About Missouri Eastern Correctional Center »
April 2020
Employee of the Month
CO I Kenneth Powers
Puppy Pic
Harriston Beck w/ Marshal Tucker
Larry Baker & William Miller w/ Meeko
Jesus Sesena & Blake Shelton w/
Stocking
Jeremy Thurmond & Rickey Turntine w/ Sugar Plum
March 2020
Employee of the Month
CO I Michael Cobb
New Team Members
CCM II Melissa Larry
Office Support Assistant for Maintenance Caitlyn Adams
Town Hall Report
March 17th at 8:00 am with Warden Jennings – 2 attended
March 17th at 3:00 pm with Warden Jennings – 1 attended
March 17th at 4:00 pm with Warden Jennings – 16 attended
Town Hall Report
Questions asked by staff/topics discussed – 8AM meeting
- COVID-19 Q&A session
- Keys are not working in all the cell doors
- Diabetic call outs are not working in the mornings. Can each house get a list of diabetics in the houses?
- COII’s are not being trained correctly. Can they spend 2 days in training with an experienced COII?
- Moral is low due to attendance. The Warden throwing a BBQ for the staff was suggested.
- Give the supervisors an example of a good Performance Plan.
- The Warden should attend 1st shift more often.
Questions asked by staff/topics discussed – 3PM meeting
- COVID-19 Q&A session
- Investigations
- Supervisors
- Moral needs to be lifted more, but improvements are being seen.
- ENGAGE 2.0
Questions asked by staff/topics discussed – 4PM meeting
- COVID-19 Q&A session
- Offender movement changes
- Everyone likes the look of the new uniforms & they overall feel comfortable. There is some concern as to them being hot in the summer.
- Education is continuing through the COVID-19 crisis.
- Moral low due to call ins, especially when the supervisors are calling in so much.
- ENGAGE 2.0
Important Dates
Upcoming Holidays
Truman Day – Friday, May 8th
Memorial Day – Monday, May 25th
January 2020
Employee of the Month
COII Elizabeth Massey (no photo available)
OSA Amy Arnold
Awards & Recognition
Employee of the Year
Lt. Herbert Nolden
Outstanding Achievement Award
AC Kevin Midcliff (no photo available)
New Team Members
Correctional Officers I to start January 21st
Montanique L. Harris
Michael J. Guliford
Glenn A. Koehler
Gavin S. McDaniel
Jaxon T. Mader
Kaylee C. Melton
Tyler W. Pruitt
Scott A. Teaney
Christy A. Vanderfeltz
Michael J. Guliford
Glenn A. Koehler
Gavin S. McDaniel
Jaxon T. Mader
Kaylee C. Melton
Tyler W. Pruitt
Scott A. Teaney
Christy A. Vanderfeltz
Montanique L. Harris
Maintenance Worker I Lisa A. Gerling to start January 06.
Promotions
DORS OSA Anita L. Clausen has accepted the position of Accounting Clerk effective Sunday, January 12, 2020.
OSA Tobey Adams (Switchboard Operator) has changed to OSA to DW Weaver effective 01/19/2020
OSA Terry Bakhtiari (HU 1 OSA) to Switchboard Operator effective 02/02/2020
COIII Herbert J. Nolden to Corrections Supervisor I (Captain) at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC). Mr. Nolden started his career in 2011 as a Corrections Officer I at Eastern Reception Diagnostic Correctional Center. Mr. Nolden transferred to Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) in 2013. Mr. Nolden was promoted to a Corrections Officer II in 2015 and promoted to Corrections Officer III in 2017. Mr. Nolden will assume his new position on Saturday, February 01, 2020.
OSA Penny Ryland (DWOM Cynthia Hygrade and AW Diana Simmerly) to OSA in Education effective 02/09/2020.
Important Dates
Town Hall Meetings with Warden Richard Jennings:
January 22nd at 8:00am
January 22nd at 3:00pm
January 22nd at 4:00pm
December 2019
Big News
Eric Genius in concert - Tuesday, December 10th at 9 a.m.
Presentation of gifts for the ALIVE family
Employee of the Month
CO I Joshua Fuller
Records Officer I Patty Garcia
Awards & Recognition
The following individuals have been recognized for their years of service with the MoDOC:
Chaplain John Essary has provided MoDOC with 30 years of service
SET III Andrew Devos has provided MoDOC with 25 years of service.
Case Manager Theresa Hill has provided MoDOC with 20 years of service.
COI Shirley Klingeman has provided MoDOC with 20 years of service.
New Team Members
CO I ‘s for the month of December:
Deirdre A. Matthews
Connie S. Matthews
Zachary D. Gledhill
Olivia N. Sauberan
Raysean R. Franklin
Robineasha T. Hunter
Tamerashay J. Brown
COOK II Noah R. Smith
Administrative Office Support Assistant (Warden Jennings) Sharon E. Cole
Promotions
Tommie L. Hoyt to Corrections Officer II at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC). Mr. Hoyt started his career in 2019 as a Corrections Officer I at MECC and will assume his new position on Sunday, December 08, 2019.
Patrick R. Wood to Corrections Officer II at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC). Mr. Wood started his career in 2018 as a Corrections Officer I at MECC and will assume his new position on Sunday, December 08, 2019.
Retirements
Debra Wilson will be retiring on 12.31.2019 after 22 years of service. Let’s wish her well in her new journey.
Staff Moves
OSA Susan Luedde to Housing Unit #2, Susan is moving over from the Business Office, December 02, 2019
Angel R. Coleman has accepted a transfer to MECC effective Sunday, December 01, 2019 as a Corrections Case Manager II for HU#2. Ms Coleman will join our us from P&P’s Fulton Community Supervision Center.
CO I Jeffrey J. Capestro has accepted the position of Storekeeper I in the Warehouse and will begin on Sunday, January 05, 2020.
Town Hall Report
December 18th at 8:00am with Warden Jennings – 3 attended
December 18th at 3:00pm with Warden Jennings – 0 attended
December 18th at 4:00pm with Warden Jennings – 11 attended
Questions asked by Staff / Topics Discussed -8AM meeting
- Can Property officers get time to practice driving the van and property trailer?
- Can we improve communications involving property pack outs for transfers?
- Discussion about OJT’s learning property
- Discussion about having Supervisors spend a day in property and really see what they do
- 4 times this week pack outs did not get done in time and now we have to mail the property
- Discussion about making offenders footlocker more often. Too much property being stored in Property for packrat offenders
- When can we get new footlockers?
- Linkedin/MoLearning
- Pulse Survey
Questions asked by Staff / Topics Discussed – 4PM meeting
- There is a problem with the sun shining through the Dining Room windows in the morning. Depending on where you are standing, everyone else is a silhouette surrounded by sunshine. Can we put tinting/blinds/an awning up to control the sunshine. Same problem on the Education front door – can’t see who is entering unless you are right there.
- Meals are frequently delayed due to running out of food. Explained the meal planning process. Then a discussion about having offenders sign up for meals and we cook just over that number who signed up.
- Discussion about vocational training opportunities at MECC, current and future
- Is there any discussion at Central Office about training skills for offenders who can’t finish their HiSET? Some people just can’t do school, but they need a skill for release. We currently seem to only allow offenders who have an education score of 1.
- MoLearning and the 2020 training requirements
- Ad-Seg programming/offender tablets/ Ashland University
- Pulse Survey
Important Dates
Holidays
New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 20th
November 2019
Big News
MECC Culinary Arts, HiSET, and Horticulture Graduation 11.6.2019
It’s graduation time again. Nervous excitement fills the room as the Culinary Arts, HiSET, and Horticulture graduates await their opportunity to collect their certificate of Achievement in which everyone had been working so hard to receive.
The graduates slowly enter the visiting room to be greeted and to receive their cap & gown.
Pictures, graduates! The graduates line up in their perspective groups to have picture after picture taken in order to get that “perfect” group photo.
After photos are taken, the graduates line up by groups, again, to get ready for the graduation walk to their seats before their names are called to collect their well earned “rolled up pieces of paper.”
The guests arrive. The graduates patiently watch their family and friends walk in and take their seats at the wonderfully decorated tables.
Here comes the musical cue for the graduates to enter in formation as they make way to their seats. When everyone takes seat, the teachers introduce the honor students and then the valedictorian.
The valedictorian is called to speak. He opens with recognition of the hard work that each graduate put forth to get to this day. He also shares the difficulties in which he and others endured in finding the time and place to study in the prison environment. He ends with words of encouragement for the betterment of his fellow graduates.
The time has finally cone for each graduate to be called by name to walk towards the front of the room to shake hands and collect their “rolled up piece of paper.” But wait, now the graduates seem to see this “rolled up piece of paper” as something more than that. It now has meaning. It is now “The Certificate” of hard work and dedication that was put forth.
Going back to school can be difficult enough for any adult. But when you’re in a prison environment, the level of difficulty may be greater as the student must struggle with when and where he/she can do homework with the least amount of distractions. How easily is it to find their specific studying style? Is their cellmate accommodating if they want to stay up at night to do homework? So many questions of concern enter their minds as they work diligently to better themselves.
Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and dedication!
Employee of the Month
CO I Willie Randall
OSA Penny Ryland
New Team Members
COI’s to start on November 18
James L. Cashdollar
Jalen A. Glenn
Christian E. Gourley
Rebecca A. Halverson
Brandy R. Harris
Rafael K. Koscak
Kali A. Stone
Staff Moves
CO I Thomas M. Ghirardi transferring to Missouri Eastern Correctional Center from Ozark Correctional Center will begin employment at MECC on Sunday, December 01, 2019
Training
[Updates]
Town Hall Report
Town Hall Report from meetings held on November 13, 2019
November 13th at 3:00pm – attendance was four. November 13th at 4:00pm – attendance was five.
Topics of discussion:
1) Review of Director Precythe’s visit
2) Corrections Way
3) Strategic Plan
4) ENGAGE 2.0
5) Drugs at MECC – can we get a body scanner?
6) Can we get LaunchCode into MECC?
7) Is the department going to get a recruitment effort to get former military?
8) Excitement about revamping and improving the FTO program – much needed
6) Changes to the front lobby – positive reviews
7) Talked a couple more people into enrolling in MoLearning
8) Happy to be getting raises but noted that we still trail most states
9) Staff happy to see that we are finally fixing and improving the institution
Important Dates
Holiday - Wednesday, December 25, 2019 - Christmas Day
Town Hall dates:
November 5th at 3:00pm with Director Precythe
November 13th at 8:00am with Warden Jennings
November 13th at 3:00pm with Warden Jennings
November 13th at 4:00pm with Warden Jennings
October 2019
Employee of the Month
COII Onyekachi Nwodo
AC Kevin Midkiff
New Team Members
CO I Keith A. Smith
CO I Kayla M. Wagner
CO II Chelesa R. Dowell
CO I Abigail M. Heinz #9351 MEC4124
CO I Jessica M. Chapa #9813 MEC4057
CO I Jynna N. Fritz #9659 MEC4027
CO I Brianna N. Sparkman #0274 MEC4020
CO I Zachary E. Forstmann #4019 MEC4106
CO I Chloe R. Daugherty #6126 MEC4113
Senior Office Support Assistant Khristine (Khris) M. Swisher
OSA Alicia M. Stephens #2217 ORG A414 MEC0030 HU#2
SOSA Khristine M. Swisher #3361 ORG A411 MEC0123
Promotions
Jillian C. Don Hill promotes to Storekeeper II at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC). Ms. Don Hill started her career in 2018 as a COOK II at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) and promoted to Storekeeper I in December 2018. Ms. Don Hill will assume her new position on Sunday, October 27, 2019.
Retirements
[List]
Staff Moves
[Names, locations, dates]
Training
[Updates]
Town Hall Report
[Attendance numbers, topics]
Important Dates
Bake Sale – October 23rd thru October 24th to raise money for the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation.
Offender question and answer Town Hall – October 09 and October 22, 2019
November 11, 2019 Veteran’s Day
September 2019
Big News
Employee Appreciation Week * 9/16/2019 – 9/20/2019
Dunking Booth 9/18/2019 * All proceeds go toward the charity CPOF, Correctional Peace Officers Foundation.
Employee of the Month
CO I Mark Powers
SK I Jillian Don Hill
Awards & Recognition
[Lifesaver awards, contest winners, etc.]
New Team Members
OSA’s
Anita L. Clausen
Tobey J. Adams Mailroom/Switchboard
CO I’s
Riccarda D. Boyd #2514 MEC4095
Steven L. Dildine #1808 MEC4182
Samuel U. Fuchs #1884 MEC4196
Van T. Harris #6908 MEC4189
Shayla N. Hunt #3592 MEC4123
Samuel B. Jones #0818 MEC4098
Hannah Le #8238 MEC4075
Michael W. Meisel #1206 13 MEC4167
Sapenaro, Daniel #7984 MEC4159
Timothy M. Shields #8125 MEC4195
Cory J. Swiecicki #9304 MEC4058
Lynnette R. White #8843 MEC4181
Demarco L. Williams #7716 MEC4136
Nicholas A. Cartwright #3219 MEC4039
Lori F. Collier #0323 MEC4020
Jacqueline R. Kitson #0501 MEC4176
Anne M. Ward #2139 MEC4114
COOK II ORG A417
David R. Mansfield #3876 MEC0044
Promotions
Cynthia Hygrade promotes from Associate Superintendent at TCSTL to Deputy Warden of Offender Management at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center effective September 29, 2019.
Ms. Hygrade began her career with the Missouri Department of Corrections as a Corrections Caseworker at MECC in January 2006, where she worked until being promoted to Probation and Parole Officer in February 2007. She promoted to Unit Supervisor at District EC in April 2012. Ms. Hygrade promoted to her current position as Associate Superintendent at TCSTL in June 2017. Ms. Hygrade has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Lindenwood University, a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Fontbonne University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Fontbonne University.
Jacob M. Thoele promotes to Corrections Officer I at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC).
Mr. Thoele started his career in 2019 as a Cook II at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC).
Mr. Thoele will assume his new position on Sunday, September 29, 2019. When you see Mr. Thoele, please congratulate him on his promotion to Corrections Officer I.
Staff Moves
Shelby Brown from Office Support Assistant/Switchboard to Office Support Assistant Deputy Warden of Operations, Ms. Weaver, effective Sunday, September 15, 2019
Kara McKee from Warehouse Manager to Storekeeper II effective Sunday, September 29, 2019.
Important Dates
Town Hall Meeting
September 11th at 8:00am
September 11th at 3:00pm
September 11th at 4:00pm
August 2019
Employee of the Month
CO II Darla Bowles
AOSA Amy Coleman-Moore
Promotions
Emily R. Haslag promotes from Institutional Activity Coordinator to Corrections Case Manager I at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) starting July 07, 2019. Ms Haslag began her career with MECC as a Store Keeper I in 2014 and promoted to Store Keeper II in 2018. Also in 2018, Ms Haslag promoted to Institutional Activity Coordinator.
CO I Brian Hinzpeter promotes to Garage Supervisor effective Sunday, July 21, 2019. Mr. Hinzpeter began his career as a Correctional Officer I at MECC in 2018.
CO I Drew Wion promotes to CO II and is scheduled to begin on Sunday July 21, 2019. Mr. Wion began his career with MoDOC in 2018 as a CO I at MECC.
CO I Onyekachi Nwodo promotes to CO II and will begin on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Mr. Nwodo began his career with MoDOC in 2018 as a CO I at MECC.
CO I Chrisopher Graf promotes to CO II and will begin on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Mr. Graf began his career with MoDOC in 2015 as a CO I at MECC.
COI Elizabeth Massey promotes to COII and will begin on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Ms. Massey began her career with MoDOC in 2013 as a CO I at MECC.
CO I Corey Felty promotes to CO II and will begin on Sunday July 21, 2019. Mr. Felty began his career with MoDOC in 2015 as a COI at Farmington Correctional Center.
CO I Jessica Polakovic promotes to Recreation Officer I as of Sunday, July 29, 2019 at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC). CO I Polakovic started her career at MECC as a COI in 2019.
CO I Jesse Amsden promotes to Institutional Activity Coordinator at MECC and will assume his position on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Mr. Amsden began his career as a Corrections Officer I in 2007.
May 2019
Employees of the Month
Cook I La Tonya Ming
LaTonya started her career at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center May 29, 2018 as a Correctional Officer I. She then transferred to Food Service on April 17, 2019 as a Cook I, where she is a major asset to the department. She always has a smile and professional attitude to share with all who have the opportunity to work next to her.
CO I Peter Sluis
Peter started his DOC career October 31, 2005 as a Correctional Officer I at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center and has worked many posts throughout his DOC career at MECC. He proved to be dependable, as well as professional. He always performed his job duties with a smile and with the most exceptional of standards.
Classification Staff Moves
Roberta D. Sappington transferred from FCC to Corrections Case Manager I at MECC.
Promotions
Andrew D. Hill from Labor Supervisor to Locksmith at MECC
Important Dates
May 27, 2019 (Memorial Day)
New Programs
New Programs to MECC include:
Culinary Arts and Professional Gardening
*20 minute Beginner Yoga classes for staff members three days per week during lunch break