WCCF News: What's Happening at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (10/2018)

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.

Chaplain, Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Copyright (c) 2018

#MTCChangesLives

-------------------------

This is a collection of news briefs I wrote for The Woodville Republican (Woodville, Miss.). The collection is set to appear as a quarter-page ad on Thursday, October 25, 2018. Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF), Woodville, where I serve as chaplain, is publishing its news in this format each quarter in the local newspaper.

What’s Happening At

Wilkinson County Correctional Facility

Photo captions: 

Instructor Santhie Womack leads the horticulture class at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility. Instructor Larry Jackson leads WCCF’s Facilities Care program.

-----------

10 Men Move Closer to OSHA Exam

Ten incarcerated men in the Facilities Care program at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) have passed the basic safety test – the first essential test -- in Module 1 of the Core Curriculum Book that is used in the program. They are now eligible to take the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exam for certification. The class is taught by Instructor Larry Jackson, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Alcorn State University. He has certifications in carpentry and structural welding. “This is a college level test,” said Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey.

  

WCCF Celebrates 5-year Anniversary

Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) held a special luncheon to celebrate Management & Training Corporation’s (MTC) 5-year anniversary as operator of the Woodville facility. Monique Alexander, administrative assistant, organized the event which took place on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. More than 80 people attended, including 30 guests and the 50 staff members who were honored for their five years of service.

10 Men Earn GEDs

Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey reported 10 incarcerated men earned their GEDs over the last couple of months. She credited her staff for making the achievement possible because of their hard work and creativity. The students also showed dedication, she said.

Maintenance Crew Repairs AC Units

Maintenance Manager Mitchell McGraw and his team accomplished a herculean feat in August by repairing the AC units in the facility’s gym. McGraw said the repairs saved the facility $19,000.

  

Carter Named Job Coordinator

WCCF honored Case Manager Monica Carter as employee of the month for April. She became case manager job coordinator in July.

  

Team Offers “Care” To Staff

The WCCF Care Team, led by Unit Manager Erika Perkins, has been issuing fruit baskets to staff members who are out due to illness or injury. The kind gesture is one of many things the team does in the interest of being B.I.O.N.I.C. – “Believe It Or Not I Care.” From June 17 to 22, Perkins participated in the CARE Leader Training Adventure at the MTC Corporate Office in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Carter, Coleman Named King And Queen of MTC

Instructor Allen Carter was named Mr. MTC, and Drug and Substance Abuse Counselor Angela Coleman was named Ms. MTC during the 2018 homecoming celebration of Wilkinson County High School. Carter and Coleman rode in the school parade as king and queen for MTC.

#PrivatePrisons

----------------------------------
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.