September 2026
Passionate and committed to the work she does, Corporal Candace Johnson is usually part of the team at the Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI) program at Women's Huron Valley.
SAI is a 90-day intensive program that focuses on improving negative behaviors to help participants find direction. Knowing each of them will reenter their community in 90 days or less makes her committed to putting her heart into her work. She has a special interest in health and fitness and has shared about the vital connections between body, mind, and overall wellness with the women in SAI.
She emphasizes that putting on the uniform does not make her "superwoman" but instead necessitates setting a good example.
Reflecting on when she started to pursue her career in corrections, Cpl. Johnson remembers a strong desire to get people the resources they need to live better. She says her parents and friends weren't sure she was making the right choice when she began as an officer at WHV. But today, she is confident she is actively guiding the women in SAI toward bettering themselves and their families - and she says her parents are now very proud of the impact she is making.
MDOC in the News: Highlighting a Recent Story
WILX News 10:The Michigan Department of Corrections Vocational Villages program is marking 10 years of teaching trade skills to incarcerated people at facilities across the state. Department officials gathered Wednesday at the Richard Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia to reflect on the program’s history and discuss its future.
Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington said the program is built around rehabilitation and preparation for life after incarceration, "And making sure that when they are here, their time is productive and that we’re giving them the tools they need when they go out,” Washington said.
Timothy Roach spent more than 15 years behind bars. He said the skills he gained through the Vocational Village program made his transition back into the workforce seamless after his release: “So I’m a master automotive mechanic, master heavy-duty mechanic, master motorcycle mechanic; I have structural integrity and other certifications,” Roach said.
Roach has worked at Waste Management for two years. He earns $34 an hour with full benefits and recently closed on his first home.
See the full article here.
MDOC Minute: A Helpful Tip
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The Offender Success Administration (OS) has a webinar that walks through the processes and resources that are part of the reentry process.
Reentry 101 features OS and parole professionals who offer advice and bring clarity to what MDOC offers.
The webinar is available on YouTube and is a great resource for loved ones of those reentering the community.
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Hiring Across Michigan in September
School is back in session, and soon our next officer academy will be too! Find a hiring event to attend or apply online here.
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