National Crime Victims Right Week
In this video, Victim Services Coordinator Kim Beshear explains the role of the departmen's Office of Victim Services.
Join the Missouri Department of Corrections and our state and local partners in recognition of National Crime Victims Rights Week April 18-24. A candlelight vigil begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 19, outside the Cole County Sheriff's Department at 350 E. High Street in Jefferson City. Speakers include Missouri State Representative Lane Roberts, Kansas City Missouri Police Department Detective Sarah Throckmorton and Boone County Community Against Violence founder Shaunda Hamilton. Division of Probation and Parole Director Julie Kempker will serve as master of ceremony, and Algoa Correctional Center Chaplain Jeffery Anderson will lead attendees in prayer.
The department's Office of Victim Services helps victims of crimes committed by offenders sentenced to the Missouri Department of Corrections. The unit registers and maintains the records in the Missouri Victim Automated Notification System (MOVANS). Victim specialists help prepare victims for parole hearings; assist with special requests; and train new parole officers on victim issues and secondary trauma. Questions? Call at 573-526-6516 or watch this video »
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Want to help support crime victims? The Western Region Planning Committee, with 4 Centrals Personnel Club, is holding a T-shirt sale fundraiser in honor of National Crime Victims Rights Week.
All profits from shirt sales go to the Restoration House of Greater Kansas City, which offers long-term residential housing and faith-based restorative programs and services for women and girls who are survivors of human trafficking. Order online »
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Volunteers in Corrections Make Programs Possible
During the COVID-19 pandemic, containing the virus has meant restricting access for many Missourians, including visitors and volunteers. During National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, we want to recognize our dedicated Volunteers in Corrections (VIC) participants and the staff who make their work possible, including volunteer services coordinator Rebecca Riley. As COVID cases fall and vaccination rates rise, we look forward to welcoming volunteers back into the fold soon. Fittingly, this year's theme is "The value of one, the power of many."
Currently 2,263 volunteers are active with the department, and over the past year they have reached out with messages of support to institutional activity coordinators and have provided extended care to offender families.
Springfield Business Owner Volunteers at Ozark Correctional Center
From KOLR/Ozarks First
Edgar "Rock" Hagen has lost a lot of people to drug abuse. In the 1990s, his own addiction led him to shoplifting and a prison sentence. After release, he changed his life. For 20 years, Hagen has been drug free and has owned and operated his own clothing store, Rock’s Hip Hop Fashion, in Springfield. He also has served as a volunteer at Ozark Correctional Center (OCC), leading 12-step meetings for incarcerated men, and has provided transitional housing to help support those leaving prison as they complete the reentry process. Watch his story in this KOLR segment »
Rescue & Reclaim Reformation Volunteers Support Transition Center
Pastor Bernie Gilligan and the Rescue & Reclaim Reformation Ministry have been longtime supporters of the Transition Center of St. Louis (TCSTL). They transported residents to Arnold Baptist Tabernacle Sunday church services before the pandemic then began providing church services on site every weekend as COVID limited gatherings. Ministry participants lead support group meetings, offer one-on-one counseling, make employment and housing referrals, and donate hygiene items for residents. Pastor Bernie keeps the Clothing Closet organized and stocked with donations from the congregation. Learn more about the ministry »
Jennifer Brooks, a Probation & Parole Officer II in District 3 in Hannibal, knows how to de-escalate tense situations.
While conducting a home visit and discovering a client with a history of violence and drug use in an agitated state, Brooks and a fellow officer were able to calm down the client; notify local police that backup might be required; identify signs of ammunition and, possibly, weapons in the home; and reassure a distraught woman inside the home.
Thanks to her foresight, local police arrived and helped handle the situation. Brooks's diligence, professionalism and commitment to teamwork helped to prevent violence and protect all involved from potential danger.
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New MoAMP Provides High-Value Education to MODOC Maintenance Staff
Maintenance staff, education staff and facility administrators gather at State Tech for the MoAMP kickoff meeting and a chance to try out the learning modules.
The Missouri Department of Corrections has launched a new collaboration with State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech), a treasured longtime partner that already provides vocational training for incarcerated Missourians. Thanks to new grant awards, State Tech will now offer free maintenance technician training to corrections staff.
In the new four-tier Missouri Apprenticeships in Manufacturing Program (MoAMP), our maintenance staff can take courses in robotics, maintenance principles, precision measurement, HVAC, industrial wiring, blueprint reading, rigging, motor controls, industrial safety and more, earning up to 10 industry-recognized apprenticeship credentials.
Learning modules are transported throughout the state on the MOSTART trailer. Staff can train during work hours without having to take extra time to further their education.
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Each tier of the maintenance technician program includes a combination of classroom work and on-the-job training, with tiers 1-4 entailing 16, 56, 48 and 48 contact hours each. Participants can earn National Career Readiness (WorkKeys) certification; National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) certification; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician certification; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 card; CPR, First Aid, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification; National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification; and introductory, standard, intermediate and advanced maintenance technician certificates of completion.
This program is worth an estimated $12,000-$15,000 in tuition, fees, tests and credentialing costs. It's free for corrections staff. Contact your supervisor to apply now. Classes start in June.
Want to see the learning modules? Watch the kickoff event video »
Director Precythe Earns Women of the Year Honor
The Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously named our own Director Anne Precythe the 2021 Civic Leader of the Year. Director Precythe was nominated for this Women of the Year honor by Carolyn Chrisman and Kellie Ann Coats, on behalf of the Missouri Women’s Council, as well as by Division of Human Services Director Susan Pulliam, who notes that Director Precythe is “definitely accomplished in the corrections field, but the true reason for this nomination is due to the consistent leadership and passion she brings to every situation she encounters. In the last four years, Director Precythe’ s primary focus has been changing the culture of corrections. She has met countless obstacles; however, her passion to create a better work environment for all has led to the development of The Corrections Way. This initiative prepares and equips staff to identify, teach, model and reinforce critical leadership skills.” Read more about Women of the Year honorees »
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Corrections Teams Get COVID-19 Vaccination
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Thousands of Missouri Department of Corrections team members have been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Thank you for taking this important step to protect yourself, your team and your community.
Want to remind your teammates that vaccines are both available and encouraged? Download, print and share this poster at your worksite.
Every corrections staff member who has not yet been vaccinated is still eligible and can still make an appointment to get the shot. You have several options:
- Regional worksite vaccination events
- Community mass vaccination events
- Pharmacies
- Health care providers
How does the vaccine work? Get the facts and watch the videos at MoStopsCOVID.com.
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Vaccines & Visits
A segment of our offender population became eligible for COVID vaccination in Phase 1B of the state vaccine rollout plan, which includes people age 65 and older and those with certain medical conditions. So far, more than 5,600 offenders have received at least one dose — about 24% of the total state prison offender population. When Phase 3 opens April 9, all offenders will be eligible for vaccination. Offenders have been informed that when 70% of the residents of each facility have been vaccinated, visiting will resume at that facility. Thank you to Corizon nurses and facility staff who make this process run smoothly.
Website Supports Staff Onboarding
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The Missouri Department of Corrections has launched a new section of our website designed to walk new hires through the process of joining the corrections team. Built from department onboarding committee recommendations, Office of Administration guidelines, Hire True processes and other key components, the mobile-friendly online guide lets prospective and newly hired team members know what to expect as they launch corrections careers.
The journey covers prestart prep, the first day and the first month on the job for custody, probation and parole, operations, classification and clerical staff. Along the way, staff learn about benefits, pay, leave, training, expectations and more.
Get started at doc.mo.gov/welcome.
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Taking the Plunge & Giving Back
Mid-Missouri corrections staff raised $17,170 for Special Olympics Missouri through the 2021 Lake of the Ozarks Polar Plunge, dipping into the icy lake waters in February. Algoa Correctional Center Case Manager Adam Koestner coordinated the 30-member team Davis' Dawgs, named in memory of Captain Tom Davis. Algoa's 19 participants raised $11,110; Tipton Correctional Center's nine participants raised $5,560; and Boonville Correctional Center's two participants raised $500. The team earned two awards for their efforts: Top Fundraising Law Enforcement Agency and Largest Group. See photos and video from the event »
Probation & Parole District 19 staff volunteered at Harvesters food food bank in Kansas City March 10. The volunteers packed 1,468 pounds of food for distribution to the community.
Probation & Parole Western Region staff donated blankets, clothing, shoes, and hygiene products to the Midwest Homeless Collective.
Women's Eastern Reception Diagnostic & Correctional Center staff hosted a fundraiser for co-worker Lori Eckhoff, an institutional probation and parole officer experiencing COVID complications. The fundraiser, including a luncheon and raffle, raised $1,400.
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What are we doing? Where are we going? What does it mean for you and your job?
We’re making big progress in our three focus areas: workplace safety, workforce development and reducing risk and recidivism.
Take a look at our strategic plan and initiatives for the latest updates on the department's priorities.
Tracking Training
Congratulations to staff who have completed mandatory training requirements for this year! If you have completed the requirements, you do not need to submit additional certificates to your training officers/coordinators. If you have not completed requirements, please continue to submit the certificates of completion.The Team Member Training Portal (TMTP) within the ESS Portal is not connected with the MODOC Training Management System (TMS) and is not considered an official training record. You can use the system to track your professional development; however, your mandatory trainings also must be submitted to your training officers/coordinators
Training Academy Newsletter
Check out Training Academy Corner, a monthly newsletter of the Missouri Department of Corrections Training Academy, to meet new trainers and stay up to date on training requirements and course offerings.
MO Learning April Challenge
All staff are invited to participate in our monthly training challenge through LinkedIn Learning. By investing just 30 minutes per week, you can complete the featured course, "How to Engage in Meaningful Allyship and Anti-Racism," and earn two hours of training credit.
Mission
Improving Lives for Safer Communities
Vision
Excellence in Corrections for a Safer Missouri
Values
We value safe work environments, a capable workforce and reduced risk and recidivism.
We value integrity and respect.
We value supportive leadership.
We value employee participation and teamwork.
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