Commuting: Broadening your Horizons

by Senior Chaplain Edison F. Burleson, Century CI

Many of us who work for the Florida Department of Corrections drive a long way to work each day. I figured that over a 10-year period I will have spent one and a half years commuting to and from work. What if I found a good use for this time?

At first, I thought I'd listen to music. It worked for a while, but I still wanted better use of my time. Then, I noticed that a lot of the books I read were also on audio cassette tapes. Before long, I was reading, no listening to a book in two days of commuting. I listened every day driving to and from work. In a few months, I had all the books of my favorite author on tape.

One book on audio tape noted that men do not read very much and most of what men read concerns their job or profession. This is true, but men will listen to tapes while traveling. The practice of listening to audio cassettes is so popular that the restaurant "The Cracker Barrel" sells novels on audio cassette and will exchange them for a new novel for a nominal fee. People who travel across country listen to stories on tape while they are traveling.

A wide variety of recordings on tape exist. People take a college courses and listen to lectures as they drive to work. Others learn to speak a foreign language. People listen to the Bible, while others to their favorite classical or popular music. Tapes can be purchased at bookstores and ordered from catalog book distributors. If you haven't tried listening to tapes as you drive to and from work, try it!

Desoto CI Wins First Place in EPA Regional Competition

Congratulations are due to wastewater treatment plant operators, Bill Galagher and Vic Dotson, at DeSoto CI. They have won first place in operation and maintenance (one of 7 categories) of a small treatment plant for the whole southeast region of the Environmental Protection Agency (that's the federal agency, not the state). The region includes about 10 states. The award is for 1998 operation, and they are the only Florida plant that got a 1st place. This qualifies them to be considered for the national award, also!

Awards are getting to be common place for these 2 operators. They've already won the Phelps Award (best wastewater plant in their size in Florida) in both 1997 and 1998; DEP's award for Excellent Water Treatment Plant operation, 1998; 2nd place for the same EPA O&M award in 1997; a Davis Productivity Award in 1998; and they each got a Distinguished Achievement Award in 1999!

The pride of workmanship displayed and practiced every day by these two men is obvious when you visit the facility, and is being recognized in the awards listed. LET'S ALL CONGRATULATE THEM AND ATTEMPT TO COPY THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR DOING THE BEST THEY CAN EVERY DAY!

1999 Law Enforcement Games

Circuit 12 Sarasota

Circuit 12 Sarasota had two participants in the Florida Law Enforcement Games this year in Cocoa Beach/Melbourne area. These Law Enforcement Games were held June 21-26, 1999, in the Brevard County area, and thousands of law enforcement officers participated.

Lieutenant John Ervien, employed at the Bradenton Probation Restitution Center, won a total of six medals at this year's games. His medals include the following: one gold medal in the four man team overall pistol, a silver medal in the shotgun event, a silver medal in the master class individual combat, a silver medal in the master class 2-man team combat, a silver medal in the master class individual bullseye competition and a silver medal in the master class 2-man team bullseye competition. Ervien's partner in the 2-man competition events was Ed Tillis, another long time DC employee. Both are excellent marksmen and paired up superbly to win the above mentioned medals. Lt. Ervien represented the department and circuit very well. By the way, Ervien is the circuit firearms instructor and range master, for obvious reasons!

Circuit Administrator Carrol Dzina also won a total of five medals including: one gold medal in the 1600 meter Run (approximately 1 mile), a gold medal in the 4X100 meter relay, a gold medal in the sprint medley relay, a gold medal in the 4X400 meter relay, a silver medal in the high jump. Carrol's relay team consisted of two members from other state agencies and the fourth member was Correctional Probation Senior Supervisor John Cynkar from the Gainesville P&P Office. Cynkar is a long time DC employee and also an excellent sprinter. These employees racked up a lot of points for the department at the games and brought home 11 medals. They also had some sore muscles for a couple of days.

Circuit 17 in Broward Gang Task Force

"The task force garnered impressive statistics: 55 violators arrested, 75 felony arrests, 80 misdemeanor arrests, and over 500 field identifications conducted."

Since July 1997 Circuit 17 Probation and Parole has been working with the Broward County Multi-Agency Gang Task Force (MAGTF). This partnership came about through the efforts of Senior Supervisor Gaye Nevins and Sergeant Brad Ostroff of the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Increasingly, law enforcement agencies realize the need for the Department of Corrections to be involved in the gathering, analyzing and sharing of intelligence concerning gangs and other security threat groups.

The Broward task force has members from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Members emphasize communication between agencies, ride-along programs, and warrant sweeps. Task force efforts garnered impressive statistics: 55 violators arrested, 75 felony arrests, 80 misdemeanor arrests and over 500 field identifications conducted.

The Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency Chapter 4 awarded task force member Detective Darin Dowe the 1999 FCCD Law Enforcement Award for Broward county. Dowe, of the Broward Sheriff's office, works with DC probation officers.

In November 1998, the Department of Corrections was invited to participate in the Gang Activity Program. The program is the result of a grant, which focuses on the prevention and intervention of gang activities and the enforcement of gang related laws.

A key to the success of this partnership is the dedication and hard work of Correctional Probation Senior Officer Sarah Harrington. She is primarily responsible for the smooth flow of information between the department and other agencies. Harrington represents the department at all meetings, coordinates the ride-along program and is author of the Circuit 17 monthly gang bulletin.

Detectives Mark Davis of the Broward Sheriff's Office and Donnie Cannon of the Sunrise Police Department credit Harrington and Nevin with much of the success of the program.

Foundation Comes to the Aid of an Officer at Mayo CI

By Jean Lewis, Mayo CI

On July 29, 1999, Officer Wendell Hurst of Mayo CI lost his home and all personal possessions to a house fire. Hurst, who works the midnight shift, was in bed asleep when he awoke to find the home ablaze. Hurst and his wife have two children ages 14 and 11. The institution immediately contacted the Foundation for Partnerships in Correctional Excellence for financial support to assist the family. The Foundation forwarded a check for $250 to the Hursts within 48 hours. It is good to know the Foundation really works for us. The Foundation has come to the rescue of other staff members at Mayo CI the past. All you have to do is ask. Call 850-410-4399 or SC 210-4399.
email: macmillan.hugh@mail.dc.state.fl.us

Marianne O'Neill Retires from Region II After 30 years

"When I started working for corrections I was so young. There were eight institutions. Just the year before they had gotten rid of the ball and chain."

Marianne O'Neill and Director of Executive Services, Ralph Moulder, Region II

There is the sound of paper tearing and Marianne O'Neill says, "It's worth it everybody," as she holds up the box for the deluxe version Palm III personal computer. "I'd have retired ten years ago if I'd known you were going to give me this. This isn't just a box is it?" The room erupts with laughter.

By now O'Neill has collected her thoughts and says, "About ten years ago I went to a retirement party for somebody I admired and respected, Dale Landress. He said he owed all his success and all his accomplishments to God. That planted a seed in my heart that changed me a lot."

"After 30 years of living with the pendulum of time swinging, change is sometimes a good thing. I've had to make a lot of changes and I can tell you right now that I am one of the most blessed people in the world. I have one of the kindest husbands, you all know that. I have a wonderful church family. Thank you all for being here. I'm going to say what everybody says that has to stand here. I'm going to miss you all." (Beep, beep, beep). "My beeper's going off!" The room explodes in laughter again.

"I want you to stand up here with me Dan," O'Neill continues. "If anybody hasn't met your new systems analyst, this is Dan Moss. He's a lot younger and stronger and more energetic than I am."

Ralph Moulder, Director of Executive Services for Region II says, "She's going to be greatly missed. She's done a really good job for the Department of Corrections." John Lake added, "She always came through with a smile."

Buccaneer Coach Tony Dungy at Martin CI

Tampa Bay Buccaneer Coach Tony Dungy speaking to a portion of Martin Work Camp's inmate population

Tampa Bay Buccaneer Head Coach Tony Dungy spoke at Martin and Sumter CI as part of Prison Crusade Ministries presentation in July. Dungy is known world-wide for his outstanding leadership in the world of sports. He has always been active in community affairs in each town in which he has resided.

Coach Dungy answered questions and signed autographs. He concluded his visit with this thought. "No matter how successful you are, if your life's priorities are not centered in the Lord, it will all be in vain."

Staff and inmates enjoyed the visit and the Martin CI administration felt Dungy enriched lives. The visits were set up by Reverend Abe Brown, a member of the governing board of the Foundation for Partnerships in Correctional Excellence.

Circuit 8 Fights Cancer

The 8th Circuit Probation and Parole office spent Friday April 23rd camping out together for a good cause. The American Cancer Society of Alachua County sponsored a "Relay for Life" at Santa Fe High School to raise money for cancer research.

Serious and rookie campers worked to set up campsites and display team pride. Music played during the night and activities included line dance lessons, Karaoke, and scavenger hunts. Twenty-five teams made up of a least ten members spent the night together and raised over $75,000. 8th Circuit staff raised $1,770. The event began at 6:00 pm on Friday and lasted through the night until noon on Saturday. One member of each team walked on a track during the entire 18 hours. Members took turns walking for fun, exercise, fund-raising and team building.