of four phases, each
addressing specific treatment
Inmates from the first Women in Recovery class receive their
diplomas.
by Ed Hernandez, Program Project Specialist, Prison Operations
Employee Suggestions Lead to New DIs
The creation of Director Instructions
200 and 206 are an example of how
determined Acting Director Ryan is at
establishing two-way communication
and building strong relationships with
Arizona Department of Corrections
employees.
The two new DIs, created based on
employee input, present a more even-handed
approach to managing Sick
Leave Use as well as enhancing
partnerships with Employee
Organizations.
“With these two new DIs, ADC is
taking a more proactive approach rather
than a reactive approach. We need to
listen to employees, hear their concerns
and address small issues before they
become big problems. Being responsive
and keeping continual dialogue with
employees open is a big part of this
responsibility,” said Charles L. Ryan.
“Yes, this is extra work. But the
employees are well worth the effort and
everybody wins.”
Director’s Instruction 200 on Sick
Leave Use focuses on a more consistent
method for counseling employees on
the use of their sick leave. The
Instruction establishes reasonable
criteria that may warrant placing the
employee in a Chronic Absence
Classification. The Instruction outlines
what is considered unacceptable
patterns that would necessitate
coaching that employee on improving
their attendance. Supervisors are
asked to identify and monitor
inappropriate use of sick leave and
then to help the employee improve their
record of absence.
“Fostering improved communication
between supervisors and their
employees focuses on prevention. This
attention to prevention will improve
communication between the employee
and the supervisor, and hopefully
prevent problems down the road,” said
Tenney.
DI 206 on Employee Organizations, a
re-establishment of DI 176, is intended
to cultivate professional relationships
with employee organizations that
maintain such goals as promoting
correctional safety, enhancing the
professional image of corrections and
fostering intra and interagency relations.
The DI details the structure and extent
of conducting employee meetings and
the ability to use on-duty time as part of
a recognized employee meeting. There is
also information included in DI 206 that
provides guidance on allowing formally
recognized employee organizations to
recruit new members at the Correctional
Officer Training Academy and
department-wide institutions.
“All too often communication is top
down. Fostering a better relationship
with employee representatives elected by
employees gives them a seat at the table,
and allows their voices to be heard,” said
Tenney. “Only time will tell if the
message is received, but we are off to
excellent start.”
The new DIs are available on the
Department’s Internet and Intranet
Website, or contact your local personnel
representative for more information.
concerns while preparing participants
for a successful transition to the
community.
1111
Girl Scouts Pay Visits
The Arizona State Prison
Complex-Perryville Santa Maria Unit
is bringing incarcerated female
inmates closer to their young
daughters.
The Arizona Department of
Corrections has joined forces with
the Cactus Pine Girl Scouts Troop
to offer a program entitled Girl
Scouts Beyond Bars. This is a bi-weekly
program offered to inmate
mothers and daughters between the
ages of five and 13 years old. In the
program, the children and their
mothers participate in crafts, and
other planned troop projects. The
program consists of positive
parenting skills, helping daughters
earn Girl Scout badges and
reconnecting incarcerated mothers
with their daughters.
The eligibility requirements for
inmate participation in the program
include: completed mandatory
education, no major disciplinary
violations within the last 6 months,
no convictions or crimes against
children and concurrent enrollment
in the Rio Salado Community
College Parenting class.
Girl Scouts
Beyond Bars
Program meets on
alternating
Saturdays at the
Santa Maria Unit,
beginning in April.
The Cactus Pine Girl Scouts Troop
provides free transportation within
Maricopa County for the children,
picking them up and returning them
home. On the other alternating
Saturdays, the daughters participate
with a regular Girl Scouts Troop in
the community.
Both mother and daughter can
continue to participate with Girl
Scouts once the inmate is released.
In 1992, the Girl Scouts Beyond
Bars pilot program began at the
Maryland Correctional Institution for
Women.
Today, 28 Girl Scout councils in
22 states work with prisons,
correctional facilities, detention
centers and group homes.
Before the Girl Scout program
started, many of these girls rarely
visited their incarcerated mothers.
by Linda Higginbothan, Correctional Officer IV, ASPC-Perryville
In Memoriam
Lt. Edna James
Retired
Layton Mowerey
CSC
Heather Roncal,Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Brian Crosby, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Harold Green, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Deanna Morris, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Roxanne Kramer, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Susanna Findlay, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Denny Jackson, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
John Hall, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Erik Koenig, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Brian Dudley, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Jon Jones, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Susan Halfhill, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Luis Matos, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Anthony Delgado, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Karl Groeschel, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Jeffery Brooks, Sgt., ASPC-Lewis
Dillyn Keith, COIII, ASPC-Lewis
John Esquivel, COIII, ASPC-Lewis
David Brodesser, COIII, ASPC-Lewis
Annie LopezCOIII, ASPC-Lewis
Agency Efficiency Report Submitted
ADC has completed the first phase
of participation in the Governor’s
Efficiency Review Initiative by
submitting its preliminary report.
ADC’s submission, along with
reports from the other pilot agencies
and the statewide “steering
committee,” was presented to Co-
Chief of Staff Dennis Burke on April
1 by Efficiency Initiative Executive
Director Peter Francis.
First phase requirement of the
process was to select ideas to be
implemented before June 30. From
the many suggestions received, a total
of 21 ideas were identified that were
determined to be viable and that would
result in operational efficiencies and
cost savings.
Jeff Hood, ADC’s Efficiency
Review Coordinator said, “A great
deal of work remains to be done. The
ideas selected for inclusion in the
preliminary report were simply those
that could be put into place the
quickest. There are many, many other
great ideas submitted by our
employees that bear strong
consideration. We will continue to
examine and research those ideas,
eventually adding to the list of
suggestions to implement.”
Progress toward implementation
and updates regarding the overall
Efficiency Initiative will continue to
be reported in future editions of
Directions.
Frankie Barreras - CO II -Florence
Mark Barrows - CO II -Eyman
Donald DeWitt - Lieutenant -Tucson
Frank Esparza - CO IV -SACRC
John Larkin - Dep. Warden-Yuma
John Moore - Captain - Phoenix
Russ Savage - Dep. Warden- Eyman
Employees on the
Move
Retirements
Promotions
12
Citizens Meet with ADC Officials
Where to house homeless sex
offenders who have been released
from prison is not an easy job for the
Community Corrections Division,
especially when no one wants them in
their backyard.
Recently, at a meeting at Desert
View High School in Tucson, Larry
Spurgeon, Community Corrections
Bureau Administrator, Jess Medrano,
Parole Manager, Fred Gust, Tucson
Parole Supervisor, George Weisz,
Criminal Justice Advisor and Jan
Lesher representing Governor Janet
Napolitano’s office were confronted
by a group of citizens concerned about
the community supervision practices
of the Arizona Department of
Corrections and other Arizona Law
enforcement agencies.
According to Spurgeon, most of the
public’s concern involved the
placement of the number of sex
offenders at a Benson Highway motel
in Tucson. The people living near the
motel felt law enforcement agencies
should notify residents of
released sex offenders in a more
effective manner and restrict
“clustering” of sex offenders in a
single location or zip code.
During a heated discussion
session, Department and other
government officials were able to
clear up the misconceptions that
“nothing is being done and no
one cares.”
In fact, ADC and the
Governor’s office representatives
outlined a number of steps in
place that ensure information
regarding issues related to sex
offenders is distributed to the
appropriate people. One of the latest
developments in community
supervision is the implementation of
the Sex Crime Analysis Network
(SCAN) in which the Governor
fostered a more effective method
utilizing a partnership between
Department of Public Safety, Federal
Bureau of Investigations, Attorney
General’s Office and county and local
law enforcement agencies to
investigate and track down
perpetrators of sex crimes.
ADC, the Governor’s Office and
other law enforcement agencies are
meeting the public, listening to their
concerns and continuing efforts to
protect the citizens and children of
Arizona.
Larry Spurgeon addresses audience, along with other law
enforcement representatives
From the Mailbag
Dear Jan, George, Larry and Val,
Marla and I wanted to express our deep and sincere thanks for the help and attention you have given us regarding the placement
of sex offenders. Thank you for taking time away from your families to meet
with us and our neighborhood on Monday, March 17th. The topic of sex
offender placement is a highly charged issue, but even though emotions
ran high, and often against your agencies, you and your representatives
were nothing but fair, professional and caring.
It is clear from your presentations that this is an issue that you have
been wrestling with and making positive changes about for quite some
time. I am amazed to see how many changes have come about just
because you were made aware of the problems with the group facility
on Benson Highway. These changes have come about in just about
two months.
We don’t agree with the tone that others are taking with the issue or the direction in which they are going. We will no longer be working
with them. We would however like to continue working with all of you towards a positive solution for all in this matter. Please feel free
to call on us at any time.
From:
Kevin & Marla Wallace