Notes from All Over

Joe Clark Speaks at Dinsmore CCC

By Robert F. FLORES, assistant warden, Lawtey CI

Above, Joe Clark holding his trademark bullhorn.

Some called him Batman, some called him Crazy Joe, but regardless of his moniker, Joe Clark did at New Jersey’s East Side High School what no other administrator could ever have dreamed possible. In a public school where young people did not learn, where drugs were more prevalent than textbooks, where violence and vandalism made corridors look like war zones, Clark had a vision that transformed East Side. It took only two years for New Jersey’s governor to declare the formerly raucous institution a model school, winning Clark honors as one of the nation’s ten “Principals of Leadership” in 1986. A strong believer in having high expectations for his students, he challenged them to develop habits for success and confronted them when they failed to reform. His inspiring story became the subject of the hit film, Lean on Me, starring Morgan Freeman as Clark.

On December 17, 2003, Dinsmore CCC welcomed Mr. Joe Clark, Motivational Speaker. Clark was the principal of Eastside High School in New Jersey in 1983. Eastside High School was one of the worst high schools in the state at the time. Mr. Clark is known for his hard core tactics to rid the school of drugs, crime, violence and gangs.

A former Army Drill Instructor, Mr. Clark earned the nickname “Crazy Joe” in New Jersey due to his use of a bullhorn and a baseball bat within the school. Mr. Clark demanded respect from not only his students but staff as well. Clark now travels all over the United States speaking on his life experiences.

“The important thing is this; to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” - Joe Clark

Clark thwarts those who believe that the learning process is disrupted by tough discipline. Instead of offering sympathy, Clark held high expectations for students, challenging them to develop habits for success and confronting them when they failed to reform. On a single day during his first week at Eastside, Clark expelled 300 students for fighting, vandalism, drug possession, profanity, or abusing teachers. He explains, “If there is no discipline, there is anarchy. Good citizenship demands attention to responsibilities as well as rights.”

Clark won acclaim for his achievements in a Time cover story, two 60 Minutes profiles, and appearances on television news and talk shows. President Reagan named him a model educator and offered him a White House post as policy advisor (Clark turned him down).

He is a nominee for the National Association of Campus activities 1996 Speaker of the Year Award.

Joe Clark addresses inmates and staff at Dinsmore CCC. For Clark’s Messages and more information go to: www.kepplerassociates.com

Dinsmore CCC was also fortunate to have Elder Foy and Reverend E. Staten with MAD DADS, Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder, speak to the inmate population on December 11, 2003.

Mad Dads is an organization that works with local law enforcement to rid the streets of crime, violence, gangs and guns. Mad Dads was founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 1989 and currently has 60 Chapters in 16 states with an estimated 60,000 members. All members volunteer their time and the organization is funded by private donations. Mad Dads has received numerous national awards including awards from three different presidents. Mad Dads work to change the lives of individuals through education on drug abuse, child abuse, crime, guns and domestic violence, just to name a few.

Fight Just One More Round
The outspoken former high school principal inspires his listeners to never give in to the difficulties of life. He emphasizes that whatever one desires to do in life, to do it untiringly. Clark explains that failure can never overtake a person as long as determination to succeed is strong enough. Your audience will be amazed with this rousing, nothing-can-stop-you message.

From Disgrace to Amazing Grace
Clark focuses on the highly inspirational story of the revival of Eastside High School during his six-year reign as principal. Your audience will be moved by the tale of one man’s courage and determination to bring the poor inner-city student body at Eastside High from a state of “disgrace” to “amazing grace”. Clark will also offer his insight into what is plaguing America’s educational system today and motivate your audience, whether teachers, professionals or students, to strive for excellence in our educational system.

Glades CI Helps Community Kids

Glades CI Officer Charles Walker (left), Captain Tamera Poynter (second from left), and Warden Willie Floyd (middle) present a $1,000.00 donation to the President and Vice President of Glades Youth, Inc., Eloise and Daniel Bythwood (both on right).

The employees of Glades CI created a charity event to raise money for two positive kids organizations in their local community. With the assistance of money donated from the Employee’s Club and their local F.C.C.D chapter 32, a haunted house was created.

The House of Horror was open to the public and had an encore request, making it a huge success! It took a minimum of twenty-five people to work it each night and staff along with some of their family were in full force, ready to scare all who entered. A total of $2,262.00 was raised!

A donation of $1,000.00 to the Belle Glade Boys & Girls Club and $1,000.00 to the Glades Youth, Inc. was given to help programs and sporting activities.

The remaining money started Glades Correctional staff on their next event for the “Santa Holiday House,” open to the public to bring children of all ages. Staff participation was excellent and, unfortunately, there are too many names to list everyone, thanks for all that help!

Special thanks go to Officer Sonia Byer and Sergeant Mark Henry for all of their time and effort!

Desoto CI Employees’ Club Adds Another Blue Ribbon!

In the spirit! Bigger than life and three dimensional, the Christmas card designed and constructed by the Desoto CI Employees’ Club.

For over twenty years, the DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce has sponsored “Christmas Card Lane ” in DeSoto County. This year’s events were held December 6th and, once again, the DeSoto CI Employees’ Club takes home a first place blue ribbon.

Each year, area schools, businesses, and civic organizations are invited to submit a 4' x 8' or 8' x 8' Christmas card for display in Christmas Card Lane. These cards are displayed throughout the holiday season for all to view and enjoy.

In conjunction with the annual Christmas parade and various other events that day, the cards are judged in the categories of Best Religious Theme, Best Non-Religious Theme, Most Impressive, and Most Unique.

But even better than the blue ribbon, is our members’ pride in their community and their efforts for our youth in the form of academic scholarships, DCYAA sponsors, high school athletic contributions, FFA sponsors, and various other community assistance programs.

If you are ever in the Arcadia during the holidays, be sure to stroll through Christmas Card Lane and see some of the local talent’s handiwork. You’re sure to enjoy!

Generous Holidays at Hernando CI

Families with plentiful donations from Hernando CI employees.

On December 19 the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, Chapter 30 and Hernando CI Employee’s Club, gave a large local family a much needed Christmas gift. The Brown family received presents and food products for a Christmas celebration. Approximately 45 Hernando CI staff members donated enough so that the Brown family received four large boxes of canned goods.

The gift went to the mother, her four sons, ages 18, 16, 12, and 10 and four daughters, ages 14, 13, 11, 9 months. Donations also included everything from stuffed animals to musical instruments.

FCCD President Kim Alonso, Vice President Tanya Chavis, Treasurer Sheila Tuttle and state president Warden Raul Banasco made the actual presentation on behalf of FCCD Chapter 30.

The donations for this project were so plentiful that the surplus donations were able to assist a second family. Ms. Traci Foss and her six children ranging in ages from 9-15. FCCD secretary Lesa Bullock and Major Debbie Comstock made the second presentation.

Each family also received a large donation of food at Thanksgiving.

Both families expressed extreme gratitude to all involved staff wishing them a Merry Christmas.

Contributions were so generous, that in addition to the families, Hernando CI staff was also able to provide three boxes of toys to the New Beginnings, a runaway shelter for teenagers.

Avon Park & Hardee CI Prisoners Build for Habitat

By Brian HENDRICKSON, warden Avon Park CI

Warden Hendrickson of Avon Park CI accepts certificate of appreciation for priceless volunteer labor. (Warden Hendrickson-APCI, Alan Ball-construction manager, Andrew Bible-president, Jane Breylinger-Executive Director.

Two correctional institutions in Central Florida, Hardee CI and Avon Park CI, are helping to produce a house from a stack of lumber in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity.

A construction site is a raw energy exchange. The transformation of a pile of dirt to a dwelling place involves much planning, labor, and emotional involvement. The planners dream of the future use. The financial aces have the aim for good, affordable housing. The construction workers provide the blood, sweat, and tears needed to implement the plan and become experienced in the actual building process. Other volunteers run the errands, make deliveries, answer phones, and keep records. The future homeowners volunteer their labor and take pride in their own efforts and joy in their accomplishments.

Habitat is a community thing. Many people are caught up in the dream. Building lots are donated and sponsors found for the initial expenses. Many volunteers make the dream possible by giving of their time and energy when and where they are able. As a family moves into a new home, we cheer as though it is our own. In a sense, it is.

Inmates at work on Habitat house.

Building materials that are purchased by Habitat are used in the facilities to teach construction principles from the ground up. With an instructor, inmates in Hardee CI work from plans to determine the number of pieces needed, instructed on how to make correct measurements, and learn proper methods of assembly. Preassembly is done there and then marked, coded, disassembled, and moved to the job site to be reassembled on the slab. Inmates, who are eligible for off-premise duties with their officer, complete the framing under the direction of the Habitat construction manager, Alan Ball. Ball is a former instructor of carpentry for the Department of Corrections. He has since retired from that career and now brings his skills as a builder and instructor to Habitat. He also brings his dreams of affordable housing for families and his belief in community involvement. And, Ball is not averse to grabbing a tool to expedite a job!

Inmates from Avon Park CI work from a poured slab and a pile of 2X4s and plywood. They assemble all exterior walls and interior walls. They raise the walls and install the rafters. The inmates install the sheathing and dry-in the house. They also build a small storage shed from scratch. Both institutions complete their construction assistance in two weeks. The rest of the work is done by Habitat volunteers. Inmates on the work squads take great pride in their work in this worthwhile project.

When our country was young and mostly agrarian, neighbors helped build homes for each other. These gettogethers became occasions for joy and thanksgiving. We helped to raise each other’s barns and roofs of each other’s houses, quilted the bed covers, and baked and broke bread together. Once again, we are working together as a community. Like the man I once knew who used to point out a house and say to me, “I worked on that house,” with pride and identity in the saying, we can too. We are no longer separate. We are builders together, even if we only answer phones, run errands, or make donations of time or money. We become part of an effort of which we all can be proud that we have helped a family and improved our community. Those in correctional facilities have an opportunity to learn and practice skills as well as work in a less restricted environment than they usually do. On their release, the additional experience they may have gained might be of help to them as they become responsible members of the community. This is a win-win situation. It is my humble opinion that the Master Architect is at work in Central Florida.

Helping Inmates Find a New Direction

By Warden Dwight WHITE, Lawtey CI

There is still a lot of excitement since the opening of Lawtey as the country’s first entirely faith-based prison. Sometimes dealing with the constant flow of media visitors can be stressful, but mostly the staff feels we are part of something important.

Lawtey was the kind of place that never got much attention. Now we feel like we have a chance to promote not only what is happening here, but also the great job everyone in the department does everyday. We are all excited, but we have to keep humble and keep in mind the job we have to do.

Staff responded very positively to the changes here. They love it. It is good to feel a part of something so positive. Before we went to the total faith-based prison, every staff member was given the opportunity to transfer to the prison of their choice. Not a single person chose to leave. They all chose to be part of the experiment.

We can already see the progress in some of the inmates. That is what spirituality is all about. It’s about a man changing, about developing character and integrity. You can see it happening day by day. It doesn’t matter what faith they practice. Every faith is respected here.

When you walk this compound inmates say, “Hi, how are you doing?”

They say, “Thank you.”

They wave at me from across the compound.

It is so much easier to manage an inmate who is not constantly faced with threats and negative pressures that are so much a part of the typical prison environment.

We all feel lucky to be here and to be a part of this. We thank Governor Bush and Secretary Crosby for the courage they showed in undertaking this endeavor.