Newly Constructed Treatment Center is Rededicated in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Pendleton, Ind. – A newly constructed treatment center is offering services, such as individual therapy, treatment plan reviews, nursing and chronic care, group skills training and psychotropic medication management for offenders housed at the Pendleton Correctional Facility’s Mental Health Unit. Recently the center was rededicated in a ribbon cutting ceremony by Dr. Deanna Dwenger, Dr. Kristen Dauss, Dr. Christine Liedke and Indiana Department of Correction Program Director Amy Eickmeier.
On September 26, 2018, a fire quickly spread through the facility’s mental health treatment center requiring the response of multiple fire departments in the area. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries; however, the fire completely devastated the building leaving it in rubble.
As part of the facility’s mental health treatment unit, the center was the main hub for staff offices and classrooms for offenders to participate in group and individual treatment. It was imperative the building be rebuilt to provide a conducive learning environment for the offenders within the program.
The utilization of on grounds work crews, in which offenders assist facility maintenance staff with the construction, saved more than $900,000, while providing enhanced and hands-on training to the offenders working on the project. Similar to the original structure, which had been constructed in 1961, the new building consists largely of staff offices and classrooms, but the areas were reconfigured to make better use of the space.
“We are excited to reopen the treatment center to provide staff with a permanent work area and offenders with classroom areas absent of the distractions experienced in the temporary classrooms. Through the misfortune of the fire in 2018, we have used the situation in many positive ways to include as an educational tool to provide our offender work crews with extended experience beyond the classroom,” stated Warden Dennis Reagle.
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A fire in 2018 left the former treatment center in rubble. |
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The treatment center was a total loss as a result of the fire. |
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On grounds work crews received hands on instruction from staff during the construction process. |
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Left to right: Dr. Kristen Dauss, Dr. Deanna Dwenger, Indiana Department of Correction Program Director Amy Eickmeier and Dr. Christine Liedke |
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