Chaplain/PIO, Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
This is a collection of news briefs I compiled for The Woodville Republican (Woodville, Miss.). The collection is set to appear as a quarter-page ad on Thursday, February 4, 2021. Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF), Woodville, where I serve as chaplain and public information officer (PIO), is publishing its news in this format each quarter in the local newspaper.
WCCF News
What’s
Happening at
Wilkinson
County Correctional Facility
(February 2021)
DeRevere Is New Deputy
Warden of Operation
William “Bill” DeRevere is the new deputy warden of operations
at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF). DeRevere has worked in both
Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
contracted facilities and has extensive experience on the security side along
with a comprehensive understanding of STG/Staff Investigations. Warden Scott
Middlebrooks said he looks forward to working with DeRevere “as we continue to
focus on operational excellence.”
Former Investigator Sherail McCray is the human resource
manager for WCCF, Warden Scott Middlebrooks announced in November 2020.
“Sherail has worked extremely hard in her previous position as Investigator,”
he said, adding her hard work and talent will help in recruiting and hiring
quality staff for the facility. “I’m sure she will also make a difference in
the day-to-day matters related to human resources,” he said. McCray graduated
in December 2020 with a bachelor of science degree in healthcare administration
from Jackson State University.
Volunteer Chaplain Adrian Fairchild presented Kairos
members with a Thanksgiving meal in November. Kairos is one of many religious
programs held at WCCF, where incarcerated men come to pray and share
testimonies about their relationship with the Lord. Volunteers John Layton and
Tony Bevill assisted with the program.
WCCF honored four staff members for their exemplary work
over the past several months. In addition to Correctional Officer Jennifer
Hill, who was named Employee of the Month for October 2020, the facility
recognized Substance Abuse Counselor Angela Coleman as Employee of the Month
for November 2020. Reentry Coordinator Keyla Williams received the honor for
December 2020, and Recreation Specialist Jason Pittman accepted the recognition
for January.
Thanks to a program implemented by Programs Director
Tracey Arbuthnot, WCCF staff is learning to speak Spanish. The class is led by
two Spanish-speaking offenders. It is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.
Arbuthnot said the program, which is a first, is an important one that is fun,
informative, and practical. She said staff looks forward to attending each
class.
Several WCCF leaders have been promoted. Darrick Fair and
Kelly Jenkins have been promoted to captain, after having served as
lieutenants. Geneva Sims has been promoted to Substance Abuse Counselor. She
previously worked as a zone sergeant. Terry Daniels, who previously worked as a
unit manager, is the new Captain of Emergency Preparedness. Lt. Michelle
Higginbotham, who worked as the executive administrative assistant, is now the
WCCF investigator.
For the men incarcerated at WCCF, the entire month of
December was a time of festivities, Christmas meals, and numerous programs, as
well as special worship services led by the Rev. Nelson Fears in celebration of
Christmas. Deputy Warden of Programs George Castro said he was more than
pleased with the activities. “This is just what the men need,” he said. “These
programs help to relieve stress. At the same time, they provide them with time
to do something that is constructive.”
WCCF honored Case Manager Supervisor Monica Carter as
Supervisor of the Quarter for the 4th Quarter in 2020 and Human Resource
Manager Sherail McCray as Supervisor of the Quarter for the 1st Quarter in
2021. Carter said she was happy about the honor. “I really like my job and I
appreciate the recognition,” she said. “It is a blessing.” Carter has been
employed for 18 years at the facility, where she began as a Correctional
Officer. She also worked as a case manager and job placement coordinator.
McCray shared similar thoughts about the recognition, saying it’s always good
to be recognized. McCray, who previously worked as an investigator, said she is
in a good place in her life and she welcomes the new challenges that come with
the job.
MTC/WCCF recently recognized Case Manager Supervisor Monica Carter and Sgt. Danesha Selvage as Celebrating Excellence Winners for 2020. Carter received special recognition as the Program Services Employee of the Year, and Selvage received the honor as Security Employee of the Year for 2020.
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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his website: http://www.roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com.
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