Our Staff
Special Olympics
The Florida Department of Corrections was selected the 2009 recipient of the "Cal Henderson Award" recognizing the Department as the top fundraising statewide agency for the 26th Annual Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run. This is the third consecutive year the Department has received this honor from Special Olympics Florida. Department of Corrections employees have consistently and generously supported the Law Enforcement Torch Run/Special Olympics throughout the years, raising close to $130,000 this year, and an equal amount last year. The Department’s statewide barbecues alone raised $57,900 for this worthwhile cause, and nearly every correctional institution and probation and parole circuit participated.
Secretary McNeil speaking at the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Davis Productivity Awards
Florida Department of Corrections employees garnered 15 Prudential Davis Productivity
Awards this year for innovative and money-saving ideas ranging from reconfigured
inmate dormitory locks and in-house sewage treatment services to renegotiated
healthcare costs and fire hydrant repair. Savings ranged from $200 per redesigned
lock to $8.9 million on renegotiated inmate healthcare costs. Two of the 15 award winners
earned $400 and $700 cash awards in addition to their plaques. In both cases, the
winners elected to share their winnings with others. Pictured on the right are some of the Lowell
staff who were members of the award-winning team. (Left to Right): Lowell C.I. Lt.
Michael Quimby, Angela Rizzo, SRN, Sgt. Jacalyn Mike, Lowell C.I. Warden Brian Riedl.
Drug Detection Dogs
During the first week of November 2008, the Inspector General’s Drug Detection Canine Unit competed against 60 other teams nationwide in the Southern Hill’s Kennel annual seminar and recertification program. For the second year in a row our teams finished the competition with the top two prizes, and we placed in the top five in all the competition categories. These dogs are trained to detect drugs, weapons, and other contraband and are used in prisons and on prison grounds, including parking lots, throughout the state.
Left: Region 2 Inspector Brett Handley and Fido won Top Dog award.
Right: Region I Canine Inspector Chris Mears and Harley took
first place in vehicle and building searches.