N.C. Department of Correction--Correction News--November 1997

News Briefs

Lincolnton - Bikers from Lincoln and Cleveland correctional centers pedaled 200 miles to the capitol city Oct. 16 to help charity. Sgt. Sandy Swafford, Officers Tony Dellinger and Cecil Comer and Sgt. Gene Chambers (retired) rode their bicycles two hundred miles. Sponsors supporting the bikers made donations to The Children’s Home in Winston-Salem. The bikers train all year for this event, riding up to thirty miles a day. Anyone wishing to make donations on behalf of the DOC bikers can send a check to The Children’s Home, 1001 Reynolds Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27119-2527. Please note on the check that the donation is on behalf of the Dept. of Correction bike riders.

Raleigh - Correction News had quite a few calls from employees asking about the background of Ina Hughs, the author who wrote the Prayer for Children, reprinted in the August newsletter. Ina Hughs is a distant relative by marriage of DOC Title VII employee, Rosemary Ritzman. Hughs has written articles for the Charlotte Observer and other newspapers.

Charlotte - Hoke County Surveillance Officer Randy Smith has been named the strongest officer in the state. That’s after placing first in the state Police and Firefighters Games bench press. He beat the previous record with a 445-pound press. Smith plans to compete in the World Police Olympics in Sweden in 1999.

Greenville - DAPP Training Coordinator Melvin McLawhorn was recently appointed to the Pitt County Alcohol Beverage Control Board. He is the first African-American named to the board. A Greenville native, McLawhorn is also a member of the city’s Police Advisory Board and has served on the Greenville Pitt County Board of Adjustment.

Raleigh - Veronica Howell, who works in Internal Auditing, received a $100 savings bond from Secretary Jarvis during the Combined Campaign kickoff in October. Howell’s section was praised for the highest increase in giving between 1995 and 1996. Matt Cain received a $50 savings bond. His section, Purchasing and Contracts, came in second. The Division of Prisons received the Supreme Effort Award for continued support and growth.

"I encourage all employees to again consider carefully our responsibility to the less fortunate who live in our communities," said Secretary Jarvis. "Be a part of making a real difference in their lives by supporting the 1997 campaign. Your contribution will go a long way toward helping reach the statewide goal of $3,000,000."

Raleigh - Bill Parrish has been named Employee of the Quarter for the General Accounting Section for June through August. Parrish was praised for his tireless efforts in maintaining accounts, safekeeper billings, and processing highway and motor fleet bills. "Your accuracy and speed in processing invoices into the accounting system allows us to use you in assisting others when the workload becomes too heavy," said DOC Controller Sam Newman.

High Point - Sandy Ridge Superintendent Wallace Shields has been listed in the Fall 1997 edition of Who’s Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. The section about Shields discusses the different programs available at Sandy Ridge including work release, study release, and community volunteer leave. A short biography about Shields is also included.

Harlem, N.Y. - Probation Parole Officer Nikita Sutton appeared on the nationally syndicated program Showtime at the Apollo. The show aired Nov. 1 and will run again Jan. 8. Sutton placed second by singing a moving rendition of Through the Storm. Several famous entertainers got their start at the Apollo including Bill Cosby, The Jackson Five and Lou Rawls.
Benson - Carteret Superintendent Charlie Meeks won first place in both culinary and showmanship categories at the Johnston County Pork Cookoff. The cookoff was one of the highlights of the annual Benson Mule Days celebration in Sept.
Raleigh - William Mann, who works with the Community Partnership Program, was appointed to the National Community Sentencing Association during a Sept. 28 meeting in Denver, Colorado. The annual conference started in 1987 to help educate people about community corrections.

NC DOC Correction News- November 1997
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