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

Newsbriefs

Morganton - Enterprise Manager Ray Patton was recently named Laundry Manager of the Year by the National Association of Institution Linen Management. Patton, a 25-year DOC employee was in competition with 45 other professionals. The award is given annually to someone who exhibits dedication, attention to detail, and professionalism. Patton supervises the entire laundry operation at Broughton Hospital laundry, Foothills and Western Youth Institution. He processes 90,000 pounds of laundry every week. This is one of seven laundries operated by Enterprises.

Edenton - Gates Correctional Center sponsored a golf tournament at Albemarle Plantation Oct. 9. Twenty-two correctional employees from eastern N.C. walked away with trophies. First flight winners were Greer Futrell and Larry Newsom, Gates. Second flight winners included Kenneth McKee, Wayne and David Hill, Neuse. Third flight winners were Sam Smith, Central Area Office and Steve Bird, Neuse.

Raleigh - All IMPACT facilities and staff have transferred from the Division of Prisons to the Division of Adult Probation and Parole. "Because IMPACT trainees are officially known as probationers, it seemed appropriate to place the operation under DAPP," said Secretary Jarvis. "I'm real excited about IMPACT coming over here," said DAPP Director Robert Guy. "IMPACT is a great program that we've been supportive of and we look forward to them being a part of our division."

Wagram - Officer Waddell Dockery, a bloodhound handler and employee of Scotland Correctional Center recently lost his home and all personal items inside during a fire. Although no one was injured, Waddell and his family were left without food, clothing and shelter. Supt. Ralph Stamey is asking correctional employees across the state to pitch in and help. Please send contributions to Sgt. Beverly Williams, Scotland Correctional Center, P.O. Box 268, Wagram, NC 28396.

Raeford - Barbara M. Pierce, an administrative officer at Hoke is the new president of the 800-member N.C. Correctional Association. A member of NCCA for six years, Pierce is very active in community service. She was the 1995 Civitan of the Year and in 1996 she was awarded the Club Honor Key, the highest award given by the Civitan Club. She also volunteers with the Fayetteville Downtown Outreach Center for Males. The Center assists in the rehabilitative efforts of offenders and others in their return to a normal lifestyle. A member of Antioch Baptist Church in Proctorville, Pierce still finds time to assists her husband, Rev. Garland Pierce, pastor of Bright Hopewell Baptist Church in Laurinburg.

Raleigh - Controller Sam Newman has named Mary Ellen Minges Employee of the Quarter. "Your outstanding work in the new Medical Adjudication Unit has resulted in substantial savings for DOC," Newman told Minges. You have proven your ability and adaptability to accept new challenges." Also receiving the Employee of the Quarter award was Jeannie Betts, an accountant. Betts was praised for her diligent work on the accounting system user’s manual and her assistance with the food service file transfer process. "I appreciate your good work and dedication to your job," said Newman.

Durham - Probation and Parole officers in Durham have already begun reaching out to help the community this holiday season. They formed a Food and Clothes Team committee known as FACT. They collected donations and presented representatives of the Durham Dept. of Social Services and the Durham Rescue Mission with several boxes of canned food and more than 20 large bags filled with clothes. Chief Probation and Parole Officer Geoffrey Hathaway was assisted in this project by officers Odessa Gatewood, Tonya Griffis, Donnie Harris, Myron Moore, Jesse Reaves, Alfred Solomon, Terence Eason, Rodney Ellis and office assistant Peggy Teachey.

Southern Pines - David Ellis of Rowan Correctional Center received the Outstanding Program Assistant Award during DOP’s programs symposium in September. "David is a very dedicated and conscientious person who goes beyond the call of duty," said Programs Director Monty Brown. "He has coordinated activities between the prison and volunteers. David is always available to answer questions or to help others."

Cary - Franklin Freeman, chief of staff for Gov. Hunt and former DOC Secretary, spoke to a national correctional engineering conference hosted by DOC Engineering. There were 150 engineers from 30 states represented. "North Carolina attacked its overcrowding problem by looking at its sentencing laws and by building more prisons," Freeman told the crowd. Although correction budgets have grown significantly, a reduction in funding is coming, according to Freeman. "There’s a move to cap funding and redirect money to education," said Freeman. "We’ve done away with parole and are concentrating on keeping violent offenders behind bars longer. This strategy has allowed DOC to plan based on predictions and cost. We can plan on what kinds of beds we’ll need and how many. We’re moving towards single cells." Freeman thanked the engineers for their hard work and devotion to their jobs.

Raleigh - Cheryl Hight, an office assistant with the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission, won an honorable mention ribbon at the N.C. State Fair in Oct. Hight’s oil portrait of her daughter Stephanie was entered in the Fine Arts and Photography category. The portrait was shown briefly during UNC-TV’s coverage of the fair.

Gates - The N.C. Correctional Association named Helen Knight, editor of the Gates County Index, the recipient of its 1997 Journalism award during its annual November conference. Employed by the Roanoke-Chowan News Herald, Knight represented DOC in a very positive manner with her insightful and inspiring articles. Her frequent articles have demonstrated to the public inmates working on community work squads, on Adopt-a-Highway crews and around the Gates prison. Knight has been helpful with keeping the public informed of all aspects of prison operations as it impacts the community, staff, and inmates. The nomination was submitted by former Gates Superintendent Steve Muller.

Raleigh - DOC employees interested in singing in the state employees' choir should notify Monica Porter by Dec. 5. You will need to submit in writing or by E-mail your name, agency, mailing address, phone number, fax number and E-mail address to Monica Porter, address: 116 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

NC DOC Correction News- December 1997
NC Department of Correction News
NC Department of Correction Homepage