the southern concourse - ssca fall... · raine rea, and uck rogers. many items were discussed but...

2 Spotlight on Restrictive Housing

Page 16 Mid-Winter Conference

F a l l 2 0 1 6

The Southern Concourse

Cover Page Photo: Red Onion State Prison, Pound, VA

The Southern Concourse, Fall 2016—1

W. P.“ Buck” Rogers, President

Retired

2490 Judes Ferry Road

Powhatan, VA 23139

(804) 598-2580

[email protected]

Carol Gilcrease, President-Elect

Louisiana Department of Corrections

PO Box 204

Angola, LA 70712

(225) 655-2299

[email protected]

Kevin Murphy, First Vice President

Arkansas Community Corrections

105 West Capitol Avenue

Little Rock, AR 72201

[email protected]

(501) 683-5793

Tom McElhenney, Second Vice President

Georgia Department of Corrections

848 Church Street

Eatonton, GA 31024

[email protected]

Abby McIntire, Secretary

Kentucky Department of Corrections

3375 Spurr Road

Lexington, KY40511

(859)550-3800

[email protected]

Cookie Crews, Executive Secretary


P. O. Box 928

Crestwood, KY 40014

(502) 241-4787

[email protected]

SSCA OFFICERS

Lorraine Rea, Immediate Past President

Tennessee Department of Corrections

6th Floor Rachel Jackson Building

320 Sixth Ave North

Nashville, TN 37243

(615) 253-8150

[email protected]

Stuart Holt, Executive Treasurer

Retired

200 Pinnacle Court

Macon, GA 31216

(478) 714-6706

[email protected]

2—The Southern Concourse, Fall 2016

KENTUCKY

DeEdra Hart (19)


PO Box 9300

Central City, KY 42330

(270) 754-5415

[email protected]

OKLAHOMA

Kent Peck (18)

Oklahoma Department of Corrections

3400 Martin Luther King Ave.

Oklahoma City, OK73111

(405) 425-2199

[email protected]

SOUTH CAROLINA

George Dodkin (17)

South Carolina Department of Corrections

PO Box 580

Una, SC 29378

(864) 594-4915

[email protected]

FLORIDA

Position vacant

MISSISSIPPI

Kevin Jackson (18)

Mississippi Department of Corrections

633 N. State St.

Jackson, MS 39202

(601)359-5701

NORTH CAROLINA

Position vacant

LOUISIANA

Tony Simon (18)

Louisiana Department of Corrections

10115 Frontage Street

St. James, LA 70086

(225) 474-2035

[email protected]

SSCA STATE REPRESENTATIVES ALABAMA

Mark Bruton (19)

Alabama Department of Corrections

6456 Eastwood Glen Drive

Montgomery, AL 36117

(334) 353-9727

[email protected]

ARKANSAS

Shelly Jones (18)

Arkansas Department of Corrections

2403 E. Harding

Pine Bluff, AR 71601

(870) 850-8526

[email protected]

GEORGIA

Position Vacant


The SSCA State Representatives are elected by members of each state to be their spokesperson to the SSCA Executive Board. Please direct any questions or suggestions you may have regarding your chapter to the representative of your state.

WEST VIRGINIA

Position vacant

VIRGINIA

Lois Fegan (18)

Virginia Department of Corrections

PO Box 26963

Richmond, VA 23261

(804)837-1028

[email protected]

SSCA STATE REPRESENTATIVES TENNESSEE

Adrienne Pruitt (19)

Tennessee Department of Corrections

2nd Floor—Rachel Jackson Building

320 6th Avenue North

Nashville, TN 37243

(615) 253-8056

[email protected]

TEXAS

Position vacant

Upcoming Events—Mark Your Calendars

February 16—18, 2017

Mid-Winter Meeting

Norfolk Waterside Marriott

235 E. Main Street

Norfolk, Virginia 23510

(757) 627-4200

July 16—19, 2017

Summer Conference


235 E. Main Street

Norfolk, Virginia 23510

(757) 627-4200

The Southern Concourse is the official publication of the Southern

States Correctional Association and is published quarterly

(September, November, February and May). Any material submitted

for publishing should reach the editor at least 30 days before the

month of publication. The editor reserves the right to edit, change or

decline any material submitted for publication.

Register online at www.virginiassca.org


The SSCA officers held the fall quarterly meeting in Richmond, Virginia, Septem-

ber 16-18, 2016. Those in attendance were Cookie Crews, Carol Gilcrease, Lor-

raine Rea, and Buck Rogers.

Many items were discussed but the most discussed were SOP 108-State Rep

Training Money. Please make yourself familiar with this SOP as it will be en-

forced tighter as the policy states. The key part was the producing of the docu-

mentation for the use of the funds. There was conversation about the states

with little or no members: Florida, Texas, North Carolina, & West Virginia.

Membership was the most important topic discussed with ideas of how to in-

crease interest and grow our numbers. My goal to increase membership by 20% during this year is very

attainable but we need the support of each and every member to get on board and sign up a friend. There

were 1,056 members when our year began.

My goal is adding 211 new members by July, 2017 for a total of

1,267. Let's get going!! Help your state rep reach your

goal. Your progress will be published in the Winter Con-

course. Be proud of it!!

Our Virginia committees are working hard to give you great

training conferences in February and July 2017! I truly believe

you will really like the sessions planned and have some great

memories in Norfolk, Virginia. This has been a great learning

experience for us a team but we are progressing and learning

very fast. Norfolk is a great venue and has many great experi-

ences within walking distances of the hotel.

Let's get going and sign up NEW members and work hard to

keep present members and help me, help you, help us! See you

in Norfolk!

July November

Alabama 10 30

Arkansas 355 409

Florida 12 0

Georgia 35 30

Kentucky 29 46

Louisiana 83 78

Mississippi 42 37

North Carolina 2 2

Oklahoma 27 17

South Carolina 23 21

Tennessee 184 150

Texas 8 5

Virginia 185 145

West Virginia 61 5

Total 1056 975


Tribute to P.C. Shields

“A Tall Tree Has Fallen”

A Tall Tree has indeed Fallen. That was one of the many comments made among members of SSCA’s Backrow when we learned of the passing of our dear friend and mentor, P.C. Shields. It is unfortunate that so many of our current members did not have the privilege of knowing Mr. Shields. Without him, there very well might have been a South-ern States Correctional Association.

Prior to 1969 two organizations existed, the Southern States Probation and Parole Conference and the Southern States Prison Association. Because of the overlapping of duties, many members of one of the associations were friends with members of the other association. The idea to combine the two into one cohesive organization was proposed. As you can imagine, there were very strong feelings both for and against. P.C. was a driving force to com-bine the two and now some four plus decades later, we remain the strongest Regional Correctional Association in the country because of his and his colleagues efforts.

His love of SSCA did not stop with its inception. Year after year he remained active, guided and encouraged each and every member who had any leadership role in the organization as well as any member who sought his counsel. In his honor, the SSCA Member Award was renamed, the P.C. Shields Member Service Award. Each award recipient has exemplified the same love and dedication to SSCA that the Award’s namesake has shown.

Born in July 1017 in his beloved Virginia, P.C. taught high school after graduation. In 1941 he volunteered for the Army serving during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Following the War he joined the Army Reserve where he retired in 1977.

In June 1946 P.C. was appointed a probation/parole officer. In July 1950 he was appointed executive secretary of the Board where he served until 1962. He was then appointed to the Vir-ginia Parole Board and served the Board for more than 20 years with the last 10 years as Chairman. He was appoint-ed by both Democratic and Republican Governors. On retirement from the Board in 1982, he accepted the position of chief lobbyist for the Virginia Governmental Employee Association. Upon his retirement from the VGEA, he was recognized by the General Assembly of Virginia in their joint resolution for his service to the state of Virginia.

P.C. and his wife, Hazel, attended our conferences faithfully, until failing health prevented it. He was always in the middle of a group in his seersucker suit, recanting stories of days gone by and hopes for our future. He was so look-ing forward to attending this year’s conference in his beloved home state, I’m not so sure he won’t be there. A true Southern Gentleman, slight in statue, but casting a very large shadow, he will be missed by all who knew him.

-Cathy Mansell, SSCA Past President


Wishing you and your family a wonderful

Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

From your

SSCA Officers

JOYJOYJOY

HOPEHOPEHOPE

PEACEPEACEPEACE


DeEdra is a 20 year veteran of the Kentucky

Department of Corrections. Her career began

as a Correctional Officer in 1995 at Western

Correctional Complex. She quickly began to

move up the ranks as Classification and Treatment Officer,

Unit Administrator ,Offender Information supervisor and

Deputy Warden. She worked for two years in the communi-

ty as a Probation and Parole Officer in Owensboro, Ken-

tucky.

Dee is currently a Warden at Green River Correctional Com-

plex in Central City, Kentucky. She holds a bachelor’s degree

from Murray State University. She was the recipient of the

2004 Commissioner’s Achievement award and a graduate

of the Commissioner’s Executive Leadership Program.

DeEdra Hart—Kentucky

State Representative Spotlight


Call For Candidates

State Representative

The Following States Have Representatives with Terms Expiring or

Have Expired in 2017: South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Flori-

da, Georgia, North Carolina

Each member state shall select one of its regular members to serve as State Representative on the

Executive Board. The term of the elected State Representative shall be three years. Candidate appli-

cations shall be received by the Nominating Committee, screened for eligibility by established crite-

ria, and provided for vote to be selected buy a caucus of the appropriate state’s regular members. A

regular member is any person employed in or honorably retired from any area of the criminal justice

system within the borders of the member’s state. Only regular members are eligible to vote, hold

office in, or be a representative of the Association.

To be eligible for State representative you must have:

1) At least two (2) years of continuous active regular membership in SSCA

2) Time available to devote to the Association’s business

3) A willingness to work towards the expansion of SSCA

4) Demonstrated knowledge of and working involvement in the Association; ie

serving on committees, participating in the program, pursuing additional members, developing arti-

cles for the Southern Concourse.

To apply for State Representative you must submit the following to the chairman of the SSCA Nomi-

nating Committee:

1) A cover letter indication your intent to be considered, an affirmation/explanation that you meet

the eligibility criteria, and why you are seeking the post;

2) A current resume/Vita;

3) Letters (one each) of support from your agency/department administrator and your immediate

supervisor.


Call For Candidates

SSCA Secretary Each year an individual is selected to serve as Secretary for SSCA. The Secre-

tary is a member of the Executive Board and is responsible for recording the

minutes of the Association and Bard meetings. The Secretary must be able

to attend all meetings and have the commitment required to perform the

duties and responsibility of their position.

Persons interested in applying for these positions should send the required

information to: Ray Hobbs at [email protected]

Visit www.sscaweb.org and click on

“Constitution/By Laws/SOP” to read more

about SSCA Executive Board positions and

duties.


Arkansas

Lyndon Allen

Tyrone Allison

Tamora Baker

Kristie Breckenridge

Yolanda Clark

Sharon Culclager

April Davis

LeMarcus Davis

James Earnesty

Terri Grigsby

Alfonzo Hill

Tammy Hurst

Takelia McDaniel

Latosha Mingo

William Moore

Joanna Singleton

Genia Walker

Warren Walker

Stacy White

Kentucky

Ashley French

Kimberly Huddleston

Sharon Johnson

Beth Moore

Rodney Moore

Darrell Wheeler

Mississippi

Corrie Cockrell

North Carolina

Rosalyn Lloyd

Tennessee

Christopher Eaton

Daniel Goehring

Maria Schuh

Virginia

Martin Bryant

Ivan Gilmore

Tracey Jenkins

Ellen Katzman

Donna Lawrence

Stephen Layne

Ian Rachal

Cynthia Smith

Erma Banes Torrance

N E W M E M B E R SN E W M E M B E R SN E W M E M B E R S


the form of an Administrative

Step-Down Program. The Ad-

ministrative Step-Down Pro-

gram, applied within two of

Virginia’s highest security level

institutions -Wallens Ridge

and Red Onion State Prisons -

is a result of how principled

values paired with the respon-

sibility of improving public

safety can reform the use of

Administrative Segregation.

“When Harold Clarke ar-

rived as our Director in 2010,

he introduced a whole initia-

tive to us to really refocus

from short-term public safety,

which is incarcerating people

and having them on probation

and supervision, to really fo-

cusing our efforts on creating

long-term public safety,” said

Scott Richeson, VADOC Deputy

Director of Re-Entry and Pro-

grams. The shift in progressive

leadership and ideology pro-

moted the necessity to reduce

the number of offenders in

long term restrictive housing,

also known as Administrative

Segregation, and address the

F or the employees of

the Virginia Depart-

ment of Corrections

(VADOC), an agency mission is

simply not words spoken off

the tongue; it is a purpose and

driving force for all individuals

who contribute daily towards

the charge of lasting public

safety. “We enhance the quali-

ty of life in the Commonwealth

by improving public safety. We

accomplish this through reinte-

gration of sentenced men and

women in our custody and care

by providing supervision and

control, effective programs and

re-entry services in safe envi-

ronments which foster positive

change and growth consistent

with research-based evidence,

fiscal responsibility, and consti-

tutional standards.” In order to

successfully carry out this mis-

sion, the VADOC spearheaded

an organizational shift by man-

aging the initial risk within the

institutional setting to acceler-

ate reentry skill-building and

ensure that those returning to

the community would have the

tools they need for success in

From Short Term—to Lasting Public Safety Virginia Department of Corrections Proves Reformative Strides

through the Administrative Step -Down Program

By Tori Raiford—VADOC Restrictive Housing Coordinator

annual release of around 60

offenders directly from restric-

tive housing to the community.

“I thought there was something

wrong with that picture. That

had to change. Those offenders

are deemed to be very danger-

ous. So therefore, every place

they went in the facility, they

were either escorted by one or

two individuals in restraints.

But then to release them into

the community with no re-

straints whatsoever and no pro-

cess from moving from a higher

security to a lower, I found that

to be troubling and decided

that something had to be done,

” explained VADOC Director

Harold Clarke.

Typically, offenders are as-

signed to restrictive housing,

also called Level S, due to issues

such as assaultive and disrup-

tive behaviors, extensive escape

I found that to be

troubling and decided

that something had to

be done...


histories, or extremely violent

and notorious crimes. Before

the Administrative Segregation

Step-Down Program, VADOC’s

offenders were released direct-

ly from a fully restrained re-

strictive housing setting to the

community, often without re-

ceiving any cognitive behavioral

therapy. There was nothing in

place to give the offenders an

adjustment period so they

could have positive interactions

with others. “We realized that

we had a situation where a lot

of people had gone into segre-

gation but they really didn’t

have a pathway to get out”,

said Richeson. “We had a think

tank of folks that came up with

some ideas and decided to ap-

ply the science of Evidence

Based Practices (EBPs) to a high

security environment and cre-

ate a step-down path for peo-

ple to get out. EBPs in the field

of corrections are a collection

of practices proven to reduce

criminal behavior by focusing

on reducing the causes of crim-

inal behavior, in addition to tra-

ditional risk control.

To motivate offenders to

change, the department real-

ized it had to change offenders’

perception of authority in the

facility. One solution came in

the form of Treatment Officers.

This newly created position

holds the responsibility of as-

sisting prison counselors in

providing programming for

offenders. The Treatment

Officer retains full security du-

ties while escorting and super-

vising offenders with the added

role of programming. This posi-

tion increased the prison’s pro-

grammatic resources and creat-

ed an environment to show

offenders that uniformed staff

members were there to moti-

vate and support positive

change. In addition, all staff re-

ceived training on motivational

interviewing strategies, such as

asking open-ended questions

and using summarization to en-

courage offenders to examine

their own thinking.

To assist with the evolving cul-

ture needed for the Administra-

tive Step-Down Program imple-

mentation, the concept of

Learning Teams for staff devel-

oped within the institution as a

platform to discuss staff appli-

cation of communication strat-

egies. The Learning Teams are

small, intimate groups of staff

that are coached by internally

trained communications and

dialogue coaches. The content

of Learning Teams focuses on

improved interactions with

offenders and operation of the

facility. “The climate of the pris-

on is one of helping people

change and creating internal

motivation for people to be-

have rather than just external,

we versus them, explains Riche-

son. “We have the same goal

as the offender. We all want

them, and they should want

themselves to do better. That’s

the goal so I think it’s a much

better environment for staff.”

Once the organizational de-

velopment and culture changes

were underway at the prison,

implementation of the Adminis-

trative Segregation Step-Down

Program began. It starts with

Orientation where a pathway

decision is made by the Dual-

Treatment Team. Each offend-

er is assigned to a track of ei-

ther Intensive Management

(IM) or Special Management

(SM). The Dual-Treatment

Team is comprised of staff to

include the Chief of Housing

Offender sits in a “programming secure

chair” allowing for a more social pro-

gramming experience; Treatment Officer

stands watch.


and Programs, Institution Pro-

gram Manager, Unit Manager,

Investigator, a Qualified Men-

tal Health Professional, a

Counselor, and a Corrections

Officer, from both Wallens

Ridge State Prison and Red

Onion State Prison. The di-

verse position titles and roles

allow for and encompassing

discussion on diverse aspects

pertaining to each individual

offender.

The Intensive Management

track is for offenders who dur-

ing incarceration have demon-

strated the potential for ex-

treme and deadly violence

against staff or other offend-

ers and whose intent for such

violence may remain, despite

a pattern of compliance.

Offenders in this group may

have serious escape histories

or have extremely heinous or

notorious criminal offenses.

Offenders in the IM track will

receive programming and

earn privileges but may never

progress out of restrictive

housing due to the risk they

pose. Some IM offenders may

progress to a step-down pod

in Security Level 6, which is

highly controlled but provides

for additional privileges. The

vision of Security Level 6 is to

serve as a proving ground for

offenders, allowing for a lack of re-

straints for the first time since

placement in restrictive housing.

The Special Management track is

for offenders who are assigned to

restrictive housing due to violent

acts. However, their repeated dis-

ruptive behaviors, assaults and

fights were without the intent to

kill. SM is also designed for offend-

ers who intentionally commit disci-

plinary violations to remain in seg-

regation due to fear of general

population. Offenders in the SM

track may progress further in the

step-down process and ultimately

return to a general population at a

lower security level.

Upon progression to a Security

Level 6 status, alternate solutions

are developed for those offenders

exhibiting characteristics such as

being easily bullied and manipulat-

ed by other offenders; those who

are developmentally disabled,

young or with mild mental health

issues; and those who have a

pattern of intentionally committing

numerous minor disciplinary

violations to ensure they are

retained in restrictive hous-

ing rather than returned to

general population. The Se-

cure Allied Management

(SAM) pod and Secure Inte-

grated Pod (SIP) have been

developed to be responsive

to these offenders’ needs

and abilities to develop pro-

social skills at a slower pace,

often requiring smaller group

settings.

Security enhancements

such as therapeutic modules

and programming chairs are

used during the delivery of

cognitive-based interactive

journaling. The program uses

the Challenge Series® creat-

ed by The Change Compa-

nies®. Programming is deliv-

ered in different phases, al-

lowing staff to observe

offender progress as privileg-

es and responsibilities are

incrementally increased in

each phase.

Since the application of the

Administrative Segregation

Step-Down Program, the

number of offenders in Ad-

ministrative Segregation at

Red Onion State Prison has

drastically reduced from the


511 that held that status in

2011. At the time this article

was submitted, 174 restrictive

housing offenders were housed

at Wallens Ridge and Red On-

ion. More than 350 offenders

who were once in restrictive

housing have successfully

moved into a Level 6 or Level 5

general population setting

through the program. From cal-

endar year 2011 through 2015,

there was a 71percent reduc-

tion in offender formal griev-

ances and a 76percent reduc-

tion in informal complaints at

Red Onion State Prison. To

date, only 20 offenders who

have completed the Adminis-

trative Segregation Step-Down

Program have returned to a re-

strictive housing status from a

Security Level 5 population

setting due to disciplinary is-

sues.

As a result of the creativity,

uniqueness and effectiveness of

the Administrative Step- Down

Program, several other correc-

tional agencies have contacted

the Virginia Department of Cor-

rections seeking to replicate the

program. Since 2012, Red On-

ion State Prison has hosted

tours for multiple agencies in-

cluding the Vera Institute of

Justice and state correctional

departments from North Carolina,

South Carolina, South Dakota, New

York, Maine, Kentucky, Tennessee

and Georgia.

In 2013, VADOC received the State

Transformation and Action Recogni-

tion (STAR) Award from the South-

ern Legislative Conference, provid-

ing national recognition for Virgin-

ia’s diligent work toward reducing

Administrative Segregation. In addi-

tion, in the January 2016 Report and

Recommendations Concerning the

Use of Restrictive Housing, the Unit-

ed States Justice Department noted

the restrictive housing efforts being

made in Virginia by highlighting

effective strategies for success in

reducing the Administrative Segre-

gation population.

Building on the success of the Ad-

ministrative Segregation Step-Down

Program, VADOC is currently apply-

ing aspects of the program toward

reducing restrictive housing at low-

er security level prisons statewide.

Enhanced restrictive housing opera-

tions include increased availability

for group programming services,

increased recreational exercise, and

behavioral goals established for pro-

gression to allow for successful tran-

sition back into a general population

setting. “We have to keep on trying

to be better,” proclaims Director

Clarke. “As we become better, we

are creating second chances

for human beings, the

offenders. As we become

better, we are creating good

beginnings and new begin-

nings for the children of

those offenders who find

themselves in that quagmire

of crime and punish-

ment. We know that those

kids are the ones that are at

risk. We have an opportuni-

ty to break that cycle.”

For more information about

Virginia’s Restrictive Hous-

ing Program, please contact

[email protected].

gov


SSCA Mid-Winter Conference

Norfolk, VA

Visit www.virginiassca.org to register

online, view the tentative agenda and

research your travel options!

February

16-18, 2017



Mid-Winter Meeting

Thursday 2/16/2017 – Saturday 2/18/2017 Tentative Agenda

Date Time Activity Thursday, 2/16/17 3:00pm – 7:00pm Registration

Grab-n-Go Food Provided

8:00pm – Midnight Hospitality

Friday, 2/17/17 7:30am – 9:00am Breakfast Provided

8:00am – 11:30am Registration

9:00am – 9:45am State Rep and Committee Chair Meeting

10:00am – 10:45am Committee Meetings (to be scheduled)


Noon – 1:30pm Lunch & Presentation

1:45pm – 2:30pm Committee Meetings (to be scheduled)

3:00pm – 4:00pm Executive Officers Meeting

3:00pm - SSCA Outings & Dinner on your own

8:00pm – Midnight Hospitality

Saturday, 2/18/17 9:00am – 10:30am Breakfast Provided & Dialogue Session


11:45am – 1:00pm Lunch & General Business Meeting

Closing


Annual Summer Training Conference Preview

Norfolk, VA

What can you expect when you travel to

Norfolk in July?

Leadership and Training workshops focusing

on the critical challenges facing the field of

Corrections.

Dinner Cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk

Louisiana Night!

Trips to Virginia Beach

Networking with vendors and corrections profes-

sionals from across the country.

July

16-19,

2017

Visit www.virgigniassca.org for all of your SSCA conference needs.

Navigating the Future!Navigating the Future!


Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Law Enforcement

Dispatchers and 911 Call Center Operators

By Jillian E. Peek & Ronald R. Mellen, Ph.D. - Jacksonville State University

Introduction

Exceptional levels of stress can create changes in brain functioning. Such changes can result in what is

clinically known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The diagnosis of PTSD has been found prevalent in

specific groups including Departments of Correction, law enforcement, and the military. PTSD is a complex

disorder with a wide range of symptoms including the persistent recalling a stressful event, intrusive flash-

backs, recurring dreams related to the event, the tendency to avoid similar circumstances, inability to recall

aspects of the event, difficulty falling asleep, irritability, outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, hyper-

vigilance and exaggerated startle response.

These symptoms are collapsed into four major categories in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V. It states a person must experience at least one of the following: *reliving experiences of the traumatic event, such as having distressing images and memories. *having upsetting dreams about the traumatic event. *Experiencing flashbacks as if one were experiencing the traumatic event again. *Experiencing ongoing or severe emotional distress and/or physical symptoms when something reminds one of the traumatic events.

Stress Related Issues

The present study addressed the question: Can law enforcement dispatchers and 911 operators also be vulnerable to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? That is can indirect exposure to difficult situations contrib-ute to a dispatcher being diagnosed with PTSD? Examples are many and include where the dispatcher is working with a caller who is at risk of being harmed by another person or where the threat is self-harm. A second point of concern was the availability of post-incident counseling services for dispatchers and opera-tors. To answer these and other questions a survey was administered to 499 former and current dispatchers and 911 operators.

Findings

The first finding, as anticipated, was that a majority, about seven of ten participants experienced at least one symptom of PTSD after such work related calls. A second finding was unexpected. The initial assumption was that stress levels would lead to excep-tionally high job turnover rates. Results found three out of four respondents had 15 or more years of experi-ence as dispatchers and many were still working at their original places of employment.


A third area of interest was related to the available of counseling services for the dispatchers after a critical incident occurred. About seven of ten operators reported that counseling services were available. That was a positive and a surprisingly high number.

A follow-up issue was the frequency with which operators utilized counseling services. Again results were unexpected. Responses suggested about one in four operators had sought counseling after an excep-tionally difficult call. Further research is needed to understand why counseling services were not requested. One possible answer is, that like correctional and law enforcement officers, under these circumstances they may compartmentalize their thinking and simply "tough it out". Future research may look at the possibility of a numbing (low cortical activity) in the brain's empathy centers which can occur secondary to multiple ex-posures.

Of the total number of subjects in the present study, about seven in ten reported having experienced at least one work related PTSD symptom. About 17% reported having experienced two PTSD symptoms while up to one in five reported having experienced four types of symptoms.

Types of Critical Calls Received

Ninety-nine percent of study participants reported having taken a call concerning the death or seri-ous injury of a child or an adult while ninety-three percent reported having taken a call from a suicidal per-son. A little less than half reported having taken a call concerning a shooting which involved an officer or other first responder.

When participants were asked to describe the call they considered to be the worst ever experienced about one in four identified calls concerning the death or serious injury of a child. These calls included homi-cides, traffic accidents, drownings, fire-related deaths and injuries, neglect and abuse, as well as other vari-ous types of accidents.

About one in four participants who listed the category of “death or serious injury of an adult” refer-enced a call that involved an adult in homicide, traffic accidents, domestic calls, overdoses, fire-related deaths and injuries, or other types of accidents.

The next most commonly reported "worst" call category related to suicide. These included both suc-cessful and unsuccessful suicide attempts that occurred while talking to the 911 operator. Also third-party calls were difficult especially when the caller was a parent or other family member who had found their son or daughter after a successful suicide.

Calls relating the death or serious injury of an officer or first responder were sometimes listed as the most stressful. These included on-duty or off-duty police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and firefighters who were injured or had died while responding to a situation. Reported deaths also included heart attacks, sui-cide, fatal shootings, and traffic accidents.

Summary

Some of the above findings reveal the magnitude of emotions that these operators and dispatchers

must deal with. It was also noted that unexpected related to issues of the availability and utilization of post-incident counseling services by workers.

The above data reveals the high degree of commitment of call centers to support their operators and dispatchers as they work with the wide-reaching effects of traumatic calls, even in these indirect situations. Beyond the call centers it is important for the general public to understand the emotional issues facing dis-patchers and operators.


Virginia's Food Operations Mobilization Unit

By Mark Engeleke, Virginia Department of Corrections—Food Service Manager

The Food Operations Mobilization Unit (FOMU) is a specialized program with in the Virginia Department of

Correction (VADOC) that provides suitable storage, preparation, cooking and serving of meals to staff and

offenders when food facilities are not available in times of emergencies. Created in January 2008, to address

the need for quality food service during facility kitchen renovations, emergency feeding within a facility, feed-

ing at remote sites during emergency operations (e.g. search, rescues), off site state training, natural disas-

ters or approved charitable events within the community.

Prior to the FOMU, there was no planned or coordinated operations or resources to mobilize and accommo-

date the food service needs of hundreds or sometimes thousands of individuals. With the mobilization trail-

ers, the Virginia Department of Corrections now has the self-sustained necessary and vital components to

provide meal preparation, feeding, sanitation and power via generators, fuel and water. The FOMU has

trained qualified personnel to address the aspects of logistics, mobilization, deployment, and trailer set-up.

The FOMU members are all volunteer Food Service staff members from across the state. The FOMU utilizes

self-contained trailers with an array of Food Service (FS) equipment and utensils. The equipment within the

trailers is refurbished by our FS Refurbishing Center. All preventative maintenance and repairs are also per-

formed by offender labor at our FS Refurbishing Center. The program operational cost is funded through the

annual food service budget or the requesting agency’s budget.


Some activities the FOMU team has participated in:

Strike Force Trainings

Natural Disaster Emergencies

Department Emergency Drills

Facility Fires

Escapes

Department Employee Events

State Police Cooperative Events

Secretary of Public Safety planned events

Community Service Functions

The program has been exceedingly

helpful and cost effective in as-

sisting with emergencies within the

community and facilities, facility renovations, offsite training and community events. The program has creat-

ed cost avoidance in eliminating contractual resources required to provide meals, water, electrical power

and fuel. The average cost of a vendor supplied trailer is about $30,000 a month and a setup/breakdown

cost of approximately $50,000. In the last three mobilizations alone, we have avoided costs of almost

$700,000.00 (on an average 6 month usage). In addition to cost avoidance, the team is able to deploy neces-

sary trailers within hours after notification to sites all over the state, ensuring no interruption to food service

and maintenance of sanitation, safety and quality standards. This program is transferable to other states.

The major obstacle will be initial funding of the mobile units to provide food service

The military has used mobile food operations trailers for their emergency and combat forces. I am not aware

of any programs in other states correctional programs like ours.

In the past three years we have implemented a training program and drills to ensure faster response for the

Food Operations Mobilization Unit. We have also built new trailers to ensure response in any emergency or

Food Operations Area shutdown.

For more information about VADOC’s FOMU please contact Mark Engeleke at

[email protected].


SSCA Committee Assignments

FROM SSCA BY-LAWS

SECTION XIV: COMMITTEES

Unless otherwise provided for in the

Constitution and/or By-Laws, committees

and their chairperson, standing or special

(ad hoc), shall be appointed by the Presi-

dent as deemed necessary to carry on the

business/work of the Association. All

committees shall be made up of regular

members in good standing. The actions

of all committees are subject to review

and approval by the Executive Board. The

Chairperson and members of each com-

mittee shall serve until their successors

are appointed; however, any Chairperson

or member may be replaced at anytime by

the President.

Host Committee Chair: Karen Stapleton, VA

Amanda McKearin, VA Amanda Mullins, VA Beverly Ragland, VA

Bill Stapleton, VA Carrol Perdue, VA Cheryl Parrish, VA

Chris Allen, VA Cindy Dunning, TN

Dana Ratliffe-Walker, VA Dawn Kriigel, VA Jennifer Bray, VA

Jennifer Hanshew, VA John Cox, LA

Kathy Fisher, VA Kimberly Carroll, TN

Laura Ramler, VA Lisa Wassum, VA Loretta Kelly, VA Maria Pryor, VA

Mark Engelke, VA Nikki Potts, TN

Norma Johnson, TN Patricia Barnes-Goodwyn, VA

Tammy Brown, VA Tanya Smith-Edmond, TN

Win Sisson, VA

Research and Grants Chair: Tiffany Compton, AR

Barbara Buenaga, VA Betsy Hormel, OK

Cathy Dueweke, VA Jeena Porterfield, VA

Kathy Jones MS Margie Holcomb, VA

Tim Newton, VA Tracy Jenkins, VA

Line Staff of the Year

Chair: Tammy Brown, VA Ann Marks, LA

Anthony Parker, VA Barry Ragland, VA

Dana Tyler, AR Joe Meko, KY Kim Knoll, AR

Lila Brooks, LA

Catastrophic Weather Fund Chair: Renee DeLouche, LA

Ann Marks, LA Brenda Reed, VA

Cheryl Goodwin, VA Duana Cambre, LA

Linda Hill, AR Linda Minor, MS

Lisa Hall, AR Richard Caston, MS Robert Caston, MS

Roland Sylvester, LA Tayla Morris, MS

Program Chair: Jeena Porterfield, VA

Amanda Bacus, AR Crystal Duffy, OK Daryl Cambell, LA

Ginette Geraldi, VA Kristen Tims, OK

Larry Cyr, AR Larry Edmonds, VA Linda Coffman, AR Lisa Hernandez, VA

Luke Black, VA Mark Lawhorn, VA Martha Wright, VA Michelle Ford, VA

Nick Bradley, AR Renee Watkins, OK Rita Cooksey, OK Robert Hert, OK

Sara Carmena, LA Stephanie Lamarniere, LA

Vanessa Crawford, VA

Vendors Chair: Joanne Bryant, VA

Carrie Williams, AR Cleatrice McTorry, TN Deana Daughtery, TN

Health Soileau, LA J. D. Colbert,OK

Jada Lawrence, AR Kent Peck, OK

Linda Joyner, VA Linda Minor, MS

Melissa Gibbons, AR Stacy Lenderman, AR

Tayla Morris, MS Tony Turpin, GA

Nominating Committee Chair: Ray Hobbs, AR

Beverly Wade, GA Cathy Mansell, MS Cookie Crews, KY Gene Johnson, VA

Long Range Planning Chair: Kevin Murphy, AR

Abby McIntire, KY Beverly Wade GA Kathy Jones, MS Lois Fegan,. VA

Mitzi Kellum, GA Shelia Sharpe, AR

Stuart Holt, GA Tom McElhenney, GA

David H. Williams Chair: Kevin Murphy AR

Anglina Williams MS Cookie Crews KY

Ed Evans OK Lois Fegan, VA

COMMITTEES on next page


Time and Place Chair: Kevin Murphy, AR

George Dodson, SC Kim Knoll, AR

Lisa Dowdy, VA Steve Lenderman, AR

Toni Bradley, AR Tony Simon, LA

P.C. Shields Chair: Roy Agee, AR

David Parker, OK Elliott Berrios, LA

Larry Edmonds, VA Neil Jones, MS

Membership Chair: Kevin Murphy Amber Phillips, VA April Hartley, TN

Cookie Crews Ad Hoc Ginette Geraldi, VA Leslie Wilwerth, VA

Pete Fremon, LA Tammy Brown, VA

All State Reps

Kenneth Law Scholarship Chair: Lorraine Rae, TN

Angela Williams, MS Candace Whisman, TN

Jeff Dillman, VA Maria Pryor, VA

Constitutions & Bylaws Chair: Wayne Dunn, KY

Carol Gilcrease, LA Cile Crowder, TN

Joyce Carmicheal, TN Lois Fegan, VA

Lorraine Rae, TN Sabrina Lawson, MS Sonia Wallace, AR

Concourse

Chair: Cookie Crews Amanda Dees

Angela Williams, MS Dixie Criddle, MS Jennifer Bray, VA

Jim Brown, TN Lois Fegan, VA

Pat Sanders, MS Patrice Adams, MS Teresa Sterling, LA

Resolution Chair: Lisa Wassum, VA

Amber Phillips, TN Becky Guffy, OK

Jo Washington, MS Lisa Jackson, VA

Pamela Wilson, MS Shelly Lawrence, AR Tracey Lawrence, AR

Finance Chair: Linda Joyner, VA

Cookie Crews, KY James Sweatt, KY Jennifer Mock, LA Joanne Bryant, VA Kevin Murphy, AR Lisa Edwards, VA

Mike Carraway, AR Randall Williams, LA

Tom McElhenney, GA Tony Simon, LA

COMMITTEES from previous page

Fall Officers Meeting

September 19, 2016

Richmond, VA


SSCA Catastrophic Weather Fund A silent auction is held at every July SSCA conference to support the Catastrophic Weather Fund, please bring any items you wish to donate to the auction with you to the summer conference, or contact Cookie Crews, Executive Sec-retary, for shipping information. Also, be reminded that the fund is in place to provide needed assistance to SSCA members who have maintained their SSCA Membership for a minimum of one (1) year, and have sustained a recent loss due to a catastrophic weather event.

A catastrophic weather event is defined as a hurricane, tornado or flood that has been labeled as such by the National Weather Service. Once a catastrophic event has been declared by the National Weather Service, members of SSCA may apply, in writing, to their State Representative for assistance. The State Representative will then forward the request, with an attached explanation of the nature and circumstances of the loss, to the Chairperson of the Catastrophic Weather Fund Committee. The committee will consider requests on a “first come first served basis,” until the fund is depleted. The State Representatives’ names and contact information are found in the Concourse, or on our website at www.sscaweb.org.

SSCA CONSTITUTON & BY-LAWS Call for Revisions

In accordance with requirements of the SSCA Constitution and By-Laws, and as directed by the Associa-tion’s Executive Board, the Constitution & By-Laws Committee is soliciting your suggestions and modifi-cations to the Constitution, By-Laws, and Standard Operating Procedures. This is “Your” association, any suggestions or recommendations for change will be welcome and considered by the committee. Submis-sions must be received by January 1, 2017 to be considered. Submit written recommendations to:

Wayne Dunn, Chair

204 Duntreath

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

SOUTHERN CONCOURSE ARTICLES

In accordance with requirements of the SSCA Constitution and By-Laws, and as directed by the Associa-tion's Executive Board, the Concourse Committee is soliciting your articles for publication in the Southern Concourse. Per SOP-108, Duties and Responsibilities: # 4, it is the duty of the State Representatives to secure articles and advertisements for the Southern Concourse, however articles may be submitted by any SSCA member. Your participation would be appreciated.


SOUTHERN STATES CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION

LINE STAFF OF THE YEAR AWARD

The purpose of the SSCA Line Staff Award is to recognize four individuals from within the membership who exemplify career professionalism. Through this award SSCA clear-

ly appreciates and recognizes the important role these staff play in the success of the correctional process and the service these individuals provide.

Completed form must be sent to your state representative and must be

received by April 1, 2017

NOMINEE ___________________________________________________

Print name as it should appear on the award

Award Category Probation/Parole ___ Correctional Officer ___ Corrections Support___

(Check only one) Officer ____ Juvenile Residential ___ Service Person _____

Youth Worker ____ Worker ___ Humanitarian _____

Job title: ______________________________________ Telephone #______________

Work Address: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Nominator’s Name ___________________________________ Telephone # _____________

Please Print

Nominator’s Signature ________________________________ Date____________________

Please limit your typewritten comments to two pages. Comments must include: Why should this individual be selected? Comments should

address professionalism, job knowledge, performance, personal characteristics, leadership, innovation/creativity and accomplishments.

Criteria:

Candidate:

1. Must be employed on a full-time paid basis as a non-supervisory Probation/Parole Officer, Correctional Officer or Corrections Support Ser-

vice Person (or an equivalent job function). The exception is any full-time employee is eligible for the Humanitarian of the Year. Part-time,

consultants, and interns are excluded from consideration, as are self-nominations. Nominee will be considered in one category only.

2. Employing agency may be Federal, State, County, City or Private Sector entity.

3. Candidate must be employed in one of the 14 SSCA member states.

4. Membership in SSCA is not a prerequisite for consideration.

Nominator:

1. Nominator must be a current Southern States Correctional Association Member.

2. Must submit a completed and signed nomination form to the Nominee’s State Representative.

3. Form must be received by the appropriate State Representative prior to April 1, 2017.


SOUTHERN STATES CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION P.C. SHIELDS MEMBER RECOGNITION

CALL FOR NOMINEES

The P.C. Shields Member Recognition Award was named in honor of SSCA’s oldest and most loyal member. The award was established to recog-

nize annually, at the summer training conference, a member who has made significant contributions to the Southern States Correctional Associ-

ation, furthering its professional purpose, philosophy and recognition as a professional association.

A committee receives nominations and selects the recipient. Any member in good standing may submit a nomination. Completed applications

must be received by April 1, 2017. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

The Award recipient will be recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet in July. In addition, the recipient will receive transportation to the confer-

ence, conference registration, hotel room for three nights, and any meals during the conference not covered by the conference registration.

The nomination letter should include the nominee’s name, state, and reasons for nominating the individual. Please be as specific as possible

with your comments, which should address the contributions your nominee has made to SSCA. Our Association has many members who are

worthy of this recognition. Please take the time to nominate a deserving member.

Criteria:

1. Nominee must have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of five years.

2. Nominee must not be on the current Executive Board.

3. Nominee must not be a past-president.

4. Nominee must not be a past recipient of the David H. Williams Award.

NOMINEE _____________________________________ State __________

Please print name as it should appear on the Award

The above member should receive the P.C. Shield Membership Recognition Award for the reasons stated on the attached sheet.

Nominator’s Name __________________________________ Telephone # _____________

Work Address _______________________________________________________________

Nominator’s Signature ________________________________ Date____________________

Applications should be sent to: Roy Agee

6803 Oxford Dr.

Pine Bluff, AR 71602

[email protected]

(870) 267-6428


Look Ahead to 2018...Baton Rouge!

Baton Rouge Hilton Capital Center

201 Lafayette Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

(225) 906-5783

2018 Mid-Winter Conference

February 22nd to 24th

2018 Annual Summer Conference

July 20th to 25th

Room Rate: $94/night

(3 days before and after)


SOUTHERN STATES CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION

DAVID H. WILLIAMS

EXCELLENCE OF SERVICE AWARD

David H. Williams served as he first President of the Southern States Correctional Association. The David H. Williams Excellence of Service

Award is to provide the Association the opportunity and manner in which to recognize individuals within the membership deserving of such

an honor.

Nominations must be received on or before January 1, 2016 to be considered.

Name of Nominee__________________________________________

Address __________________________________________

In the space provided, or by attachment, furnish information regarding the nominee's accomplishments and contributions to the field of crim-

inal justice and/or the Southern States Correctional Association. Nomination must include biographical information.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Name of Nominator________________________________

Address__________________________________________

Address

Submit completed application to:

Kevin Murphy

Arkansas Community Corrections

105 West Capitol Avenue

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

[email protected]

Application must be received by January 1, 2017


Kenneth Law Scholarship

PURPOSE:

The SSCA is a 14-state regional organization of correctional practitioners representing the operational and administrative areas of jails, probation,

prisons, and parole. It is the intent of this scholarship award to financially assist individuals preparing to or already participating in an accredited

college or university program of study.

PROCESS:

Each year individual(s) will be selected to receive the SSCA Scholarship Award. The process begins at the state level with applicants submitting

application packages (form and attachments) to their respective SSCA State Representative no later than April 1, 2016. These applications will be

screened by a State-level screening committee and one primary and one alternate application will be forwarded to the SSCA Scholarship Award

Committee for consideration. The Award Committee will select recipients and award scholarships in an amount and number to be determined by

the Executive Board. Applicants will receive written notification of their selection or rejection. Awards will be announced at the annual training

conference in July 2016.

AMOUNT: The Association will designate a maximum of $5,000 per year for the scholarship program. Additional contributions may increase the

amount of funds available each year. The Executive Board will determine the amount and number of scholarships to be awarded each year to

individuals who are Regular members of SSCA, their spouse or dependent children and are pursuing either part-time or full-time formal education

at the college or graduate school level. The funds will be deposited with an accredited college or university to apply toward the student’s tuition

and related academic expenses.

ELIGIBILITY:

(1) Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen

(2) Applicant must be an active regular or lifetime SSCA member or a spouse or dependent child of a member.

(3) Applicant must be pursuing a bachelor or graduate degree in a program of study applicable to the field of criminal justice, rehabilitation,

social services or a related field.

(4) Applicant must be entering his/her freshman, sophomore, junior, senior year or graduate school. Freshman or first year graduate stu-

dents must be officially accepted in the college or university.

(5) Applicant must complete the application form, provide all required attachments, and submit the entire package to their State Repre-

sentative prior to April 1, 2016. The scholarship will be awarded for the next fall term. Incomplete application packages will not be

accepted for consideration.

ATTACHMENT TO APPLICATION:

(1) Beginning freshman will submit two (2) letters from high school instructors under whom the student has studied, stating why they sup-

port the applicant’s receipt of the scholarship award.

(2) Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and entering graduate students must submit two (2) letters of recommendation from professors under

whom the applicant has studied, stating why they support the applicant’s receipt of the scholarship award.

(3) Beginning freshman must submit a certified transcript of their high school grades to date.

(4) Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and entering graduate students must submit a certified transcript of their college courses and grades to

date.

(5) Graduate students already matriculating in a graduate program must submit a certified transcript of graduate courses and grades to

date.

(6) Beginning freshman and entering graduate students must submit a copy of their official letter accepting them into the college/university.

(7) On a separate sheet(s) of paper provide a written narrative supporting/justifying his/her need for this scholarship.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS:

(1) Recipient will only be eligible to receive this scholarship one time.

(2) Scholarship recipients must forward to the appropriate State Representative a copy of their transcript for the time period the recipient

has received the award.

(3) Failure to satisfactorily complete the semester may result in the recipient being required to repay SSCA the full amount awarded. Satis-

factory completion means an overall grade point average of “C” or 2.0 on 4.0 scale for each semester a scholarship was received.


SSCA Kenneth Law - SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

(print or type)

Name _____________________________________________________ Social Security No. __________________

Last First MI

Address ___________________________________________________Telephone ( ) ______________________

Street

______________________________________________________________________________________

City State Zip

College/University Name __________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address __________________________________________________________________________________

City State Zip

Major Minor ________________________

Current Class: Class Status for Fall Term

High School Senior Junior College Freshman Senior_____________

College Freshman Senior Sophomore Graduate ____________

Sophomore Graduate Junior _____

U.S. Citizen Yes No

All information submitted is true and accurate. Further, I authorize the SSCA Executive Board/Scholarship Selection Committee to

verify the information contained in this application package.

__________________________________________________________________

Date Signature


Advertise in the Southern Concourse

The Southern States Correctional Association is a “family” of professionals from 14 states representing virtually every type of corrections agency – youth and adult services, probation and parole, counselors, teachers, administrators and volun-

teers. The membership also includes law enforcement officers and others interested in corrections.

The Southern Concourse is published quarterly by the SSCA and reaches approximately

1,000 members.

Subscriptions are included in the $25.00 annual membership dues.

SSCA Advertising Form

Company Name: _________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: _________________________________________________________

Contact Person: _________________________________ Phone: ___________________

E-mail: ______________________________

____ One issue half page ad $100 ____ Four issues half page ad $225

____ One issue full page ad $150 ____ Four issues full page ad $400

Please send:

Vector image ad to [email protected]

and your check made payable to SSCA to the following address:

SSCA – The Southern Concourse

PO Box 928

Crestwood, KY 40014

CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS

The Resolutions Committee needs your assistance in recognizing deserving members and SSCA supporters. Each committee member has been assigned a SSCA state representative to work with to complete the SSCA information form needed to prepare the Resolutions.

Please e-mail your recommendations to the Resolutions Committee Chairperson

Lisa Wassum: [email protected]

or to any committee member.

SOUTHERN STATES

CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION INC.

P.O. Box 928 • Crestwood, KY 40014

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID

Jackson, MS

Permit No. 1005

VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ WWW.SSCAWEB.ORG

Website sponsored by GTL Inc.

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