Compass Highlights
Winter 2006

DC is Proud of Mentors and Volunteers

By Chris Akins, operations management consultant II, Community Relations, Central Office

Connie Amerson

Region I Institutions – Connie Amerson

Connie Amerson works as classification supervisor at Century CI. She has held this position for approximately four years. Amerson joined the department 15 years ago as a secretary. After she obtained her degree from the University of West Florida, she became a classification officer in 1995. Later, she became a senior classification officer and she then advanced to the release officer position.

One of her duties as supervisor is to provide guidance to staff. Instead of telling her staff the answer, she directs them to where the answer can be found. She always tries to provide the means for the individual to grow and become more efficient. ...more mentor and volunteer profiles.

Corrections Initiates Historic Prison Drug Treatment Research
Intense Study First of its Kind in Prison System

Tallahassee – The Florida Department of Corrections announced an innovative joint research partnership with the Florida State University (FSU), which will include a rigorous assessment of drug rehabilitation efforts in the Florida prison system.

"This study will provide research that will set the standard for future studies in this area," said Dr. Thomas Blomberg, Dean of the FSU College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. "We believe the study is the first of its kind. It will require a great deal of determination and commitment." ...more about drug treatment research.

What do you mean “Access Denied”?

For a couple of days in October 2005, and again in November, the Florida Department of Corrections’ (DC) public website had a hitch while it was changing servers, and don’t think it went unnoticed. Emails started flooding in to Webmaster Regina Blackstock, asking what the problem was and when it would be repaired. Inadvertently, it gave Blackstock and the Department a look into who uses the DC’s website and why. We heard from teachers, librarians, students, law enforcement officers, child protective services, personnel managers, relatives of inmates and many more. Below are some of the emails from users who wanted to know when access would be restored. ...more about the website and user emails.

Leadership

It was a great Christmas present. Sgt. Jeffry Boatright learned on Christmas Day he would be among the 30 selected as part of the first Department of Corrections Leadership Class.

The Gainesville CI control room Sgt. has been with the DC 14 years. “I’m still walking on clouds about being chosen for the class,” he says, “I am blown away by the honor.” Sgt. Boatright and other participants were chosen from more than 100 nominees.

The inaugural class is meeting one week a month through April. The first session was held January 8 through the 13th. ...more about the leadership program.

Secretary's Message Lead Stories   DOC is Proud of Mentors and Volunteers Statistics Show the Benefit of Mentoring and Volunteering in Your Community Corrections Initiates Historic Prison Drug Treatment Research What do you Mean "Access Denied"? Lead Stories - Leadership Inside Corrections   Lancaster CI Launches New Helicopter Pad Prisoners Contribute to Schoolchildren's Supplies Through 'A Gift for Teaching' Program Corrections in the Community   Life Inside Diligence Pays Off Palm Beach County - Circuit 15 Officer Drug Bust A Recipe for a Successful Partnership Between Probation and Parole And Local Law Enforcement Jacksonville - Circuit 4 Officer Drug Bust Leadership   Leadership Class Profiles Wellness   Wellness and Healthful Living are All Important True of False: A Nightcap is a Good Antidote for Insomnia Use of Tobacco and Nicotine Dependence - Part 1 Kudos   Correctional Officer James May Callie's Guardian Angel Leon County Taps DOC Employee as Reserve Deputy of the Year Circuit 06 Employee Recognition