Field Days

Happy Valentine's Day, listeners! Field Days, talks to Kyle Kaminski, the department's legislative liaison about the current budget proposal. He provides an overview of the budget process and what's included in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

In this episode of Field Days, Lieutenant Levens from the Absconder Recovery Unit (ARU), talks to Greg and Chris about the hardships, the successes and what it takes to be a member of the ARU team.

The first ever special edition podcast features an interview with Director Washington and her thoughts on why staff should take the Employee Engagement Survey. In this episode, you'll hear about the innovative ways the department has improved since the last survey in 2015.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Kathy Kieffer from the EPIC section and Lieutenant Matt Mates from Parnall Correctional Facility to talk about the upcoming Employee Engagement Survey. You can expect to get answers from some of the most frequently asked questions about the survey in this episode. The survey will kick-off on February 6 and end February 28. The department's participation goal is 75 percent.

Linsey LaMontagne is the manager for the Office of Community Corrections and she talks about how the office utilizes programming to aid in offender success.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Kathy Arnold, probation sentencing specialist, to talk about the Probation Sentencing Specialist Pilot. You'll learn in greater detail the reason for the pilot and the results that have been reached in the months since the pilot began.

Greg and Chris sit down with Deputy Directors Russ Marlan and Ken McKee to talk about their future plans for the year and what their administrations accomplished in 2016.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz recount the many positive changes that took place this year. Greg talks about changes made in the Field Operations Administration and Chris shares positive news coverage the MDOC received this year.

In this new episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Monica Drake, a communications representative for the Office of Performance and Transformation, to talk about the employee engagement survey taking place in February. You’ll learn all about the anonymity of the survey and changes that were made as a result of the last survey.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Chef Jimmy Hill, the Lakeland Correctional Facility Food Tech instructor who talks about how he's used his culinary skills to train prisoners so they may receive jobs once released. Learn more about the program and Chef Hill in this story from Hour Detroit Magazine: http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/December-2016/Raw-Talent/

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with DeWayne Burton, warden of the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility to talk about the Vocational Village. You’ll learn all about this innovative program that is the first-of-its-kind in the country and all the work the staff does there to find jobs for the prisoners upon parole.

Greg and Chris chat with Andie Saunto, an executive secretary for the training division, about the results of the Harvest Gathering fundraiser campaign. There's also a special shout out to our Absconder Recovery Unit for their domestic violence prevention efforts last month.

Greg and Chris sit down this week with the Former Idaho Dept. of Corrections Director, Kevin Kempf. In this light and fun interview, Chris and Greg talk about Director Kempf’s use of social media in a very creative and transparent way. Kevin talks about how he is changing the culture of corrections in Idaho and the importance of getting out of the office to talk with staff and promote the great work they do on a daily basis.

Greg and Chris sit down with the department's legislative liaison, Kyle Kaminski to discuss the upcoming lame duck session and what legislation will be proposed that affects corrections.

In this short episode of Field Days, Greg and Chris talk about the recent results of the parole eligibility consideration process audit and fine dining in prison. Field Days' host also want you to remember to get out and make your vote count!