New Leaders Take the Helm in Adult Institutions
Amanda Lake has been appointed warden of Moberly Correctional Center, effective May 17.
Lake joined the Missouri Department of Corrections as a Corrections Case Manager II in 2013. She was promoted to functional unit manager in 2015 and to deputy warden in 2019.
She holds a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in human services, with a minor in administration of justice.
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Doris Falkenrath is the new warden of Jefferson City Correctional Center.
Falkenrath joined the Missouri Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer I in 1999. She has served as a sergeant, a classification assistant, a case manager, a functional unit manager, volunteer services coordinator and department recruiter/volunteer coordinator. She became Fulton Reception & Diagnostic Center’s deputy warden in 2018 and warden in 2019.
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Scott Weber is the new warden of Fulton Reception & Diagnostic Center, effective April 19.
Weber joined the Missouri Department of Corrections as a recreation officer in 2003. He has served as Corrections Case Manager I and II, functional unit manager, assistant warden and deputy warden. He became warden of Moberly Correctional Center in 2020.
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Tell Us About Your Awesome Teammates
Is there a member of your team who regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty, consistently supports colleagues or just makes everyone's day a little brighter? This is your chance to sing their praises. During State Team Member Appreciation Month, take a moment to recognize your team. Send stories of exceptional team members — preferably with photos — to doc.media@doc.mo.gov to share in the staff newsletter and in social media.
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Darrin Tipton, district administrator for District 22 in Jackson, is a master of change management.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Missouri in spring 2020, the Division of Probation & Parole quickly got to work on a plan to ensure the continued, successful supervision of Missourians on probation and parole while also prioritizing health and safety and juggling pandemic-related restrictions.Tipton chaired the Probation & Parole Remote Work Team, which researched and compiled recommendations including new and revised policies and procedures; solutions to paper-based processes; supervisor reviews; MO Learning courses; case management reports; and multiple forms and checklists for reports, agreements, inventory and more. This huge undertaking was completed and approved in just two months and had been implemented by fall.
Tipton and his team's innovative approach to community supervision has helped improve public safety and ensure clients' needs have been addressed.
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Anniversary Celebration
 Special Olympics Missouri marks its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone, Algoa Correctional Center Restorative Justice Coordinator Vickie Wells and Case Manger Adam Koestner presented the organization with a special backdrop to use in this year's games and ceremonies. Made over the course of two months by four ACC Restorative Justice volunteers, the all-wood backdrop weighs 365 pounds and spans 16 feet.
Torch Run
 For 30 years, St. Francois County has hosted the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch run, a five-hour cross-country fundraising run for local corrections and law enforcement staff preceding the kickoff of the summer games.This year's participants included Eastern Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center's medical staff Cody Stanley and Rebecca Henson, office support assistant Baily Burgess, and recreation officer Ben Leftridge. See photos from the event »
Ozark Restorative Justice Builds Benches for Kids
When Seymour Elementary School needed a new bench for kids to use outside nurse Jenny Yates's office, the Restorative Justice team at Ozark Correctional Center got to work. Led by Institutional Activity Coordinator Sarah Wormington and volunteer woodshop instructor Mike Haas, offender Randall Wesolek constructed the bench, and local law enforcement delivered it. Previously, Restorative Justice participants built and donated a Buddy Bench to the Seymour playground; students sit on the bench to let peers know they'd like to play with a friend.
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Dog Team Honored by Local Sheriff
 Corrections teams are always ready to support local law enforcement. When the Daviess County Sheriff's Office needed help tracking a fugitive, the Western Missouri Correctional Center Dog Team responded immediately, arriving with a K-9 unit on the scene near Winston, Missouri. The team quickly located the fugitive, who was then safely taken into custody. Last month Sheriff Larry Adams Jr. presented the team with a commendation in recognition of their work.
With an emphasis on "services," leaders from the Division of Human Services are visiting worksites throughout the state to share updates on what they can do for you. Learn about staff recruitment, training, trauma services, wellness programs, talent management, construction projects and more.
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New Officers Earn Training Award
Three new corrections officers recently earned the Director of Staff Training and Development's Coin of Excellence in Training.
The officers were nominated by their peers for their positive attitude and commitment to teamwork and recognized by training academy staff for excellence in attendance, appearance, class conduct and test scores.
Award recipients include Sarah Burgess and Wybrant Taylor from Western Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center and Garrett Schmidt from Ozark Correctional Center.
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Central Region Training Center Staff Earns Distinguished Service Award
The Central Region Training Center team earned the department’s Distinguished Service Award for going above and beyond to assist a new hire.
After overhearing that a new team member didn’t have proper shoes for her first day in uniform and couldn’t afford to buy them, the CRTC staff pooled their money and quietly made a donation to the trainee.
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New Probation & Parole Staff Complete Pre-Service Training
Welcome, new members of the P&P family!
 Western Region Training Center and Central Region Training Center graduates.
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 Eastern Region Training Center graduates.
Corrections Team Member Becomes Citizen
Just in time for the Independence Day holiday, Office Support Assistant Mona Crouse of Maryville Treatment Center, is becoming a U.S. citizen.
Crouse passed the U.S. citizenship test last month and is ready to take her oath.
Her supervisors recognized her hard work by decorating her office area in red, white and blue. Warden Todd Warren stopped by to offer congratulations.
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Reach
A new partnership with the construction industry company Tremco expands the reach of job-preparation and reentry services offered to Missouri offenders. Tremco will train offenders for careers in roofing and waterproofing and them help them get jobs after release. In similar partnerships with other departments of corrections, the Ohio-based company also has helped people involved in the criminal justice system overcome other obstacles to employment, such as reliable transportation.
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Reconfiguration
As part of our efforts to streamline operations and ensure collaboration among units, the Office of Reentry Services, currently housed in the Office of the Director, will join the Division of Offender Rehabilitative Services. An assistant division director will oversee both reentry services and education programs for the offender population.
Visiting Resumes for Vaccinated Offenders
Beginning this month, adult institutions will take the first step toward resuming a regular visiting schedule by opening visiting to all offenders who have been fully vaccinated. Offenders are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Visitors are not required to be vaccinated.
The vaccination requirement is not permanent; it is the first step toward reopening regular visiting. As more offenders get the vaccination and COVID conditions improve, regular visiting will resume for everyone, including those who have not been vaccinated.
Restrictions will be in place in the visiting room, including requiring face covers, limiting visiting rooms to 50% capacity and screening visitors for COVID symptoms. For details on new visiting procedures, see the chief administrative officer at your worksite.
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 Oooooohhhhmmmm
Members of the Probation & Parole District 25 team are taking charge of their well-being.The district recently held a staff wellness event featuring an introductory yoga class taught by Amal Saleh, community coordinator for the reentry partner organization Butler County Community Resource Center. "The class was universally praised by participating district staff," said District Administrator James Berry. "It is a tribute not only to fine instruction but also to our excellent team, who were willing to take control in difficult times by stretching boundaries."
Wellness Webinars
Take time to take care of yourself! The Missouri Department of Mental Health offers 30-minute webinars addressing wellness, mindfulness, stress management and coping skills, helping Missourians develop strategies for dealing with difficult times.
DMH CARES is offered 3-4 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Register online.
Watch past DMH Cares webinars.
Learn more about Show-Me Hope Missouri: www.moshowmehope.org.
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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.
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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