News Briefs

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

News Briefs

Two Probation/Parole Officers On Award Winning Team

WINSTON-SALEM- Probation/parole officers Scott Bauer and Jack Bullard are members of the Forsyth County Drug Court team that recently received an award from the North Carolina Council of Community Mental Health/Development Disabilities/Substance Abuse. The council presented the Adult Substance Abuse Services 2000 Program of Excellence Award Dec. 12 at the 2000 N.C. Council Conference and Exhibition in Pinehurst.

The Drug Treatment Court is a program aimed at helping non-violent addicted felons whose criminal justice system involvement is due, primarily, to a substance addiction. Clients commit to a 12-month program that includes intensive outpatient treatment, frequent urine drug screens, intensive probation, a curfew, attendance at self-help recovery meetings, securing a sponsor and appearing before the Drug Court twice a month.

A Drug Court team is made up of an intensive probation officer, judge, district attorney, defense attorney, Drug Court manager, Drug Court case manager and an assigned police liaison. The team members commit to helping clients achieve a sober and drug free lifestyle and self-sufficiency through assistance with securing housing, employment, training and education. Both Bauer and Bullard have been on the Forsyth County Drug Court team since 1996.

Employees Featured In College Textbook

Two employees, Charles Walston and Joseph Hackett, are featured in a recently released college textbook called Corrections in the 21^st Century 2001.The textbook will be used by colleges and universities throughout the country to teach upcoming criminal justice professionals about the corrections field.

Walston, a correctional training instructor with the Office of Staff Development and Training, is featured in a chapter titled, "The Staff World." Hackett was a correctional case analyst at Neuse Correctional Institution and is featured in a chapter titled, "Sentencing." He is now a probation/parole officer in Lenoir County. The pair’s careers are profiled with highlights on their training, educational background and job responsibilities.

Correctional Officer Receives Leadership Award

TROY- N.C. Community College System President H. Martin Lancaster presented Correctional Officer Andres Hernandez the President's Leadership Award during a ceremony in Raleigh Nov. 17.

Hernandez graduated in 2000 from Montgomery Community College and is now a member of the college’s Board of Trustees. Board Chairman Gelynda Capel told a newspaper reporter she thought the award is a result of a combination of Hernandez's leadership roles as student and trustee, as well as the work he does in the community.

Hernandez has worked at Southern Correctional Institution since 1998. He lives in Troy with his wife. Hernandez also received the community college system's Academic Excellence Award last year.

Community Corrections Staff Honored By Windsor Mayor

WINDSOR- Mayor Robert Spivey of Windsor presented Certificates of Appreciation and flood volunteer badges Dec. 18 to Bertie County Community Corrections employees. The certificates and badges were in recognition of employees who provided community service during Hurricane Floyd.

Staff assisted with evacuations, emergency management coordination, food preparation, relocation of nursing home residents, and security. Mayor Spivey expressed his appreciation of the staff and stated, "We couldn't have done it without you."

(cutline -Staff members who received certificates and badges from Windsor mayor were, back row, from left: Jim Byrum, surveillance officer; Bill Price, intermediate officer; Hank Miles, intermediate officer; and Randy Skinner, intensive officer. Front row, from left: Keith Everette, intermediate officer; Lori Barnes, chief probation/parole officer; Martha Price, office assistant; and Allen Speller, intensive officer.)

NCPPA Holds Fall Workshop

LEXINGTON- About 130 people turned out for the Division 3 NCPPA Fall Workshop Nov. 3. The agenda included special recognition of Judge Tom Ross for his tireless efforts for Community Corrections over the past several years. Keynote speaker Judge Ron Spivey praised field officers who were involved in Drug Treatment Court. Officers and staff were also encouraged to volunteer in an upcoming spring project where they will assist Habitat for Humanity in building a house. The dates of the project are still being determined.

(cutline- From left, Randall Hornsby, probation/parole officer in Forsyth County; Carlton Morris, poster child for the Special Olympics Torch Run; and Ashley Kinney, probation/parole officer in Davie County at the NCPPA Fall Workshop.)

Foothills Holds Blood Drive

Morganton - Foothills Correctional Institution held its first annual blood drive Nov. 13. Thirty-four units of blood were donated to the Red Cross to provide assistance in possible life saving efforts. A total of 30 previous donors and four first-time donors participated. The Foothills Fitness Committee coordinated the blood drive and future plans are to hold blood drives on a bi-annual basis.

Kiefer Receives National Certification

RALEIGH- Steve Kiefer, research and evaluation analyst in the Office of Research and Planning, recently received certification from the Institutional Review Board Professionals of the Applied Research Ethics National Association.

Kiefer started with the Department in 1974 as a staff psychologist in the Division of Prisons and later as a mental health program director. A research analyst since 1989, he conducts program evaluations and clinical research. Kiefer is part of a team evaluating community criminal justice programs, and another team implementing the Offender Management Model and the Common Record. He is also the liaison with the Division of Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency, helping to design and implement treatment-specific computer modules to aid in planning and outcome evaluations.