Field Days

The program has shown early success, but it is in jeopardy due to budget cuts proposed by the state Senate. The MDOC requested funding to expand WRAP to the west side of the state and build on the positive results seen in southeast Michigan, but it was not supported in the Senate’s budget proposal. This episode provides a current update on the WRAP program at Detroit Reentry Center and reiterates the positive role this program plays in offender success.

In this special edition podcast, we pay tribute to Candice Dunn, the 2017 Probation/Parole Agent of the Year, who was tragically killed in a car accident on May 9. You will hear her acceptance speech from the night she received her award and a shared memory from Judge Phyllis McMillen. Patti Yerke, a program manager from the Employee Services Program talks about how to cope with grief and the resources available to staff that may need additional help handling instances of traumatic loss.

In the first ever live episode of Field Days you'll hear from the Field Operations Administration (FOA) Outstate and Metro Supervisors of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients at the 2017 FOA Supervisors Conference. Your hosts Chris and Greg with returning host Noah put Tammy Pettit, Larry MacDonald and Laraine VanLopik in the hot seat to uncover their secrets to being a successful supervisor. Next week a special edition podcast will pay tribute to Candice Dunn, the 2017 Probation/Parole Agent of the Year, who was tragically killed in a car accident on May 9. A tribute, which includes her acceptance speech from the awards ceremony can be watched here: bit.ly/CandiceDunnTribute

In 2003, the Michigan Department of Corrections began what would become a long and fulfilling relationship with the Children's Trust Fund by donating items to its first auction to help support the organization's mission. This week you'll hear Mike Foley and Tricia Headley, of the Children's Trust Fund, talk about the history of the auction, the department's involvement in it, and some of the impressive items donated by the department.

This week Chris and Greg talk about a new program that helps provide paroling prisoners with an additional avenue to access jobs. The Trading Places program helps prisoners in building trades earn credit hours towards their Journeyman's Card for the time spent in the classroom while honing their skills. You'll also hear what Director Heidi Washington and other Trading Place partners had to say to prisoners about the program.

65 years ago, a week-long celebration and specific day were organized to show appreciation for administrative professionals who typically go unthanked in their jobs. Administrative professionals Clara Reid, Miffer Griffin and Kent Williams talk about what the job means to them. Field Days hosts Chris and Greg help sing their praises in this new episode.

Field Days Podcast - Employee Rec Day by Field Days

Listen to the replay of Field Days Podcast most popular episode with Lt. Charles Levens from the Absconder Recovery Unit.

Matthew Alman was one of 13 agents that took their oath and received an official welcome to their new roles as parole and probation agents to the department by Deputy Director Russ Marlan and his executive staff. In this episode of Field Days, Matt talks about why he decided to become a parole agent and you'll hear some of the deputy director's remarks.

Matt Yeager and Jerry Johnston, are both Optical Trades Instructor at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility and teach offenders in the trade the ins and outs of the optical industry. Some qualifying offenders even have the opportunity to receive the nationally recognized ABO certification. The optical lab also gives back to less fortunate communities through a program at Ferris State University.

Pete Martel, a mitigation specialist at the State Appellate Defender's Office and former 14-year inmate talks about how having family support and attending community college set him on a path to becoming a lawyer.

Rob Engel, a former offender who battled drug addiction is now a Outreach Specialist at the Lansing Financial Empowerment Center. Rob helps parolees and probationers reduce their debts and improve their financial health. He shares his success with our Field Days host in this week's episode.

The Vivitrol Pilot Program is the first step to broadening medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid substance abusers. Vivitrol is an injection that is administered to offenders on a voluntary basis to block the feelings of getting drunk or high. Noah returns as co-host with Chris to interview Sherri Sankey, the health unit manager and Keith Jones, a mental health social worker from the Detroit Reentry Center. Julia Hitchingham, the substance abuse services manager also provides an overview of why the department is utilizing Vivitrol.

Ryan Powell and Angie Sprank from the reentry join Chris and Greg to talk about the truck driving training program for offenders looking to start a rewarding career after prison. You can also read more about the truck driving program in the Corrections Connection: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/CC_FebruaryNewsletter2017_552842_7.pdf

Returning co-host Noah Nagy joins Chris Gautz this week to talk about the Wayne County Residential Alternative to Prison (WRAP) program at Detroit Reentry Center with agent Verlynda Winston. She provides an overview of the intensive second chance program that provides G.E.D. classes and skilled trade opportunites for probation violators.