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.
