Shutter Creek Staff Honored for Excellence, May 15

Last week, sixteen employees and contractors of the Oregon Department of Corrections’ Shutter Creek Correctional Institution (SCCI) were recognized for their outstanding work in supporting the agency’s mission. SCCI held an awards ceremony on May 7, 2014, to honor these individuals as part of National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (NCEW). The employees are:  * Julie Martin, Management Assistant, received the Department’s Meritorious Service Award for extraordinary contributions to the department throughout her 24 year career.  * Laurie Toth-Carson, Correctional Sergeant, received SCCI’s Officer of the Year award and was also recognized as the statewide Officer of the Year for the Department of Corrections, representing all 14 institutions in the Department.  * Jamie Platt, Administrative Specialist 2, received SCCI’s Employee of the Year award and was also recognized as the Department’s Operations Division Employee of the Year, representing all 14 institutions in the Department as well as Health Services.  * Ray Meadors, Correctional Lieutenant, received SCCI’s Manager of the Year Award for the institution.  * Joan Lynch, Education Instructor, was named as SCCI’s Contractor of the Year. Ms. Lynch works at SCCI through the institution’s contract with Southwestern Oregon Community College to provide educational services at the institution.  * Eleven staff were recognized with Lifesaving Awards for their response to two separate medical emergencies at the institution. Those staff are: Correctional Officers Travis Baarstad, Glen Cotell, Dale Harlon, Christopher Hovey, Caleb Torgerson, and Daniel Sickels; Correctional Sergeant Carrie Williams; Facilities Maintenance Specialist Jeffery Henderson; Registered Nurses Lisa Hitchcock and Dianna Wolford; and Medical Services Manager Patti Knight.  SCCI Superintendent Tim Causey presented award winners with certificates and plaques at the awards ceremony. Superintendent Causey praised them for their dedication and excellent service to the institution and the department.  In his proclamation of NCEW, Governor Kitzhaber commended adult and juvenile correctional workers for “holding offenders accountable for their actions and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior and future victimization.”  Shutter Creek Correctional Institution (SCCI) is a 290-bed, minimum-security prison located on the Oregon Coast at North Bend. Prior to its conversion to a prison in 1990, the site was an Air National Guard radar station. The institution is staffed by 100 staff members and contractors who provide supervision, programming, and support for inmates housed at SCCI. The main programs offered at SCCI are Work Programs, Education/GED, Pathfinders/Life Skills Programming, 12-Step Meetings, Cognitive Restructuring, Anger Management, and Release Programming.