Field Days

Greg and Chris celebrate Women's History Month with Michigan's first female warden of a male prison, Pamela Withrow. Listen as now retired Warden Withrow shares how she began her career in corrections, tales of her time with the MDOC, and valuable insight on the evolution of offender success.

Legislative Liaison Kyle Kaminski joins Greg and Chris to discuss the 2020 budget. Listen as he provides valuable insight into the current budget proposal, the approval process, and next steps.

Kellie Fittonneville recently became a field agent for the MDOC. Listen as she provides valuable insight on what it takes to be a field agent and offers advice for those looking to take on the role.

Adrian Scott, executive director of electronic monitoring at the Ministry of Justice in England and Wales, visits the MDOC Electronic Monitoring Center in Lansing.In this week's episode, you'll learn about his visit to the MDOC, what he learned and what ideas he plans to take back with him to implement in England.

In this week's episode you'll learn about the Wayne County Job Fair, a job fair dedicated to placing returning citizens in careers. Listen to how the job fair is developed and how it has grown over the years.

Each year the Employee Appreciation Awards Banquet celebrates and honors hardworking MDOC staff from across the state and from every administration.This year, Macomb County Probation Supervisor Deena Grammatico will serve as its MC and she's excited to have the opportunity to recognize her outstanding colleagues in the department. Tune in to this week's episode to hear more about the banquet, its newest MC, and a recap of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's  first State of the State address.

Macomb County Probation Agent Deb Young knows firsthand the toll multiple sclerosis can take on those diagnosed with the disease.She watched her mother battle the illness and vowed to fight for a cure. Today she belongs to a cycling team that raises thousands of dollars to support MS research.In this week's episode you'll hear more from Agent Young on how she paired a passion for cycling with her mission to end MS, and how you can get involved too.

What do road signs, license plates, officer uniforms, and high-quality engraved products have in common?They are all made by Michigan State Industries.MSI is a division within the MDOC that provides prisoners with an opportunity to learn valuable work skills, while producing goods used by governments and nonprofits.In this week's episode, you'll learn more about MSI, its products and operations and how it has helped put prisoners on a path to success.

The Michigan Department of Corrections is looking to hire 700 new corrections officers and staff at Carson City Correctional Facility are stepping up to help.In this week's episode you'll hear from Warden Randee Rewerts and Carson City employees about how they are working to promote careers in corrections and draw new officers to their facility, and to the department.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has not wasted any time in getting to know, and thank, state employees for their hard work.She recently visited Michigan Department of Corrections staff  and was impressed by all the amazing work happening across the department.Tune in to this week's episode  to hear more from Gov. Whitmer about her visit with MDOC employees, what impressed her most, and her vision for corrections moving forward.

We've come a long way thanks to the hard work of staff across the department and there are so many great things ahead for the MDOC.Tune in to this week's episode to hear Director Heidi Washington share some highlights of the department's newest strategic plan, which will be released soon!

2018 was an amazing year for the Michigan Department of Corrections and there's so much more in store for 2019.Tune in to the very first episode of the year to hear more about some of the new programs, initiatives and efforts that will shape 2019 for the MDOC.A big shout out and thanks to all our amazing staff who are working hard and keeping us safe as we kick off the New Year. You are incredible!

It's been an eventful year for the Michigan Department of Corrections.Tune in to the final episode of the year to hear a recap of all the department accomplished in 2018.A BIG thanks to all our Field Days Podcast listeners for a great season!

Zoe Glass is a student assistant with the Parole Board and has her sights set on a spot on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Boxing team. What started out as a class for self-defense turned into competitively boxing for eight years and dreams of the Olympics. Listen to the episode of Field Days to learn more about Zoe's journey to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Corrections Officer Sarah Morgan graduated in May from the Paul Klee Academy class and now works at the Central Michigan Correctional Facility, alongside who she proclaims are amazing staff. At 19-years old, CO Morgan was one of the youngest recruits in her class and notes that she is humbled by the experiences she has had thus far. In addition to graduating at the top of her class, she was selected by her peers to speak at the graduation.

Adrian Dirschell, chaplain at Charles E. Egeler Reception andGuidance Center and Duane Waters Health Center in Jackson noticed a need to improve the end of life care for prisoners. He along with the support of Warden Jeremy Bush and then warden, Director Washington, have established a hospice program focused on providing humanized care to terminally-ill prisoners. In this episode you'll learn more about the department's hospice program and why it is important to change perspectives of those moving to the transition phase of life. Read the Corrections Connection article about the program, https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/CC_FebruaryNewsletter2018_615529_7.pdf

Dr. Brian Lovins, is an assistant director for the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department in Texas. The Harris County CSCD supervises roughly 50,000 individuals throughout the year making it the third largest probation department in the United States. Dr. Lovins talks about the future of community corrections and furthers the conversation on the role of parole and probation agents play in offender success. He encourages agents to supervise as coaches and not referees and urges the corrections system to move towards a winning model.

Darrick Alvarez, the department's veterans liaison, talks about our veterans support, recruitment and inclusion initiatives.He gives a special shout-out to Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, thanking them for their helpful resources!We have nearly 2,000 veterans working in the department, 13 who are currently deployed. We've stepped up our recognition of our veterans and we truly thank them for their service during Veterans Appreciation week. Listen to all our episodesSoundCloud: bit.ly/fielddayspodcastiTunes: bit.ly/FieldDaysiTunes

Recently, a Director's Office Memorandum (DOM) was sent to all staff stating, as of January 1, 2019, collective bargaining agreements will no longer contain Annual Leave scheduling provisions. The department has since developed a process for scheduling Annual Leave consistent with the new Civil Service Rules and Regulations.Jared Warner, labor relations manager, and Jonathan Patterson, human resources director, discuss how DOM 2018-27 Annual Leave Scheduling impacts leave scheduling.

We have several staff that wear many hats at work, but also in their communities. For a few their public servitude continues beyond their job at the department and extends to holding public office. In this special edition of  Field Days Podcast, you'll hear two interviews from department employees  Steve Gawron (Muskegon) and Scott Wittbrodt (Essexville), who are also mayors of there hometowns. Talk about doing double duty! Chris and Greg also give a few shout outs to other staff that hold public office. Let your voice be heard. Vote!