N.C. Department of Correction--Correction News--June 1998

News Briefs

Operation Nightlight A Success

Cabarrus County probation and parole officers and the Concord Police Department recently joined forces to set up a community policing project called Operation Nightlight.

The mission of the project was to work together at traffic stops to check for probation/parole violators and absconders, as well as, any illegal criminal activity by the probationers and parolees.

Participation by the PPO staff was overwhelming. Serving on computers in the office were ICO Bill Fisher, Administrative Officer Lori Brown, PPO Laura Brame, PPO Teresa Rettinger and Intern Randall Trogden.

Positioned at one of the three traffic stops were CPPOs Nancy Woodard and Catherine Combs, Administrative Officer Mitzi Eddleman, PPOs Danny Payne, John White, Susan Calloway, Gary Thalman, SOs Dennis Robinson, Tommy Seamon, Pat Moore and Henry Black.

Command Post Coordinator for Probation and Parole was Officer Dana Nance. Judicial District Manager Don Linker and Concord Police Chief Cansler visited and assisted at each traffic stop location.

A total of 17 charges were made as a result of the check points. Among those charges were one count of curfew violation of probation and one absconder.

Nurse Elected President of AIDS Task Force

Edwin Cutler, one of 11 outreach nurses working with DOC, was recently elected president of the Wayne County Aids Task Force.

Cutler began working with the department in 1995 when the HIV Outreach Program was first developed. He is currently based at Neuse Correctional Institution. Cutler teaches HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education at Craven Correctional Institution and provides counseling for inmates with infectious and chronic diseases. He provides case management the Neuse, Johnston, Craven, Wayne, Carteret, Wilmington and New Hanover units.

Employee of the Quarter Selected

Michelle Johnson, payroll clerk IV, has been named Employee of the Quarter by the Controller’s Officer for the period January through March 1998.

Gloria McLamb and Wesley Taylor selected Johnson for the award in recognition of her diligent efforts to process health insurance forms and to balance Health Maintenance Organization bills.

Controller Sam Newman said Johnson has demonstrated commitment to her job by working late at night to get the open enrollment completed. In addition, he said her helpful attitude is graciously demonstrated by the way she seeks to help others when her own work is completed.

"The Great Escape" Walk and Run for Fun Scheduled

The North Carolina Correctional Association’s walk and run for fun will be held June 13 at 9 a.m. at Lake Johnson in Raleigh. The event, named "The Great Escape," consists of a competitive regional run, a celebrity speed walk and a walk for fun.

The competitive regional run is a team competition. Each team must have three members. Competitors in the celebrity speed walk must be in the position of unit manager or higher and will be competing for the "Secretary’s Cup."

Anyone and everyone is eligible to enter the walk for fun. For additional information, contact Lt. Monica Shabo at (919)575-3070 ext. 316 between 2 and 10 p.m. or Capt. E.E. Hodge at (919)733-0800 ext., 305 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Formation of Technology Council In the Works

The groundwork has been set for the creation of a committee that will help the department find the best new technology for supervising offenders.

Creating a technology council for the department was one of the recommendations that came from the Corrections Future study. Management Information Systems Chief Bob Brinson called correction managers together May 13 to discuss the need and methods of establishing a group that would represent everyone in the agency.

A model for the council would be the panel created by the Division of Adult Probation and Parole. Sherry Pilkington of DAPP said their technology council has proved helpful in bringing together the people who would make decisions about the purchase and use of equipment and provided a method of evaluating new computers, software and other technology. By involving other areas of the agency, they’re able to speed up the decision making process, make a more informed decision and share information with others.

The group will also look at networking with outside technology experts and monitor the latest efforts of the state’s Criminal Justice Information Network and U.S. Department of Justice.

Guy Named to NIJ Technology Panel

NC Division of Adult Probation and Parole Director Robert Guy has been named Vice Chairman of the Communications Committee of the Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Advisory Council for the National Institute of Justice.

The Council has nine committees made up of criminal justice professionals from across the country that advise the NIJ on criminal justice equipment and technology needs and recommend program priorities.

Officers Compete in Harnett Catfish Tournament

Lt. Glenn King of Harnett Correctional Institution won first place in the third annual Harnett Correctional Catfish Tournament on the Chowan River in Edenton. Second place honors went to Lt. Fleming Parker of Harnett, third place to Tony Williford and fourth place to Correctional Officer Douglas Speight, also of Harnett Correctional Institution. The annual Chowan River Catfish Tournament is organized each year by Sgt. Donald Bartsch. u

NC DOC Correction News- June 1998
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