Hillsborough CI is the only prison in the United States to conduct a "Junior Achievement Program" inside the facility, and in its short existence it has already produced some success stories.

It all began in 1998, when Pat Harmon, an executive with the Cargill Corporation, decided to try facilitating a Junior Achievement Program at Hillsborough CI. This class is ten weeks long and meets once a week for an hour and a half. Inmates learn to identify skills they acquired before prison and while they have been incarcerated that could be listed on a resume. Some of the subjects taught in the class focus on how to prepare a resume; how to fill out a job and college application; how to identify what jobs they would seek after they are released; and what education they will need to accomplish their goals. They learn about job interviews and what companies are looking for in an employee, and are actually interviewed for a job. They also learn budgeting and how to manage their finances. Each inmate has to give a presentation in front of the class. Since 1998, Harmon has averaged about two classes a year, and is soon to graduate his 70th inmate from the basic Junior Achievement class. Graduates of the basic class are eligible to participate in the advanced class called "Head Start for Success." This class prepares the inmate in more detail for release. Harmon currently has nine graduates of this class.

Assistant Warden Chris Dennard and Sun City Rotary Club President Betty Dye, presenting a check for $1,000 to former inmate Patrick Fleming.

In February of 1999, 95 members of the Sun City Center Rotary Club came inside Hillsborough CI to have their weekly meeting in the staff dining room. The institution has three members in the rotary club: Warden Don Merritt, Assistant Warden Chris Dennard and Classification Supervisor Erich Hummel. Three of the Advanced Junior Achievement inmate participants gave five minute presentations to the rotary club about what they have done since incarceration to prepare themselves to become productive members of society when they are released. The club members were extremely impressed with the professional quality of the presentations, as well as with the lunches prepared and served by inmates in the vocational cooking class.

On October 27, 2000, Hillsborough CI had its Second Annual Junior Achievement Speaker Program, in conjunction with the Sun City Center Rotary Club. Two of the inmates in the Advanced Junior Achievement class were taken out of the institution as part of Secretary Moore's "Inmate Speaker Program," and each gave five minute presentations to the Sun City Center Rotary Club, at a restaurant located about four miles from the institution. These inmates gave a very impressive presentation to the club, and were joined by a former inmate, Patrick Fleming, who also made a presentation. The former inmate was one of the three original inmates who spoke to the rotary club the previous year, and drove from Jacksonville to Sun City Center to participate in this very special program. He told the club how this program influenced him in such a positive way that he is now enrolled full-time in college. He was given a surprise $1,000 college scholarship by the president of the rotary club. This scholarship, according to Rotary President Betty Dye, will be the first of what she hopes will be many scholarships offered to ex-inmates of Hillsborough CI.

The District Governor of Rotary Ken Hopkin was also very impressed with the program and advises he will work to get more of the 40 rotary clubs in his district involved in the scholarship program. As he is the owner of a chain of temporary employment service companies, he pledged future assistance to the inmates of this facility for training and employment. This event received excellent coverage from local television stations and newspapers that reflected positively on the Department of Corrections.

Harmon received the 1999 Volunteer of the Year Award not only for Hillsborough CI, but also for his company, Cargill Corporation, and a national award from Junior Achievement. Harmon's work with these inmates has convinced three members of the Sun City Rotary Club to also serve as volunteer facilitators for Hillsborough CI's Junior Achievement program. Thanks to these volunteers and the Sun City Rotary Club, the Junior Achievement Program is making a significant difference in the lives of these inmates and, ultimately, the citizens of Florida.

CPSO Gordon Darby (left) with Warden Adro Johnson.

CPSO Gordon Darby of Apalachee CI began his state career almost a half century ago, and the Florida Department of Corrections has been fortunate enough to be the recipient of most of those years and experience. While at Florida State University, Darby began employment with the state at the Florida Motor Vehicle Commission. On February 1, 1953 he became a teacher in the education department at Apalachee CI. At that time Apalachee CI had a population of 150 inmates and every inmate was required to attend school part-time. In 1955, he was promoted to education supervisor in charge of recreation, religion and training programs. In 1957 Darby, left Apalachee CI to become a supervisor with the Florida Parole Commission, where he remained for 15 years. In April 1975, he returned to the education department at Apalachee CI and was put in charge of inmate orientation. He was also a classroom teacher, providing vocational testing and recommendations to classification, later becoming a vocational placement counselor. Darby also assisted the prison psychologist and substance abuse counselor in this position. In 1985, Darby moved to the classification department in Apalachee CI's west unit, where he was promoted to classification probation senior officer. Darby is currently assigned to the classification department in Apalachee CI's east unit, where he's been since September 1999. Darby has joined the DROP Program and will end his 49-year state career on June 30, 2003 at the ripe young age of 79.

(left to right) CPO Al Geffon, Hudson P&P and Detective Stephen Foshey, Pasco Co. Sheriff's Office review the successful operation.

New Port Richey P&P and Hudson P&P, in cooperation with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, participated in a project to keep sex offenders off the street and away from children on Halloween. In an attempt to bolster public safety and insure the continuity of supervision, the probation officers, in cooperation with the Pasco County Sheriffs Office, chose to make 32 unannounced visits to sex offenders in the community.

These initiatives are done on a routine basis averaging four or five times a year.

"This is another partnership initiative with local law enforcement that shows Secretary Moore's commitment to public safety," Region IV Community Corrections Director Joe Papy said.

"This initiative allows for the sharing of vital information between the Florida Department of Corrections and local law enforcement resulting in a strengthening of community safety."

February is Black History Month The Florida Department of Corrections recognizes that African-Americans have contributed scientifically and economically to enrich the culture of all Americans in our society. This is one of many reasons why DOC celebrates the contributions and heritage of African-American people during Black History Month. Did you know that Louis Alexander invented the burglar alarm providing a hindrance to the common burglar? In addition, Henry Thomas Sampson invented the cellular telephone on July 6, 1971. Therefore, during this month of celebration, please share with us what your institutions/office did to celebrate Black History Month.