Field Days

Matt Yeager and Jerry Johnston, are both Optical Trades Instructor at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility and teach offenders in the trade the ins and outs of the optical industry. Some qualifying offenders even have the opportunity to receive the nationally recognized ABO certification. The optical lab also gives back to less fortunate communities through a program at Ferris State University.

Pete Martel, a mitigation specialist at the State Appellate Defender's Office and former 14-year inmate talks about how having family support and attending community college set him on a path to becoming a lawyer.

Rob Engel, a former offender who battled drug addiction is now a Outreach Specialist at the Lansing Financial Empowerment Center. Rob helps parolees and probationers reduce their debts and improve their financial health. He shares his success with our Field Days host in this week's episode.

The Vivitrol Pilot Program is the first step to broadening medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid substance abusers. Vivitrol is an injection that is administered to offenders on a voluntary basis to block the feelings of getting drunk or high. Noah returns as co-host with Chris to interview Sherri Sankey, the health unit manager and Keith Jones, a mental health social worker from the Detroit Reentry Center. Julia Hitchingham, the substance abuse services manager also provides an overview of why the department is utilizing Vivitrol.

Ryan Powell and Angie Sprank from the reentry join Chris and Greg to talk about the truck driving training program for offenders looking to start a rewarding career after prison. You can also read more about the truck driving program in the Corrections Connection: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/CC_FebruaryNewsletter2017_552842_7.pdf

Returning co-host Noah Nagy joins Chris Gautz this week to talk about the Wayne County Residential Alternative to Prison (WRAP) program at Detroit Reentry Center with agent Verlynda Winston. She provides an overview of the intensive second chance program that provides G.E.D. classes and skilled trade opportunites for probation violators.

Happy Valentine's Day, listeners! Field Days, talks to Kyle Kaminski, the department's legislative liaison about the current budget proposal. He provides an overview of the budget process and what's included in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

In this episode of Field Days, Lieutenant Levens from the Absconder Recovery Unit (ARU), talks to Greg and Chris about the hardships, the successes and what it takes to be a member of the ARU team.

The first ever special edition podcast features an interview with Director Washington and her thoughts on why staff should take the Employee Engagement Survey. In this episode, you'll hear about the innovative ways the department has improved since the last survey in 2015.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Kathy Kieffer from the EPIC section and Lieutenant Matt Mates from Parnall Correctional Facility to talk about the upcoming Employee Engagement Survey. You can expect to get answers from some of the most frequently asked questions about the survey in this episode. The survey will kick-off on February 6 and end February 28. The department's participation goal is 75 percent.

Linsey LaMontagne is the manager for the Office of Community Corrections and she talks about how the office utilizes programming to aid in offender success.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Kathy Arnold, probation sentencing specialist, to talk about the Probation Sentencing Specialist Pilot. You'll learn in greater detail the reason for the pilot and the results that have been reached in the months since the pilot began.

Greg and Chris sit down with Deputy Directors Russ Marlan and Ken McKee to talk about their future plans for the year and what their administrations accomplished in 2016.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz recount the many positive changes that took place this year. Greg talks about changes made in the Field Operations Administration and Chris shares positive news coverage the MDOC received this year.

In this new episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Monica Drake, a communications representative for the Office of Performance and Transformation, to talk about the employee engagement survey taking place in February. You’ll learn all about the anonymity of the survey and changes that were made as a result of the last survey.

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with Chef Jimmy Hill, the Lakeland Correctional Facility Food Tech instructor who talks about how he's used his culinary skills to train prisoners so they may receive jobs once released. Learn more about the program and Chef Hill in this story from Hour Detroit Magazine: http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/December-2016/Raw-Talent/

In the latest episode of Field Days, Greg Straub and Chris Gautz chat with DeWayne Burton, warden of the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility to talk about the Vocational Village. You’ll learn all about this innovative program that is the first-of-its-kind in the country and all the work the staff does there to find jobs for the prisoners upon parole.

Greg and Chris chat with Andie Saunto, an executive secretary for the training division, about the results of the Harvest Gathering fundraiser campaign. There's also a special shout out to our Absconder Recovery Unit for their domestic violence prevention efforts last month.

Greg and Chris sit down this week with the Former Idaho Dept. of Corrections Director, Kevin Kempf. In this light and fun interview, Chris and Greg talk about Director Kempf’s use of social media in a very creative and transparent way. Kevin talks about how he is changing the culture of corrections in Idaho and the importance of getting out of the office to talk with staff and promote the great work they do on a daily basis.

Greg and Chris sit down with the department's legislative liaison, Kyle Kaminski to discuss the upcoming lame duck session and what legislation will be proposed that affects corrections.