June 2026
Director Heidi E. Washington and other MDOC leaders have been at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility to support staff and the well‑being of the women housed there.
They have been visiting healthcare units and monitoring daily operations to make sure procedures are being followed and that everyone is receiving proper care.
Last week, the department’s Mental Health Director met with individuals across the facility. The Mental Health Team has been offering support, which is standard after serious incidents. Regular supports like religious services and counseling are continuing as usual.
Additional experienced clinical leaders have been brought in to help over the next several weeks while evaluations are underway. A new health care staffing plan is being created, including enhanced nursing management.
Additionally, Director Washington and the department’s Medical Director met with legislators and other key stakeholders to share updates, answer questions, and provide information about operations and policy on May 20 and 22. The department will continue providing updates as investigation continues.
Compassion in Action: Celebrating Agent Dan Webb’s Commitment to Success
Dan Webb is, by all accounts, an agent who goes above and beyond to help those he supervises be successful. Based at the Kalamazoo Parole and Probation Office, he is this year’s Candice L. Dunn Agent of the Year.
Dan remembers joining the department just as the field operations area was becoming centered on the 'coaching model'. That's the idea that agents aren't there to be intimidating and punitive. Instead, they provide resources their clients need to succeed, encouragement when life struggles come up, or fair accountability when needed.
Assigned a caseload of people with addiction or mental health challenges, Agent Webb has focused on this model. He works to support housing and food instability, and is creative when there are transportation issues, by working to meet clients at the library or the local drop-in shelter when necessary. He has a judgment-free attitude that allows clients to be honest even when they have made a mistake.
His supervisor shared that what truly sets Dan apart is his unwavering belief in people and their ability to change. He walks alongside clients through their toughest moments, celebrates their victories, and never loses sight of their potential. With a caseload that can be extremely challenging, his work has made a profound difference.
Agent Webb meeting with a man on probation at the library.
Now at four years with the department, Dan has grown from his background in the U.S. Army and as a case manager at the county drug treatment court to be an agent that helps people be successful.
Agent Webb emphasizes that success doesn't look the same for each person he supervises, but that every mended relationship, sustained recovery, and goal met are a part of why he does this work each day.
MDOC in the News: Highlighting a Recent Story
WXYZ Channel 7: Blue Star Service Dogs pairs prison inmates with rescue dogs — animals pulled from the streets or the pound — and trains them to become service animals for veterans and first responders. The program has shaped more than 200 dogs for first responders and touched the lives of 350 inmates across 4 Michigan prisons.
Every Thursday at Thumb Correctional Facility — the program's longest-running location — selected inmates teach dogs to sit, walk, pick up a leash if it's dropped, and assist during medical emergencies, all while ignoring distractions. Handlers keep their dogs by their side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for between 4 and 6 months.
MDOC Minute: A Helpful Tip
The department has produced a new video tutorial designed to make the entire visiting process easier to understand. Whether you need to apply to be approved for a visit, need help scheduling a visit, or have questions about visiting standards, this video has information for you.
Click here to bookmark the video.
|
Hiring Across Michigan in June
Summer is finally here, but our recruitment team is definitely not on vacation! We've got plenty of hiring events coming up. Find one to attend or apply online here.
|
