Accomplishments in 2001
January 3, 2001
Department of Correction in coordination with the Criminal Justice Command Institute debuted a new recruitment tool, the Pre-Service Certification Program (PCP). This program allows college students who have completed 15 credit hours of selected courses and a 112-hour internship/practicum in one of the Department's correctional facilities, an opportunity for employment as a correction officer. Individuals who complete this program are given a waiver of the Correction Officer's written exam.
February 3, 2001
The establishment of the MacDougall Correctional Institution's Hospice Program was marked by the graduation of 18 inmate volunteers from a program that prepared them to provide hospice care. The philosophy of the program is to provide 24-hour compassionate, quality end-of-life care to terminally ill inmates and to view their families and/or those emotionally connected to them as part of the "unit of care." Services that will be provided by the inmate volunteers will include counseling to help alleviate physical, social, spiritual and emotional suffering.
February 13, 2001
Two correctional employees, one from Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution and one from the Correctional Transportation Unit received the Governor's Service Award from Governor John G. Rowland for their outstanding community service to the State of Connecticut.
February 27, 2001
Prison PUP (Puppies Uniting People) Partnership Program at the York Correctional Institution graduated the first two canines to complete the yearlong training program.
March 9, 2001
Administrative Directive 2.22, Workplace Violence Prevention Policy, was issued by Commissioner John J. Armstrong. This directive states: The Department shall provide its employees with a workplace free of intimidation, harassment, threats and/or violent acts. The Department shall investigate and provide appropriate resolution for each complaint relating to workplace violence. This policy incorporates the Governor's Executive Order on Workplace Violence Prevention issued in August 1999 and the Office of Labor Relations Notice 99-05 on this topic.
March 19, 2001
The York Correctional Institution graduated the first class of inmates from the Skills Toward Employment Program (S.T.E.P). The S.T.E.P. Program, a collaborative effort between the Department of Correction and Quinnebaug Valley Community College, is designed to provide offenders, within a few months of discharge, with job readiness and job search skills. These skills will promote access to higher paying, personally relevant jobs that meet statewide labor market demands.
April 10, 2001
The Department of Correction and the Department of Labor co-sponsored the Workforce 2001 Conference. The conference, which focused on the advantages of hiring ex-offenders, was presented to 117 local businesses throughout Connecticut.
Lieutenant Governor Jodi Rell announced the award of a $400,000 federal grant that would allow the Department of Correction and the Department of Labor to combine resources in order to establish job-link centers in several correctional facilities. These centers will assist offenders in employment placement prior to their release.
May 1, 2001
The second phase of Commissioner John J. Armstrong's departmental reorganization plan was announced. The new organization facilitates project management by centering responsibility, strengthening communication and decision-making by facilitating collective investment and in sharing of specialized knowledge at all levels of the organization. The goals of these changes are consistent with the "one-department" philosophy to promote communication and information exchange, eliminate bureaucratic pitfalls, and raise the level of empowerment and accountability.
June 17, 2001
Department of Correction hosted the 2001 National Major Gang Task Force Conference. The conference was host to over 500 attendees from across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Presenters from across the United States and Puerto Rico shared their experiences and expressed the need for a continued commitment to the challenge of combating gang activity, keeping in line with the theme of the conference " Committed to the Challenge". The Connecticut Department of Correction was also host to the first National Major Gang Task Force Conference in 1995 drawing national recognition, which resulted in a positive draw for involvement by law enforcement officials.
July 1, 2001
The MacDougall Correctional Institution and the Walker Reception and Special Management Unit, as well as the Corrigan Correctional Institution and the Radgowski Correctional Institution consolidated.
August 11, 2001
The American Correctional Association, at the 131st Congress of Correction Conference, adopted the Connecticut Department of Correction's K-9 Unit guidelines as the national standard for professional K-9 Teams. These guidelines set requirements for all aspects of team development including, unit structure and policy, member selection and training.