Wednesday, July 24, 2019

WCCF News (7/2019): What’s Happening at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.

Chaplain, Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Copyright (c) 2019

#MTCChangesLives



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, July 25, 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


 Cockerham, Fisher attend Community Relations Meeting

WCCF held its 2nd Quarter Community Relations Meeting in June, where Warden Scott Middlebrooks presented updates and answered questions about the status of the facility. A number of business leaders and elected officials attended, including Rep. Angela Cockerham and Wilkinson County Industrial Development Authority President Ronnie Fisher. Cockerham and Fisher said they fully support the programs and work being done at WCCF.

Castro is new Deputy Warden of Programs

George Castro is the new Deputy Warden of Programs at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF). A native of Florida, Castro is a U.S. Army veteran. He has worked in corrections for more than 30 years.


Chaplain Quiett featured in two national publications

Imam Felton Quiett, contract chaplain for WCCF, is featured in the national Islamic Horizons magazine. The magazine is the flagship bi-monthly publication of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Quiett and the Muslim offenders in a Taleem class at WCCF are featured on page 18 in the May/June 2019 issue. Their photo is in full color. Quiett and his Taleem class also are featured in a recent issue of the Muslim Journal.

Quiett, who has served at WCCF for nearly 5 years, was honored earlier this year for his ministry to the Muslim offenders. The deputy warden of programs and chaplain at WCCF presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Special Recognition Award (plaque) for his contributions to the Religious Programs at WCCF.

 Incarcerated men honored

Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) recently honored four of its incarcerated men who rendered assistance to a correctional officer who had collapsed due to a serious illness. From left are Deputy Warden of Programs George Castro, Andrew Brown, Glen Conley II, Zackerise Page, and Case Manager Supervisor Tracey Arbuthnot. Dustin Marange is not pictured. In addition to a catered meal, the men received a Certificate of Appreciation and a formal Letter of Recognition signed by Warden Scott Middlebrooks.

“Your assistance during this critical time is both admirable and commendable,” wrote Middlebrooks. “You not only assisted the officer until medical aid arrived, but also set an example for others to follow. Your prompt and thoughtful actions are appreciated, and I am happy to acknowledge the role you played in helping one of our own.”

Students complete Long Term Alcohol and Drug class

Twenty incarcerated men participated in WCCF’s Long Term Alcohol and Drug program. “All students were court-ordered, some would return home upon completion and others were granted parole pending the completion of the class,” according to Substance Abuse Counselor Angela Coleman. “During this extensive six months, the offenders learned to accept responsibility for their past mistakes, the cause of their criminal behaviors, and exit strategies if faced with future challenges.”

Thirteen of the 20 students successfully completed the class, others were released and transferred before completion, Coleman said.
  
Higginbotham promoted

Michelle Higginbotham has been promoted to the facility’s Investigation department. An MTC employee since January 2019, Higginbotham has worked as both a Disciplinary Clerk and Mailroom Clerk.

Higginbotham said she is excited about her new position. “I feel honored that I’ve been selected for this position,” she said. “I’m looking forward to being part of the positive changes taking place under Warden Scott Middlebrooks’ leadership.”

Helping local schools

WCCF is planning to assist local schools in the Wilkinson County School District by donating school supplies to the Woodville Police Department for their back-to-school drive, according to Administrative Assistant Mattie Young. She said the offenders will fill 96 backpacks with supplies. The contribution is a regular community service project of the 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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