November 15-22 is National Restorative Justice Week. Minnesota correctional facilities will host victim/survivor presentations describing the impact of crime on victims. Guests will also share their experiences involving the victim-offender dialogue and apology letter processes. In addition, offender restorative justice committees will donate quilts to community organizations such domestic violence shelters. Restorative justice is a framework that engages victims, offenders and the community in repairing the harm caused by crime. For more information, view this department backgrounder.

The Minnesota Corrections Association (MCA) Fall Training Institute was held October 28-29. At the event, awards were presented to professionals and programs for their contributions to corrections in Minnesota. Two Department of Corrections staff were presented individual awards – field services Northern Regional Manager Andy Doom, Corrections Person of the Year, and Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Togo Captain Terry "Sully" Sullivan, Professional Achievement-Corrections Facility. The service dog training program Anything’s Pawsable, a partnership between the MCF-Faribault and Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota, was awarded the President’s Award.

   To view a full list of award recipients, click here. More photos are available here.

Commissioner Joan Fabian has appointed Mark Thielen to serve as warden of the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Faribault, effective November 13, 2009. For more information, click here.

The Combined Charities Campaign kicked off October 1. This month-long event allows state employees to donate to the charity or charities of their choice through payroll deduction. Each year, thousands of state employees use the campaign to make personal donations to improve communities and help those in need throughout Minnesota. More information about Combined Charities and how to donate is available at www.charities.state.mn.us.

In mid-September, a mock-hostage training was held for Department of Corrections' staff. Participants included the department's Special Operations Response Teams, Special Operations Groups, Crisis Negotiator Teams, and Marksman/Observer Teams. Training was held at the Scott County Public Safety Training Center in Jordan, Minnesota, and prepares participants for dangerous situations within the facilities.

Commissioner Joan Fabian has appointed Bruce Reiser to serve as warden of the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City, effective September 16, 2009. For more information, click here.

September is National Preparedness Month. This month-long effort encourages employers and families to prepare for emergency situations, including the H1N1 virus. More information about preparedness is available at www.codeready.org.

Department of Corrections (DOC) staff from several facilities participated in National Night Out and Night to Unite events on August 4, 2009. These community events strengthen neighborhood and law enforcement relationships and promote crime prevention efforts. Some DOC employees answered questions about the department while others demonstrated fingerprinting and handcuffing techniques. In Faribault, DOC Canine Officer John Rathai and his partner Chaos visited with community members.

Mary Johnson, founder of From Death to Life: Two Mothers, has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime. The award recognizes Johnson's dedication and work on behalf of America's victims of crime. In addition to her community work on behalf of victims, Johnson shares her story with offenders during National Crime Victims' Rights Week and Restorative Justice Week. This spring, she and the man who murdered her son spoke together to juveniles at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Red Wing. Commissioner Joan Fabian presented the award to Johnson on July 27, 2009.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections has named Heather Hawkins as 2009 Agent of the Year. Hawkins supervises juvenile and adult misdemeanor offenders in Martin County. To read more about her selection, click here. The Agent of the Year award is given annually in conjunction with National Probation, Parole & Community Supervision Week, recognized this year July 19-25.

After June tornadoes caused extensive damage in the northeast region of Austin, Sentencing to Service (STS) crews responded. Clearing the streets and roads for repair crews took top priority. STS crews then cleared fallen trees and debris from city and county parks. The work of the crews drew high praise from Austin City officials along with heads of city and county park maintenance departments. 

Wanted: Fugitive Willie A. Johnson. For details, click here. Photo was taken on 6-1-09 in a Stillwater area bank. Call 911 or the DOC 24-hour tipline at 651-603-0026 if you have information on Johnson or other fugitives.