Welcome to the First Issue of the Department of Corrections Newsletter

Each month, DOC will share articles and information highlighting the work and accomplishments of DOC employees, as well as efforts to improve public safety through programs that reduce the likelihood offenders will continue their criminal behavior.

We hope you find the DOC Newsletter useful and informative!    

Monroe Correctional Complex's Food Service Operation Receives National Recognition

John Holeman, consolidated food manager
at Monroe Correctional Complex

John Holeman, consolidated food manager at Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC), has received a national award for his efforts to improve food service programs at the prison.

Holeman, a 20-year veteran of the Department of Corrections, received one of nine Silver Plate Awards from The International Food Service Manufacturers Association (IFMA). Holeman garnered the award in the “Specialty Foodservices” category for his outstanding and accomplished food operations at MCC.

The Silver Plate Awards are presented annually by IFMA in recognition of excellence in nine categories of food service operations. The other categories include Chain Full Service, Independent Restaurants, Hotels and Lodging, and Elementary and Secondary Schools. 

“Food service fosters an environment of collaboration with everybody in the facility, which shows success for the Department and not just me,” Holeman said.  "I believe my own greatest contribution has been in the area of developing job training programs and a management culture that improves morale and reduces conflict among a customer base that has previously been known for facility-wide food strikes and protests," Holeman said.

Over the years, Holeman has consolidated three kitchens for more efficient production; consolidated purchasing; created menu standardization and compliance; and implemented changes promoting consistent food quality and presentation.  Some of these changes resulted in significant cost savings.  Another innovation involved creating a training restaurant inside the staff dining area in the minimum facility, where offenders can receive 4-8 weeks of training and experience in all aspects of creating a menu and preparing meals. 

“Food service isn’t just about working with food, but with the whole community that operates the facility,” Holeman said. “It is important that work is done in different areas to create atmosphere for dining rooms, dialogue with offenders, monthly meetings, training and working over time, which are all factors that make the operation note worthy.”

Holeman received his award during the IFMA’s 53rd annual Celebration May 21 in Chicago.  During that event, hundreds of industry leaders paid tribute to Holeman and the eight other winners.

ACA Accreditation Update

Five Department of Corrections prisons and all 15 Washington work release facilities now meet rigorous standards for accreditation set by the American Correctional Association (ACA).

Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, Airway Heights Corrections Center, Stafford Creek Corrections Center, Cedar Creek Corrections Center and Clallam Bay Corrections Center recently completed and passed the ACA accreditation audit process.

DOC Secretary Harold Clarke has challenged every Department of Corrections facility to meet ACA standards.

"The safety of all Washingtonians is one of my top priorities," Clarke said. "I am proud that our prison and community corrections facilities are committed to secure, safe and orderly operations."

Successful accreditation means the facilities meet accepted national standards for staff training, fiscal controls, safety procedures, food service, sanitation, offender discipline rules and other performance categories. Meeting ACA standards helps to reduce the risk of litigation and provides public assurances that correctional facilities are working safely and effectively.

"Achieving accreditation is a difficult goal, but one that is well worth the effort," Clarke said. "Accreditation results in overall improvements in the facility as well as improving safety for both staff and offenders."

The accreditation audit process includes an inspection of each facility by certified auditors of the American Correctional Association. The auditors examine policies and the adequacy and quality of the facility's programs, activities, and services, as well as any violent incidents that may have occurred. In addition staff and offender interviews are conducted which provide varied perspectives on facility operations and quality of life. To remain accredited, the process must be repeated every three years.

The facilities will receive their formal accreditation at an ACA ceremony in August.

Key to Change: Smart Money Management Skills

Thanks to Community Corrections Officer Jenny Sheridan, along with community partners Goodwill Industries and Key Bank, offenders in Tacoma now have the opportunity to learn smart money management and habits that will allow them to make positive changes in their lives.

After many years listening to offenders talk about problems and frustrations related to money management, CCO Sheridan realized misinformation and lack of information about the basics were the basis of the problem.   Sheridan created the 12-hour course, Key to Change: Smart Money Management as a strategy to increase compliance with restitution payments and as a way to empower offenders to take charge of their financial lives.

The course brings guest speakers from the financial community who cover topics such as Banking Basics, Creating a Budget, Organizing and Maintaining Essential Financial and Personal Files, Spending vs. Saving, Borrowing Money, Investing in Yourself, Credit Reports and Consumer Protection.

Participants who successfully complete the course are awarded a $100 Goodwill gift certificate, courtesy of Goodwill Industries.

During the month of April, six offenders at the Tacoma Criminal Justice Center completed the course.  They gave the class high ratings.

“The program has made me realize the importance of handling money in a proper manner, looking at tomorrow instead of just today", said one. " I like that there are people who care about people enough to help and show that we can change our lives by taking small steps".

One class member wrote, " I got a job since starting the class and cut out foolish spending". Another wrote, “It made me want to go open my own account so I can put away money for things that I really need instead of wanting things that I really don't need. I feel good about coming to this class, thank you."

Sheridan now offers the course on a continuing basis.

Correctional Industries Manager Receives Rare Military Promotion

Newly-commissioned
Second Lieutenant Jameel Shamsid-Deen

It’s no easy task making the jump from sergeant first class to second lieutenant in the U. S. Army, but DOC’s statewide systems manager for Correctional Industries, Jameel Shamsid-Deen, has done just that.

After serving over 18 years as an enlisted soldier, most recently as a sergeant first class in a Fort Bragg-based Army Reserve unit, Shamsid-Deen recently was commissioned a second lieutenant in both the Army Reserves and regular Army.

While professionals such as doctors, lawyers and chaplains often automatically receive direct commissions as officers based on their professional expertise, such commissions are far rarer for enlisted personnel such as Shamsid-Deen.

In order to receive his direct commission, Shamsid-Deen had to meet stringent standards set by the Army. He submitted his military and civilian paperwork (i.e. awards, schooling), performance ratings and security background to the Board. He then appeared before the Board to state why he should become a commissioned officer.  The Board immediately approved him, and his information is on its way to the White House for review and signature.

“This wasn’t a hard process and I think it’s so amazing that something I’m doing is being looked at by people in the White House,” Shamsid-Deen said.

As a sergeant first class, Shamsid-Deen was assigned to a Security, Intel and Operations Section as a nuclear biological chemical specialist and has been the acting first sergeant for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 448th Civilian Affairs Battalion. He will now lead a platoon in one of the newly formed battalions of the 301st Military Police Brigade.

While on active duty in the Army, he began working in juvenile corrections in the 1980s part-time, and that started his passion for working in corrections. Shamsid-Deen began his DOC career in February 2003 as a Community Corrections Officer in Auburn and has held various positions since that time, culminating with his position with Correctional Industries.

During his time in the Army he received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star combat medal and Army Accommodation Medal with Valor. He finished every military school he attended at the top of his class and recently graduated from the Army’s Civil Affairs Generalist Course with a course completion of 99 percent.

In more recent years, he completed a Masters in Business Administration from St. Martins University and Masters Certification in Project Management from George Washington University School of Business.

Shamsid-Deen comes from a family of six generations who have served our country. He is the first in his family to become a commissioned officer and is proud of his military service. 

His 24-year-old son, Travias, has followed in his footsteps.  Following a tour in Iraq, he is now stationed in Germany and is continuing his studies toward a college degree. Shamsid-Deen is extremely proud of his son’s involvement in the military service, as he also served in Iraq in 1990-1991 and again in 1993.

“I’m not in it for gratitude, I am in it for the team work; to belong to something a lot bigger than myself, “Shamsid-Deen said. “Being in the service has enabled me to stay physically strong, mentally alert and tactically proficient and will hopefully allow me to live a longer life span.”

Shamsid-Deen said his new commitments will not affect his duties at the Department even though he may be called to return to Iraq in the future. Naturally he will be busier, but true to form he gladly accepts the challenge.

DOC Receives Positive Results from Job Recruiting Efforts

DOC’s recent recruitment campaign—which included bus signs, radio ads and an electronic billboard along I-5, and numerous traditional billboards—has drawn hundreds of job seekers to possible careers in corrections.

The media campaign, began January 15 and ended February 23

By the end of March, 265 men and 135 women had made inquiries to DOC Headquarters Human Resources Office about open DOC positions. Calls continue to come daily on the recruitment toll-free phone line, 1-888-727-9925.

Many others apply directly to the facilities that are hiring.  Direct applications to the Washington State Penitentiary and Monroe Correctional Complex have resulted in over 250 Correctional Officer interviews and 72 new Correctional Officers hired in the first quarter of 2007.

The Department of Corrections will be hiring 450 additional staff members for a number of positions at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell by December 2008. The prison is expanding from a 600-bed minimum security facility to a 2,392-bed prison.

The current DOC work force stands at 8,126 people and is expected to grow to more than 9,100 people by mid-2009. DOC must replace about 900 employees who leave the agency each year.

Skills Training - Penitentiary Carpentry Class

Trees, branches and even wood pallets have been turned into beautiful and useful items by inmates in the Washington State Penitentiary’s (WSP) carpentry class.

For the past 20 years the Walla Walla Community College has provided a carpentry program for inmates in WSP’s Minimum Security Unit.

Offenders enrolled in the class are taught the cabinetry skills and have built many staff work stations as projects. 

“As the students work on projects, you can see and feel the pride they have in what they are doing,” Instructor Jeff Biddiscombe said.

Offenders use woods such as burl, purple heart, sycamore, and elm. Most of the wood is found on the prison property.  Biddiscombe explains that many kinds of wood can be made into something useful and beautiful.

Carpentry skills training includes general construction projects on the Penitentiary grounds such as work on the greenhouse, pole buildings, framing, sheetrock, insulation and concrete work. 

Offenders have created fun carpentry projects such as a jelly cupboard, cabinets and a table.  Some personal projects include items like a Noah’s Ark, complete with animals.

Those who graduate from the program have the opportunity to receive a local and state certificate.  Biddiscombe says each graduate could be hired immediately in the community because of the skills he has acquired in the program.

Approximately 14 offenders graduate from the carpentry program a year.

Vocational training programs will be expanded under DOC’s Re-entry Initiative, which is intended to make the public safer by reducing offender recidivism. Lack of education and job skills are among the factors that can lead to criminal behavior.

The Re-entry Initiative budget includes funding employment opportunity centers that would provide additional employment-related assistance to offenders after their release from confinement.