Thursday, February 14, 2019

WCCF News (2/2019): What's Happening at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Chaplain, Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Copyright (c) 2019

#MTCChangesLives


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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, Feb. 14, 2019. 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 #1: Warden Scott Middlebrooks

Photo #2: Kelly Pomeroy

Photo #3: Deputy Warden of Program Tonya Toomey and Chaplain Felton Quiett

Scott Middlebrooks is new warden at WCCF

Scott Middlebrooks of Milton, Fla., has taken the reins as the new warden of Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF). He follows Warden Jody Bradley who retired in January. Middlebrooks began his career in corrections with the Florida Department of Corrections in 1998 as a correctional officer. A few months later, he accepted a job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he spent 25 years before retiring. WCCF is Middlebrooks’ fourteenth correctional facility and his seventh facility as warden. He’s served as warden for the past 15 years. He and his wife now live in Mississippi, which puts them about halfway between their two daughters. One is back in Milton and the other is in Houston. The one in Houston has a baby boy—Scott’s only grandchild.

Education Department close to CEA accreditation

Auditors of the Correctional Education Association (CEA) have recommended WCCF’s Education Department for CEA accreditation. CEA is a professional association of educators and administrators that provides educational services to adults and juveniles in correctional settings. When a facility passes all of the standards of CEA, it receives an automatic pass for the education portion of the American Correctional Association (ACA) audit. For CEA, compliance is important in meeting the educational needs of those incarcerated. The association’s standards are high and rigorous.

Kelly Pomeroy is new Human Resource Manager

Kelly Pomeroy, a native of Florida, is the new Human Resource Manager at WCCF. She has worked in Human Resources/Employee Benefits since 2008. She transferred to WCCF from East Mississippi Correctional Facility, Meridian, Miss. Before coming to Woodville, Pomeroy lived with her two daughters in Philadelphia, Miss., their home since 2006. 

15 men earn GEDs

Fifteen men incarcerated at WCCF recently earned their GEDs. They graduated in a special ceremony in the presence of their family, WCCF staff, and other offenders.Graduates included Valedictorian Marlon Reed, Salutatorian Matthew Courtney, Antonio Jones, Alonzo Haines, Chenzar Williamson, Johnathan Britt, Montrell Gibson, Korey Gibbs, Patrick Nelson, Markieth Griffin, James Mosley, Anthony Trevillion, Jabar Hayes, Armani Burks and Melvin Winder.

Chaplain John W. Henry named 2018 Volunteer of the Year

The Rev. John W. Henry of Lucedale was named the 2018 Volunteer of the Year at WCCF. He received the honor at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet held at the facility on December 13. Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey presented Henry with a plaque in appreciation for his “outstanding service, dedication, and invaluable contribution to the Religious Programs at WCCF.” She also presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation. Henry attended the banquet with his wife, Melinda.

18 men complete drug and alcohol class

A total of 18 incarcerated men completed the facility’s “Long Term Drug and Alcohol” class. They graduated on January 8. The six-month course was taught by Substance Abuse Counselor Angela Coleman, who said the students included those from General Population and Protective Custody.

Pinelake volunteers, WCCF deliver Christmas care packages

Volunteers with the Pinelake Baptist Church visited WCCF in December 2018 and delivered Christmas care packages to all of the incarcerated men at the facility. The volunteers, who made their first delivery in 2017, donated 950 bags containing socks, shampoo, soap, letters, and candy. Pinelake’s distribution was followed by the annual distribution of care packages by WCCF.

Chaplain Felton Quiett honored

Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey and Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III honored WCCF’s contract chaplain, Imam Felton Quiett, in January for his years of service to the Muslim offenders. They presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Special Recognition Award (plaque) for his contributions to the Religious Programs at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility.

#PrivatePrisons
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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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