In Their Own Words

Michigan Corrections Officers and Forensic Security Assistants tell their stories – what it’s like working Michigan’s toughest job, and why they’ve dedicated their lives to serving the state of Michigan and its communities.

In Their Own Words

Michigan Corrections Organization – proudly representing Corrections Officers and Forensic Security Assistants for more than 40 years.

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Behind the walls of Michigan’s prisons, more than 6,500 hidden heroes work.

Their courage and caring qualifies them to stand between Michigan’s communities and the thousands of people incarcerated across the state. Although unacknowledged and underappreciated, they are a humane and constant force in Michigan correctional facilities and the Center for Forensic Psychiatry.

Much of what the public knows about Corrections Officers is what they’ve seen in movies or in the news. Often, corrections staff are portrayed negatively. For more than 30 years, Michigan Corrections Organization has been educating lawmakers and the public on the true nature of Corrections Officers and their work.

In the following pages, you’ll learn about corrections work from the people who know it best – Corrections Officers. In Their Own Words captures the observations and experiences of these committed public servants. As you read this magazine, a few themes will become clear. Corrections Officers and Forensic Security Assistants work tirelessly. They aren’t babysitters or guards; they’re professionals who manage a volatile population in a difficult setting. They are often mandated to work 16-hour double shifts due to short staffing. They see their jobs becoming increasingly dangerous, with the degradation of the inmate classification system and artificial overcrowding – while some housing units sit empty, others are double-bunked, creating a threat to the safety and security of staff and inmates. Some carry Tasers or pepper spray, but they don’t have all the resources or support of traditional law enforcement. They care about inmate success; firm but fair is their motto.

They have dedicated themselves to a dangerous, stressful job that few would want to do. But they do it with confidence and pride, thanks to their extensive training. It’s not a responsibility they take lightly, as you’ll read in these pages.

In Their Own Words is also about corrections officers’ lives outside of work. Many spend their off hours doing good across Michigan. Whether they’re serving veterans, coaching kids’ basketball, or volunteering at a food pantry, MCO members are stepping up to serve the communities where they work and live. When they see a need, they want to help. They prove officers are people trying to raise families, work hard, and give back.

Corrections Officers and Forensic Security Assistants have Michigan’s toughest job. But they’re people like you. Get to know a few of them as they tell their story In Their Own Words.

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Johnny Fountain Kinross MCO member since 1997 Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: My name is Johnny Fountain Jr. I have 20 years with the Department of Corrections. I started out in Newberry, did six years there, and then transferred to Kinross Correctional Facility. I’ve been there since.

I am a township trustee in the township of DeTour. My dad served as a DeTour township trustee for more than 25 years. I ran the year that he retired and I got the nod, so I’ve been there ever since. It’s been about ten years now.

I’m also a boys’ basketball coach. I have a 16-year-old son and he currently is playing basketball on the team that I coach.

Being a corrections officer is a lot like being in the military. We watch each others’ backs because we know that anything could happen at a moment’s notice, like the riot in September 2016. I was one of the last to leave when it started. That was just as mentally stressful as being in a war zone, if not more so. When you’re in the Marine Corp going into a combat situation, you’re prepared for that situation, you’re armed, you have your fellow Marines around you, and you’re confident. Yes, there’s fear; there has to be some fear to keep the edge. But in a riot, you’re helpless until the Emergency Response Team gets there, and I’m so thankful they got there. They did an outstanding job.

Q: What are the biggest issues facing corrections officers today?

A: To me, there’s three huge issues right now.

We‘ve got a private food system in there that does not work, and it’s making our jobs so much harder on a day-to-day basis. Facilities are more violent because of it. That’s number one.

Number two, there’s still overcrowding. We’ve got too many people in a little amount of space who have demonstrated they can’t play well Q: Why did you want to be a corrections officer? with others in society. Why would they play well A: I served my country first in the Marine Corps in prison? for four years. When I got out, for the area I And three is the security classification level. lived in, for one, it was a really We’ve got violent people who good job, and two, it was a job “I would caution, don’t don’t have violent classifications with what seemed like a lot of as far as their score and their security. Just a good way to look at us as overpaid numbers. make a living where I wanted to babysitters because stay. And I thought it was a very that is just so not the Q: What makes a good corrections rewarding job. I looked at it as a case. It’s a tough job, officer? professional job. Those were the A: Communication. You’ve got to reasons that drew me in. and it needs to have be able to communicate. If you

can’t communicate, then you’re good pay and good Q: What’s it like being a Michigan just going to be there. You have benefits.” corrections officer? to be able to communicate with A: A lot tougher than one would inmates and other staff and adthink. I think it totally gets overministration. It’s number one. looked as a tough job sometimes.

Two is consistent. You have to be consistent evIt gets a light shed on it like we’re glorified ery day. You’ve got to be you; you can’t be somebabysitters when in all actuality, it is a grind. It is one you’re not because you’ll get picked apart. a very tough job. It’s a job that you have to stay They’ll see through it. Those to me are the two mentally strong at or it’ll wear you down. biggest things, consistency and communication.

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Probably the third for me would be, just be as professional as you can at all times.

Q: How would you describe corrections officers as a group?

A: I think as a group they all have good intentions. I think the vast overwhelming majority of them are good people, who have a good set of values and just want to come, make a good living, and serve what they signed up for.

we should be.

It’s a good job as far as pay and benefits still but I would caution, don’t look at us as overpaid babysitters because that is just so not the case.

It’s a tough job, and it needs to have good pay and good benefits.

Q: Is it important for corrections officers to volunteer in their communities?

A: Yes, for sure.

First of all, it gets you out there and you need the camaraderie of good, positive people that are trying to Q: What should the do the right thing, public understand rather than all the about corrections negativity that you Above: MCO Executive Board Member Byron Osborn (left) with Founwork? deal with on a daily tain (center) and MCO Member Engagement Associate Olivia Toretta.

A: That it’s a very basis in prison. You dangerous job. need to get out in That it is a much-needed job as far as filling the your community and do something, anything. vacancies that we have and trying to get new

recruits to keep our facilities safe number-wise.

Q: Would you encourage other corrections offiWe never want to be understaffed. We’ve been cers to take leadership roles in their communigoing through some pains with retirements late- ties? ly, the attrition of facilities closing down, people A: Oh, for sure. That would be number one to retiring, and we’re just not backfilling the way me as far as getting out there. There’s nothing better than getting on one of your local boards or administrations, whether it’s Chamber of Commerce or anything like that. You need to get out there, and communication about corrections work is everything.

Fountain is the varsity boys’ basketball coach at DeTour High School in DeTour, MI.

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Caleb Follett Bellamy Creek MCO member since 2012 Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I’ve been with the MDOC at IBC for five years. I also serve in the USMC Reserves and I am currently working on a bachelor’s degree in psychology. My most enjoyable free time activity is spending time with my amazing wife and our two baby girls.

Q: Why did you want to be a corrections officer?

A: The funny thing about that is when I was in high school, I took a careers class where I filled out a questionnaire that informed me that corrections and firefighting were good fits for me.

I assume it keyed in on my natural inclinations toward the human services. I joined a volunteer fire department out of high school while working construction. Later on, I worked with juvenile offenders in various capacities, and I suppose transitioning to the adult system felt like a natural and progressive career move, so I took it.

Q: What’s it like being a Michigan corrections officer?

A: I’m proud to be a corrections officer in the state of Michigan in particular. Despite so many legislative and administrative challenges and setbacks corrections officers have faced in recent years, our local union remains strong and active.

Many other states have not fared so well in comparison, and officers have suffered wage decreases and unsatisfactory work conditions as a result.

Q: What are the biggest issues facing corrections officers today?

A: Corrections officers face an onslaught of issues that threaten the safety of our institutions.

This includes but is not limited to low staffing, prison shut downs which lead to overcrowding,

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privatization which creates a whole host of problems, and administration decisions that preclude officer’s valuable input before major changes are made. These types of issues have contributed to institutions that are less safe and officers with lowered morale.

Q: How would you describe corrections officers as a group?

A: Corrections officers are a diverse group and that is one of the reasons why I find corrections so interesting. Whether it’s from unique personalities, various background experiences, or the wisdom gained from years on duty, officers learn from and sharpen one another. Apart from differences, we all wear the same uniform, and there is a unity we possess that comes from our shared values as well. This includes the desire we all have to provide for our families and come home safe every day.

Q: What should the public understand about corrections work?

A: Corrections work is inherently dangerous and stressful, but it is work that is critical to the public good. Prison holds many of the most violent and predatory offenders that society has to offer and without the structured discipline that corrections officers provide within their walls, chaos would most certainly follow. The men and women who do the work of corrections are well trained in matters of custody and security. This specialization carries with it a unique skill set that allows institutions to operate fluidly and efficiently while order is maintained and the welfare of non-custody personal, as well as the inmate population, is protected.

As leaders from every branch of government discuss criminal justice reform and lowering recidivism rates, I find it important to note that corrections officers care about these topics and also possess experiential knowledge that cannot be replaced by (but perhaps can work in tandem with) academic models. I believe that effective reform can only come when corrections officers, those on the ground, are given a voice in these matters and an equal voice in the formulation and implementation of laws and policy decisions that will have a direct impact on the safety, well-being, and success of our institutions.

Patrick Dabb Ojibway MCO member since 1998 Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I’ve got about 19 years in as a corrections officer. I work at Ojibway Correctional Facility.

I have two boys and a wife. The boys are 15 and 12, and they keep me busy. I’ve been coaching Little League probably for about 13 years, and I’m a Little League board member. I’m a member of our Lutheran church. I have also coached youth basketball and youth football in the past.

Q: Why did you want to be a corrections officer?

A: I was actually working for a sheriff’s department, Dickinson County in the UP, and it was just a fun type job. The prison came open, and it fills my needs for our family. I just like what I do.

There’s good things and bad things just like any job, but I like what I do.

Q: What’s it like being a Michigan corrections officer?

A: It’s nice. You feel like you’ve got something special. Maybe other people don’t think that, but I do, and it pays my bills. I like putting a uniform on, I like the job that I do. I was an RUO (Resident Unit Officer), and when we lost RUO classification, I still stayed in the unit because that’s what I like doing.

Q: What are the biggest issues facing corrections officers today?

A: Well, I think it’s closures. You never know when the state’s going try to close a prison. I just want to know that until I retire, I’m going be here where I’m happy, for me and my family. So that’s my biggest fear. Otherwise, I do my job the way I think I should do it, the way it’s supposed to be done, so I don’t really have any other fears.

Q: What do you think makes a good corrections officer?

A: To do the job as the job descriptions say. To have fellow officers that back you up, and you back them up. So when you’ve got a good team that works together, it works well.

Q: How would you describe corrections officers as a group?

A: More unified. Everybody’s together in the same way. Everybody sticks together.

Q: What should the public understand about corrections work?

A: That’s a tough one. I always say that I wish the public could see what we do every day because some days are really crazy. Also, I think the public might be surprised to see the freedoms and privileges inmates have.

Q: Why did you want to give back to your community through volunteer work?

A: Well, it started through my kids. When they started with T-ball, I started coaching T-ball. I’m still doing it, and I enjoy it. I would say my goal is to make them better kids, for when they get to high school. If they do something wrong, it’s not just about baseball; it’s about, “you go out there and you shake their hand.” You go out there, and it’s not about the winning or losing, it’s about enjoying yourself and being a better person.

Q: Do you think it’s important for corrections officers to volunteer in their communities?

A: Yes. Officers volunteer in many ways. Many officers do things like Shop With a Cop, where law enforcement officers shop with kids for Christmas gifts. The kids that don’t get a lot really appreciate police officers and corrections officers shopping with them. It shows law enforcement in a positive light.

Q: Do you find volunteer work helps you decompress?

A: It does. It’s a little change of pace from what you’re doing in corrections and there’s so many different kids you can help out. It’s not only about my kids, it’s about other kids that I can help, too.

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Pamela Basal Marquette MCO member since 1990

times. The camaraderie of the staff is incredible.

You’ll never meet better staff than what we work with. It has its moments of sheer terror, but most of the time, it’s a great job. I never hide, as I put it. I never walk in scared, but I walk out thankful every day. It’s been great support for my family.

It’s provided me with a good income and great benefits for me and my family.

Through the years I’ve made dear, dear friends, and I’ve lost some dear friends throughout the years, too. Some of the people that I’ve lost were to suicide from the stress of the job, to be completely honest. Some of them died shortly after retiring because of alcoholism or those kinds of things. PTSD is very real for us.

It’s got its moments. But we do make a difference.

We do make a difference for these prisoners and you don’t always get to see it because the only thing you see are the ones that come back. You don’t get to see the ones who don’t come back, and at the U.P. State Fair is where I got to see that. I got to see those people who made something of their lives and were coming to the fair with their families. They told me over and over again, ‘Yeah, the programming was good, and I got my GED, but it was the officers in the unit that made the difference,’ that made sure that they got up, learned to be responsible, set an example for who they should be. We’re the ones that changed them.

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I started with the department in 1990 as a corrections officer at what was then called Alger Maximum Correctional Facility. I spent my first 16 years there while it was still a maximum security prison, and then transferred to Marquette Branch Prison where I have been ever since. I’ve been a Department of Corrections officer for 27 years. Throughout my career, I’ve done other acting positions like hearings investigator and grievance coordinator. I worked as a PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) performance auditor.

I’m a member of the TISM (Traumatic Incident Stress Management) team currently.

I’ve been an active member of MCO throughout my career, and also been a mentor for other people who have been part of MCO. I also promote the department in recruitment.

Recruitment events give corrections a very human face.

Personally I volunteer for the Employer Support Q: What do you think are the biggest issues facing of the Guard and Reserve, where I’m the UP area corrections officers today? chair. We do both employer outreach A: Lack of staff. I think if you were and military outreach. to read the 1981 Milliken Report, “We do make a I also volunteer at my son’s school. will explain it completely. It difference for these that was a report that was done shortly Q: Why did you want to be a correcprisoners and you after the 1981 riots. tions officer?

The fact that we no longer have A: I can’t tell you this has always been don’t always get to RUOs had a dedicated work see it because the RUOs. what I wanted to do. I was in college assignment in a particular unit and at Northern Michigan University. My only thing you see got to know those inmates and advisor said, ‘Hey, we have this thing are the ones that their personalities well. We no called Corrections.’ I’m like ‘OK, sign longer have retirement for staff to come back.” me up.’ So I was 19 years old when I help with retention. We’ve downjoined the department. graded our classification system.

Many inmates are assigned to an inappropriately Q: What’s it like being a Michigan corrections low level. officer?

But I will say though, the programming that A: It’s rewarding at times. It’s disappointing at the prisoners are receiving is better now than I

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have seen throughout any of the years that I’ve worked for the department. Programs like Thinking for Change really make a difference in these prisoners. So there’s some good things. The use of Tasers and chemical agents has been good, and there’s a lot less staff and inmates getting hurt because of those tools. But the lack of staff is a huge concern for myself and others.

Q: What do you think makes a good corrections officer?

A: Being impartial, being fair, being consistent.

Knowing that you have to leave the job at the job so that you can focus on your family, because that’ll bring you back in as a better officer. Knowing that there’s an outlet for the stress that you deal with, and that the things that we see every day aren’t normal. Knowing that you can let go, talk to people, and not hold it in. Being educated in what goes on, and taking pride in the job that you’re doing so that you can do a better job at it each day. Knowing that the prisoners have 24 hours a day to think of something that you’re only thinking about for 8 hours a day.

Q: What should the public understand about corrections work?

A: It’s not as easy as some people think. In some ways, it’s as difficult or more difficult than being a police officer because we’re dealing with the criminals once they’ve been convicted. It’s not about babysitting. Every day has its dangers and you have to be very diligent to watch for them. I think the public needs to know, too, that we have a good, strong crew in there; that’s the reason they don’t hear about the problems that are going on. It seems so easy and it seems so simple because we do our job and we do it well.

Q: Why do you give back to your community through volunteer work?

A: I’m a person that likes to help and so for me the more I can get involved, the more I can give back. I’ve been blessed. I’ve been blessed with many things in my life, and if I can give back some of those blessings and help somebody have just a little bit of a better day, to me that makes my day completely.

Q: Do you think it’s important for corrections officers to volunteer in their communities?

A: Oh, absolutely. I think it does two things.

Number one, it allows us to give back to those who have given to us but, two, I think that it opens that door of communication for the community to ask those questions of us and to see a different side of us than what we’re portrayed as in the media.

Q: How would you describe corrections officers as a group?

A: Tight-knit. They have each other’s backs. They’re wonderful members of our community who give back in so many ways. Most of the people that I talk to are referees at some game, or coaching little league, or playing hockey with their kids, donating their time at school, working on maybe the sled dog races, or the Walk for Alzheimer’s, or any number of the community events that happen in Q: Do you recommend Basal at work with a puppy in the Leader Dogs our area. They’re very much wantcorrections officers take for the Blind program. ing to give back of their time just as leadership roles in their commuch as they are giving of their time munities? at work. If an officer has a spouse that’s ill, we’ll A: I do. It gives you a sense of understanding of be running a chili fundraiser to help raise monhow a system works, knowing that something ey. We do things like the Special Olympics Polar needs to be organized. Being in those leadership Plunge and the Torch Run. We have employees’ roles will help you be a leader in the Department clubs that help donate towards some of our com- of Corrections, too. munity programs that come up during the year.

Just amazingly giving, solid people.

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Jeff Reasoner Jackson Transportation MCO member since 1999

Q: Why did you want to be a corrections officer?

A: When I was going to college, I was a law enforcement major, so my long-term goal was to become a police officer. I did not have an outside sponsorship police department, so I was going to have to pay for the academy out of pocket. So you're talking $4,000 to $6,000 out of pocket plus having to take five to six months off work to attend the academy. At the time one of my instructors at Lansing Community College was actually Carmen Palmer (now warden at Michigan Reformatory). She said, ‘DOC’s hiring right now.’ Then I thought, ‘Well, I don't have a sponsor police department, so I'll put in an application for the DOC and see what happens.’ The intent was, ‘I'll do a few years here and then I'll go back to the police academy.’ But then I got established here and it's been a good job.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: My name's Jeffrey Reasoner. I've been with the MDOC since 1999. I've been a Corrections Transportation Officer, CTO, for 3 years.

Prior to that I was an officer at the Cotton facility. For 10 years I was on the Emergency Response Team. I was a team leader and an ERT trainer. I’m also a member of the MDOC Honor Guard. I've been on the Honor Guard for 10 years.

Outside of work, I was a reserve deputy sherQ: What's it like being a Michigan Corrections iff for the Jackson County Sheriff's DepartOfficer? ment for about 9 years. I participate in Special A: That's kind of a hard question. The officers Olympics fundraising, like the Polar Plunge for the MDOC don't get a lot of respect. And and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. I think that just goes back to the old prison I also drew up the initial design for the MCO guard image back years ago when basically the Fallen Officers Memorial Coin. I'm an Army impression that the public had was that we veteran; I was a military police officer prior were all a bunch of goons that got a job with to my employment with the state, so I've had a set of keys and handcuffs, and they sent you challenge coins from the milinside. It’s been a long-term goal to itary. I designed my first coin change the public image.

Reasoner is well 10 or 12 years ago. One of known for designing the Jackson ERT members Q: What are the biggest issues facchallenge coins. was in a motorcycle accident ing corrections officers today? out in New York. He had to MCO thanks him A: Probably short staffing and be flown by helicopter back money issues, which any kind of for designing to Michigan and his family Civil Service department has to the MCO Fallen had to foot the bill for it. So deal with.

Officers Memorial we did a coin and we sold that statewide to all the commemorative coin. Q: What makes a good corrections ERT teams to raise money. officer?

That was the first one that I A: I think someone who is motivatdesigned and then it just kind of took off. I've ed to do the job for the right reasons. They're actually done about 10 or 12 different designs not here just for a paycheck, they're here since then. because they want to serve the public and they're here to do a good job, an honest job.

We are members of the criminal justice sys-

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tem, and the ones that actually realize that and a pretty small price to pay. think of themselves as corrections professionals do much better. And people Q: Is it important for correcthat have that leader instinct, “Don’t believe anything tions officers to volunteer in too. their communities? you see on television A: I think it's important. One, or in movies (about Q: How would you describe corI think we all have a responrections officers as a group? sibility to give back to our corrections work) A: I like to think of us as profescommunity. Plus, I think it because I have yet to sionals – professionals that are helps the community memsee anything come out bers and the public when they here to do a job and professionals that are here to protect the of Hollywood that is see us doing these things. It public. And we're members of the even remotely close to betters their opinion of corcommunity. We want to reprerections as a whole. As for my reality or puts us in the sent our department well, and we work with the MDOC Honor want to represent our community slightest positive light... Guard, I think a lot of that well.

It couldn’t be further came from my military background. I have a huge amount from the truth.”

Q: What should the public underof respect for people who stand about corrections work? give themselves freely up to A: Don't believe anything you see and including their life. Anyon television or in movies because I have yet body that loses their life wearing a uniform I to see anything come out of Hollywood that is think deserves every bit of respect that we can even remotely close to reality or puts us in the muster for them. And actually, I think a huge slightest positive light. Even the ones that are part of our department doesn't even realize remotely close to how facilities operate show how much of Honor Guard is actually on a that we're all dirty cops or we're all uneducat- voluntary basis. Most of the details we do are ed. It couldn't be further from the truth. If you unpaid. look at the people we're hiring nowadays, a lot of people that Q: What do you do to decomare hired as officers have adpress? vanced education.

I focus on my family. One huge advantage to being a CTO is I Q: Why did you want to give back work four ten-hour days, so I to your community through volhave a three-day weekend. That's unteer work? huge for me. I'll retire from this A: I'm a member of the Jackson job just because I love having community, and I think it's everythat family time. I'm a family guy. one's responsibility to do their I've got two kids of my own, two part to make their community stepchildren, and a wife that I as positive of an environment adore. Like I said, I had no huge as possible. If me jumping into a intention on getting into correcfrozen lake and freezing my butt tions, but it's been a good career Reasoner is a long-time member off for a few minutes in the Polar for me. of the MDOC Honor Guard.

Plunge or running in the Torch Run can help out some individuals, and it helps better their life a little bit, it's

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Ali Razzaq Cooper Street MCO member since 2015 Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: Before I came to the United States, I was a local linguist with the U.S. Army during the Iraqi Operation Freedom back in ’03. I decided to take that job, though it’s very risky and a lot of my friends died over there either during the war or due to being targeted by militias. But I stepped up over there to take that job and to do the right things. In addition to translating for U.S. forces, I once translated for Angelina Jolie. She came to one of the refugee camps at the Iraqi-Syrian border and I was her linguist. Before that I worked with a humanitarian organization called Mercy Corps.

I came to the States back in ’08. The U.S. Congress came up with a special immigrant visa only for U.S. local linguists in Iraq and I believe Afghanistan, too.

I got my papers processed at the U.S. embassy back in Damascus, Syria. The embassy agent asked me, “What do you want to do over there in the United States? Why would you go there?”

I told him, “It’s a great country and I want to join the Army.” I did, and I was in the Michigan Army National Guard. My unit is called Troop Command. I left the Army in April 2014, but I’m still on reserve status.

Q: Why did you want to be a corrections officer?

A: I came to the United States, I was in the Army, and I just wanted to be part of law enforcement.

It’s challenging. First, I love to have a challenge in my career, do the right thing, and help prisoners to transform to be better citizens when they leave the prison. After all, I’m doing it for my country, a country who welcomed me and put my feet back on the ground again.

Q: What is it like being a Michigan corrections officer?

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A: It’s tough, mentally, it’s very tough. There’s a lot of challenge with this job on a daily basis.

You’ve got to have this tolerance, flexibility, and communication skills. So if somebody doesn’t have the communication skills, tolerance, and patience, then he’s not in the right spot. Because these inmates need somebody to talk to. Prisoners need advice.

Q: How would you describe corrections officers as a group?

A: Corrections officers can be a very strong, tight family. Because we are kind of in a war zone; we’re not different than being a soldier in the battlefield. Things can change in a second so we have to support each other, protect each other, and have to all agree. Even if we have a disagreement on something, even when we don’t like each other, sometimes for no reason, we have to support each other when things go down. These days we’ve got a lot of overcrowded prisons. Things can change instantly, in a second, and it’s going be you and your fellow officers next to you, that’s it.

Q: What should the public understand about corrections work?

A: Sometimes when I think about being a corrections officer, I think, ‘What if I quit this job? Who is going to take my place and take care of these prisoners and deal with them? How can I make sure that my girlfriend or my neighbor or my friends are going to be safe if I’m not going to do the job?’ If no one wants to do this job, it’s going to be really tough on our community. I think it’s a very important job, and people should appreciate that.

Corrections officers are sacrificing and they give a lot of their time and their effort dealing with these guys. And I’m proud of it. We’re doing something for our country. We’re protecting our friends, our neighbors, everyone outside the prison by taking care of these inmates and trying to mold them into better people when they leave the prison.

Q: What do you do outside of work?

A: I’m trying to learn a third language right now, Spanish. I attend a lot of salsas, and I’ve been to South America twice. I love traveling. I travel a lot. I love to explore different things; that’s my main hobby.

Kelly Burse-McIntyre Forensic Center MCO member since 1995 Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I’ve been a Forensic Security Assistant (FSA) for 22 years at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry. The Forensic Center is part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and our patients are people who have been found incompetent to stand trial or their competency is being evaluated.

I do a lot of extra things at work besides the FSA aspect of the job. I help with a program at work called Family Education Therapy. It’s a support group for the parents of our patients so they can come in and understand what their loved one is going through. The social workers come in, and they’ll have a speaker come in. They’ll talk to the families about the different diagnoses and everything that their loved ones may be experiencing. I interact with the families, with the social workers, and speakers that come in.

I do the vacation book at work, and I also do the MCO chapter elections at work. I would say if we have 200 patients, I’ve got a good rapport with about 195 of them. Because I just about know every one that we get. I work in the admissions unit, but I work a lot of overtime in other units. I love my job.

I attend Revelation Church of Holiness in Detroit. I do a lot with the fundraisers for the kids’ sports.

I also have a 29-year-old daughter and a 13-yearold son.

Q: What’s it like being an FSA? A: I’ll say it’s a great job for me and the type of personality that I have because I like to talk to people and I like to help people. If a patient or a person is having a trying time, some people can’t deal with it, they’ll just throw their hands up in the air and walk away. But I like to kind of get to

the issue. I let the person or the patient rant.

And after they’ve done that, then I come in, and say, ‘Okay, so let’s talk. Why do you feel this way? What can I do to help you be better?’ Sometimes it helps patients to walk with them, talk with them, give them a moment to feel like they’re the most important thing right now. So I think it’s a great experience. It’s not for everybody because I don’t think everybody has the tolerance that others may have, but I love it.

Q: What are the biggest issues facing FSAs? A: Our safety. Not having enough staff. There’s a lot of things they want us to do. They want staff to do two or three jobs.

And then besides, when you’re running short like that, our safety is a big issue. I work in the admissions unit and it stays hot. By that I mean we have a lot of young people coming in and a lot of assaultive people coming in.

Q: What do you think makes a good FSA? A: Overall, I think your attitude. You have to have a good, positive attitude. I think having the proper attitude and ethics is important Q: How would you describe FSAs as a group?

A: As a group I think we do look out for one another. I think we are team players, we have each other’s back, and we make sure that we are safe.

Q: What should the public understand about working at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry?

Because we’re not labeled like a corrections facility, because we’re not like the actual corrections officers in a uniform, and because we’re not a facility where we can lock down if we need to in a state of emergency, I don’t think that the public thinks that we’re as important as corrections officers. But indeed we are because we have fewer tools to work with it. In a prison you’ve got lockdowns, you can call count, check cells, or whatever you need to do. We have none of that.

It’s dangerous for us because we have psychotic people. Patients like that, when they’re having a psychotic breakdown, they have incredible strength. And that at the Forensic Center, we’re focused on therapy.

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Steven Smith West Shoreline MCO member since 1994 Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I’m a corrections officer at the West Shoreline Correctional Facility in Muskegon. I’ve been an officer for 23 years. I am a deacon at my church, True Light Missionary Baptist Church, in Grand Rapids. I was a crime prevention organizer for the Southeast Community Association, which was a neighborhood association, from 1989 to 1991. I’m also a former president of the board of directors for the Southeast Community Association. As a crime prevention organizer, I was responsible for shutting down the first high-volume crack houses in Grand Rapids in 1989 and 1990, working in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Police Department.

I did a number of community events in which we tried to address problems dealing with our youth. We had a panel discussion dealing with the youth gathering at the corner of Eastern and Franklin in Grand Rapids. We would have about 500 kids at that intersection and down Franklin Street, clogging up the street, causing chaos.

With some community leaders, we brainstormed types of ways in which we could give our kids alternatives to hanging out and getting into trouble. We called it the Eastern Franklin Task Force.

Out of that came night court basketball which was done by the Grand Rapids Police Department at a county recreation center.

I headed some of our drug marches on Wealthy Street and on Hall and Madison in 1990. We converged and we marched in these high-volume drug areas. We were working against drug dealers and letting the community know that we were fighting to take our neighborhoods back.

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Q: What is it like being a Michigan Corrections Officer?

A: It’s exciting because every day you never know what’s going to happen. It can be a grind because you’re doing this day after day after day. I’ve done it for 23 years, and you get into a routine to a point. But there’s always something that’s going to pop up that’s going to change your day to make it better or make it worse.

Q: What are the biggest issues facing corrections officers today?

A: Not so much for those like me that have the pension retirement, but for the new guys, retirement seems to be the biggest concern. State employees hired since 1997 don’t have a pension.

Even though they have the 401(k), they’re still concerned knowing that the way the market is – after what happened in 2008 and 2009 – they could lose their whole investment or a large part of their investment.

Staffing is a huge concern. We’re constantly having situations in which we’re mandating overtime, especially for the new officers. They are looking at being mandated all the time, a specific officer sometimes two times, three times a week.

Q: What in your opinion makes a good corrections officer?

A: An officer that pays attention to detail. An officer that is fair. An officer that is honest. An officer that is dedicated to doing their job.

Q: How would you describe corrections officers as a group?

A: We’re necessary, but the public likes to forget us. They would prefer not to think of us and what we do, even though we are very necessary for the public and for society.

Q: What should the public understand about corrections work?

A: That it is a dangerous business. It is a business in which we are definitely short-handed. Our staffing levels are low, which makes it even more dangerous for our officers. But we’re not really seen for the work that we do.

We diffuse a lot of situations that potentially

could be much worse. It is alarming that they’ve cut down so much of the training, because there is a difference between the officers that had the training at the academy before six years ago and what they’re receiving now.

the choir, and I have chaired different functions at church. We have a Men’s Day Program that I chaired two or three years in a row. When I was at the Southeast Community Association, we did a street fair, and I took what I learned putting together a street fair and we did it for the church.

We essentially gave back to the community and said hello to the community.

Q: Why did you want to give back to your community through volunteer work?

A: I love the city of Grand Rapids. I grew up in Grand Rapids. I went to col“Some people don’t trust lege in Atlanta and after seeing how things worked in Atlanta, police officers, and they I wanted to see the same type don’t trust corrections of things implemented in Grand officers ... It’s individuals Rapids. I wanted our commulike myself and others nities in Grand Rapids to be as safe as possible. Seeing the that meet them, talk rise, at that time an explosion, to them, and change of drugs, and what they were their minds. They’re like doing to our communities, I just felt it was an obligation that ‘You’re not what I thought myself and others get involved a corrections officer to fight the problem that we typically would be.’ That’s were having in our community.

important because we have been stereotyped so many times, and this is the only way, by us being active and being seen in our communities, that we break those stereotypes.”

Q: Is it important for corrections officers to volunteer in their communities?

A: Oh, yes. It’s very important for corrections officers to be seen as individuals that do more than just watch inmates, that do have a vested interest in the community.

It really is important for people to see that we’re more than that because sometimes they can get a distorted opinion about corrections by what they see on TV and what they hear on the news. They need to see us doing other things that are tangible in the community, that they can relate to.

Q: Tell me a little more about your leadership role in your church.

A: I’ve been a deacon for about four or five years at True Light Missionary Baptist Church. Grew up in that church. My father used to be chairman of the deacon board at that church. I sang in

Q: Has your leadership role helped you introduce corrections topics in your community to raise the profile of corrections officers?

A: All the time. Everyone mostly knows that I am a corrections officer, and they ask me questions about corrections all the time. They ask my opinion about things that are happening, things that may come up in corrections. They’re always asking questions, trying to understand the world that exists in corrections because it’s so much different than society outside.

Q: Do you recommend corrections officers take leadership roles in their communities?

A: Oh, without a doubt. That’s one of the best ways for us to be liaisons to the community so that they can see that what they see on TV and on the news does not define corrections officers as a whole. Some people don’t trust police officers, and they don’t trust corrections officers. They have a very negative opinion about both, but it’s individuals like myself and others that meet them, talk to them, and change their minds. They’re like ‘You’re not what I thought a corrections officer typically would be.’ That’s important because we have been stereotyped so many times, and this is the only way, by us being active and being seen in our communities, that we break those stereotypes.

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Richie Gallatin Gus Harrison MCO member since 1990 Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: My name is Richie Gallatin, and I’ve been with the Department of Corrections for 27 years, presently working at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, Michigan. I started my career inside the walls at Jackson. Then I transferred to Adrian temporary. Then in 1992 I went to what was called the Corrections Center in Adrian, and I was there until that closed in 2001. I ended up going over to the Gus Harrison Facility. My duties at the institution have included everything from the Alert Response Vehicle Officer to Public Works until they closed that program down.

I was involved with the community a lot with the prisoners through public works. We worked at the local college, Siena Heights University, and we did a lot of painting and remodeling for them.

We also did stuff at Adrian College and for the City of Milan. We did concrete, we poured sidewalks. We weren’t just picking up trash, we were actually doing a lot of projects that benefited the community, till they shut that program down.

Outside of work I’m on the school board at Sand Creek Community Schools. I’ve been on the school board for probably eight years now. I was the secretary for the last few years, and now this year I’m the treasurer. Sand Creek is about seven miles south of Adrian. I graduated from here, and lived here my whole life.

I am involved with the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. My wife helps coach swimming for Special Olympics. My youngest daughter participates; she has Down Syndrome. Last summer I had a motorcycle ride to try and raise money. And we did the polar plunge. The total that Gus Harrison sent last year to Special Olympics was about $6,500, so we did well. That money goes to the Special Olympics and that helps pay for their equipment and medals, for training, all the coaches, and it helps to cover their room

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and board for all the Olympic games. The summer games are at Central Michigan University.

My oldest daughter is a school teacher in the Adrian Public School System. She teaches special ed. And then my middle daughter works over in Grand Rapids.

I go to church at Sand Creek Community Church.

I’m a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

And also this year I was an assistant basketball coach for the JV girls’ basketball. I coached my daughters when they were younger, too.

Q: Why did you want to be a corrections officer?

A: My cousin worked for the department and he had mentioned something to me. This was shortly after I got out of high school and of course, I said ‘You’re nuts. Why would I want to do anything like that?’ Then I ended up going to a meeting down here in the community when they were starting to build the prison. The pay and the benefits were good, and they had a retirement. I’m under the old pension system.

I started my career with the state, and about three or four years later, I get a call from the local police department, saying, ‘Hey, we want you to come and work for us.’ I contemplated it. My brother-in-law worked for the police department at that time and he told me, ‘Your retirement and benefits are a lot better than what we’ve got. You should stay where you’re at.’ So I ended up staying with the Department of Corrections. I haven’t regretted it. I’ve had a good career.

Q: What’s it like being a Michigan corrections officer?

A: You know, I think it’s a good job. I feel I give back to the community. The number one thing is the safety of the community. I think we help keep the community safe.

This job is what you make it. You can go in and just put in your eight hours, or you can make a difference. I was always taught that you do a job and give your all, and that’s what I’ve tried to do.

I don’t just treat it as eight hours – eight and hit the gate. If I feel I can make a difference, I try to.

I think I have a good rapport with our administration, so I feel that when I say something that I think might help to improve our work, I think they listen.

Q: What are the biggest issues facing corrections officers today?

A: I would say the legislature trying to take benefits and things away. There’s a push to break up unions. I’m a strong union supporter. I try to tell people the reason we have what we have is because of the unions. We have an eight-hour work day. If you go back and think about it – the early days when workers were starting to unionize – people forget that there were people who gave their lives so that we could have a fair wage and the benefits that we have. I think they’re trying to take that stuff away. We wouldn’t have what we have if it hadn’t been for those people in the past that fought, and, like I say, actually lost their lives on those picket lines.

Our legislature is taxing the pensions, and I think that’s wrong. Pensioners didn’t know to plan for that.

and the community.

Q: What makes a good corrections officer?

A: I would say that you have to be fair, you have to be firm, and you have to be flexible. You have to have integrity. You say you’re going to do something, and you follow through. Be honest, and don’t compromise your values.

Q: Why did you want to give back to your community through volunteer work?

A: I’ve always felt that you can be one of those people that complain about things – you can stand on the side and criticize and say, ‘why are they doing this’ or ‘they should do this.’ But I’m one of those people that says, ‘You can sit and complain, or you can try to do something about it.’

I was raised that you respect the flag, you respect the country, you respect your family, your leaders, and you try and give back when you can.

And I’ve felt fortunate that the job that I’ve got has allowed me to be able to do that. I can give back to the community, and it’s a positive feeling when you give back to the community.

Q: What should the public understand about corrections work?

A: That it is a tough job quite frankly. You have to be able to restrain yourself when a prisoner throws feces on you or anything like that. I mean, obviously, the human reaction or want is to retaliate, but that’s what makes you a professional, is when you don’t do that. You use the correct tools that we have and deal with that. Also, we have the unit there with inmates who self-mutilate and things like that. They are in what we call the Residential Treatment Program unit. I don’t think the public quite realizes those types of things that officers deal with on a daily basis and the stress of that. Like I say, you have to be able to sort of handle that and disconnect from that when you leave work.

Q: How would you describe corrections officers as a group?

A: I think for the most part, the majority of us try to carry on and be professional. Everybody likes to say, ‘Oh, you’re a guard.’ Well, we’re more than that. We are part of the law enforcement community. I’ve talked to police officers that say, ‘I couldn’t do what you do.’ And I feel that way too about them.

We know going in there what is possible, so every day that you walk out of there the same way you walked in, I think that’s a great day. You walked out, you weren’t injured, you go home.

Richie Gallatin at a Special Olympics event with My biggest advice to peofamily. ple is leave work at work.

Once you leave work, forget about it, and concentrate on enjoying your family

Q: Do you think it’s important for corrections officers to volunteer in their communities?

A: Yes, I do. It lets people know that you are human and that you care. That you’re not just here in this community working, but you live in the community, and you care what’s happening in the community. You want to be an integral part of it.

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Nichole Sheffield Central Michigan MCO member since 1997

Q. Why did you want to be a corrections officer?

A: Actually, Lake Superior State was offering the classes for it and I was a couple years out of high school, so I thought I’d give it a try.

Q: What’s it like being a Michigan corrections officer?

A: I am one of the people that actually still loves my job even after 20 years. Some days it’s really hard, and other days you kind of breeze through it. We have three sex offender units at Central Michigan. I work in one of them, and there is a lot of therapy that goes on in these units. So having the background of teaching several classes throughout my years has given me a lot of experience. So when the guys have questions, they tend to come to me, and I can help them out.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: My name is Nichole Sheffield. I’ve been a corrections officer for 20 years. I started off at URF (Chippewa), then went down to the (former) Gilman TRV camp. Then I came to Standish and worked at Standish for quite a while. I started teaching classes to the inmates, like Cage Your Rage. And then, when Standish closed, I transQ: What are the biggest issues facing corrections ferred to Central Michigan. I continued teaching officers today? classes to inmates, then wound up becoming a master instructor for Thinking for a Change while A: Low staffing. All the cuts that the state is doing right now are really affecting the officers. Having I was there. I was also a PA 415 officer training outside contractors come in and doing our food instructor. And I became a master instructor for Thinking for a Change. I’m also the MCO Chapter service has created a lot of issues. But mostly I think it’s the staff cuts. It makes it really dangerSecretary. ous for the officers who are working Outside of work I’ve been inside when there’s so few of us to “It makes it really working with the superindo the same job there was when we tendent of Charlton Hesdangerous for the had more staff. ton Academy. It’s a charter officers who are working school in St. Helen, Michigan. inside when there’s so Q: What makes a good corrections I actually was on the original committee to open the few of us to do the same officer?

A: Somebody who’s well-balanced. school. I’ve been working job there was when we Somebody that has good communiwith the superintendent to cation skills and can talk to people. had more staff.” open up a scholarship founKnows how to balance joking along dation for students. And I’ve with being serious and knows when also worked with the PTO, to use the two. Somebody who’s willhelped run fundraisers, the book fair, things like ing to train other people. I’m also involved with that. the mentor program at work for the new staff I’ve also worked at Helping Hands. All the stuff coming in. My philosophy on the mentor program that is donated to Helping Hands is given away to the community members for free. I go in there is if we can train the new staff on the right way to do the job, they’re less of a liability. They’re more and I help unload stuff, put it on the shelves, and capable of doing a job if we train them correctly. clean up a little bit for the public.

They’ll know the things to look for. They’ll know I have four children. And my husband and I just to be looking at hands, looking at movements, opened a dune buggy store, selling parts and and not to be looking at the floor when they’re services, and working on other people’s dune doing rounds. buggies to get them running.

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Q: How would you describe corrections officers as was helped. a group?

A: I think corrections officers as a group are Q: Is it important for corrections officers to volunvery dedicated. We feel like family, the majoriteer in their communities? ty of us. We’re always A: I think it is. Just looking out for each from the people I others’ backs. We’re work with, there’s so making sure that evmany great people erybody walks out the that do so many great door safely at the end things. We have evof shifts. And that we erything from coachcan also work with the es to school board inmates to make sure members. I think that they are being every bit helps betrained in the right cause we’re not just way – that they know correction officers, the classes that they’re we’re people. We’re in, making sure that living in our commuSheffield (center) at an educational picket in 2012 when full-time they’re going to their nities, and we want to Perimeter Security Vehicle rounds were ended. call outs, things like that. make our communities better. Not only for Q. What should the public understand about corourselves, but our kids and everybody else’s kids. rections work?

And if we can all come together and do that, I A: Although it may not be a dangerous job every think it makes everything better. day, it has the opportunity to be a dangerous job. Our public school in St. Helen where our kids And that we are there to protect went decided to close, and not only ourselves and the inso we decided as a town we “There’s so many great weren’t going to stand for mates, but also the public. We do a good job doing that. We’re not people that do so many that. We wanted a school in just overpaid people that sit on our great things. We have our town. The next school is backside all day long. We are up, 20 minutes away. My neighbor everything from coaches we are moving, we are doing our had mentioned, ‘Why don’t we jobs. And the majority of us want to school board mem- open a charter school?’ We’re to do a good job. bers. I think every bit like, ‘What’s a charter school?’

And then my friend and I just helps because we’re not Q: Why did you want to give back researched and researched through volunteer work? just correction officers, how to set up a charter school.

A: Actually when I was young, I was we’re people. We’re liv- We started having these meeta single mom. I had one year in the ings where a lot of town people ing in our communities, would come and we would disdepartment when I got my divorce from my ex. I didn’t even have a and we want to make our cuss what we were doing, how car; I walked everywhere. When I we were going to do it, and communities better.” left, I left with nothing except me how we were going to raise the and my kids. I had really good peomoney to do it. And then we ple that I was surrounded by who also had to get a vote. When actually offered help. I had one person who gave the Charlton Heston Academy opened, we startme a car, and another person threw me a party, ed off with right around 100 kids; we’re now at where I got dishes and things that I needed for about 700. We’re in the old existing school buildthe house. And I feel like it’s my job to give back ing. It’s been quite a journey, but it’s well worth it now. I feel like I should help the next person like I for the kids.

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About MCO MCO is a labor union representing more than 6,500 Corrections Officers and Forensic Security Aides who work for the state of Michigan. MCO is dedicated to serving those who have Michigan’s toughest jobs.

MCO Chapter Presidents Larry Henley, Alger Ed Clements, Baraga Lorraine Emery, Bellamy Creek James Wexstaff, Brooks Eric Stott, Carson City Byron Osborn, Chippewa Marcus Collins, Detroit Detention Gary Smith, Detroit Reentry Rene Patino, Cotton Paul Jones, Egeler Joe Voorheis, FOA Mack Walker, Forensic Center Scott Waggoner, Gus Harrison

MCO State Executive Board Tom Tylutki, President Andy Potter, Vice President Bill Henderson,Treasurer Brent Kowitz, Recording Secretary

Dave Pasche, Michigan Training Unit Latese Walls, Huron Valley Womens Paul Jensen, Ionia Ricky Ries, Jackson Cooper Street Carlos Molina, Kinross Jonathan Hoath, Lakeland Ponda Esu, Macomb Edward Snively, Marquette John Bott, Central Michigan Branden TerHaar, Muskegon Teresa Nolan, Newberry

MCO Staff Andy Potter, Chief of Staff Tangee Laza, Member Engagement Director Karen Mazzolini, Member Engagement Director Cherelyn Dunlap, Member Benefits Director Jeff Foldie, Legal Director Shawn Davis, Legal Associate Anita Lloyd, Communications Director Tara Nichol, Member Benefits Associate Stephanie Short, Grievance Coordinator

Byron Osborn, Trustee Cary Johnson, Trustee Ed Clements, Trustee Ray Sholtz, Trustee Scott Waggoner, Trustee

Mark Dunn, Oaks Gabe Justinak, Ojibway Brent Kowitz, Parnall Adam Earley, Michigan Reformatory Bill Henderson, Saginaw Monoletoe McDonald, SAI Program Robert Fisher, St. Louis Patrick McGough, Thumb Angela King, West Shoreline John Hassen, Woodland

Lori Iding, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff Cindy Kogut, Finance and Human Resource Coordinator Jeremy Tripp, Director of Governmental & Political Affairs Olivia Toretta, Member Engagement Associate Jim McHenry, Member Engagement Associate Valarie Mosley, Receptionist

Michigan Corrections Organization 421W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48933 mco-seiu.org mail@mco-seiu.org Phone: (800)451-4878 Fax: (517)485-3319 al:MCOPS/NSO 4/26/17