DCE has recently hosted successful job fairs at Lunenburg Correctional Center and Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. The federal prison system has long used job fairs to prepare inmates for transition back to their communities. Experts in the field have suggested that the job fair is a simple, cost-effective re-entry tool that is under utilized. "We are moving toward the Job Interview Fair model rather than the traditional job fair where people casually talk with employers," explained DCE's Gwynne Cunningham. "These are structured events where students have interview appointments with four to six employers throughout the day. After the interview, employers provide feedback to the students. Sometimes this even includes a job offer."

At a recent job fair at Lunenburg Correctional Center Edwin Collazo spent much of a day interviewing DCE students. An employee of Southern Brick Contractors in Richmond, Mr. Collazo learned the masonry trade while himself a DCE student. "These programs really do work," he said. He and others from Southern Brick attend job fairs regularly to find potential employees.

"Successful ex-offenders provide inspiration for students. They see that employers do hire people who were once incarcerated," Ms. Cunningham said.

While these events are focused on interview practice, a number of actual job offers have been made by employers at these events. Employers have given us overwhelmingly favorable feedback on these events - they are impressed by the skills and abilities of these potential employees. They note that this experience has inspired them to consider these talented workers. Employers ask to be included in subsequent events, and have even recruited other employers to participate.

"These events are a lot of work, and the transition specialists do most of it. They are to be commended for their efforts," Ms. Cunningham added.

Doughnut maker. Chimney sweep. House cleaner. Library assistant. Construction laborer. Her love of learning has put Teresa Bryant in many different jobs. "I like doing something different, and I just said to myself, Hey, what's that about?" Eventually she found the learner's truest passion: sharing their wealth of learning with others. "I told Les Donaldson when he interviewed me, I have no experience, but you will never regret hiring me." Eight years later, there are no complaints about Bryant, an academic instructor at Powhatan Correctional Center who loves her work so much she moonlights as an instructor at the Chesterfield Women's Diversion Center.

A native of Logansport, LA, she grew up on the Red River near the east Texas border with a single mother and two younger sisters. Times were not easy. "I loved school, and I knew it would be my ticket out," she said. Her first big move was to Northwestern State University where she earned an undergraduate and then a master's degree in English. Her alma mater hired her and for several years she served in the school's information office. But the lure of something more tugged at her. While she faired relatively well academically, her younger sisters had not. Ms. Bryant suspects learning disabilities were behind their problems, and as she grew older she became increasingly interested in adult education. Ms. Bryant is quick to point out that she is an adventurous sort. Thanks to a couple of major college road trips and a feisty Ford Festiva, she can proudly boast of her travels. "I have seen all but five of the United States."

So when a couple of sorority sisters moved to Richmond to study at Virginia Commonwealth University, it was not out of character for Ms. Bryant to tag along. In a short time, she found herself sitting before a DCE interview panel telling them that everyone deserves a second chance. And DCE took a chance on her.

"Since then, I have had some really great moments. I love what I do. I really feel I can help these people where I could not help my sisters," she said. "I really love helping people. It is like a drug actually. The more you give, the more you get back from them. There is nothing quite like helping my students. When they grasp something, they get a glow about them. Even on the worst day if you have helped just one person you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off and know you have helped at least one."

Author Evans Hopkins spoke to a group of DCE students at J. H. Smyth High School in April telling them his life's story and sharing with them a copy of his book, "Life After Life." Mr. Hopkins, 52, told his attentive young audience that he "wrote his way out of prison."

Handed a life sentence in the mid-1980s, he proceeded to improve himself, especially as a writer, and ultimately turned his life around. Mr. Hopkins was accompanied by Gerald Stovall, who had served time with him at Powhatan Correctional Center. Both men delivered positive messages of self-improvement and education. To explain his impetus for writing his book Mr. Hopkins read the following passage from "Life After Life."

Seeing an increasing stream of angry sullen young bloods coming into the prison, I wondered what I might say to them in a book, something that would speak to young black men that might help them transform their lives, something a bewildered teen might one day discover while searching the selves of a prison library, as I did so many years ago.

DCE and friends gathered recently at St. Brides Correctional Center to recognize the 1,000th Career Readiness Certificate earned by a DCE student.

A DCE student at Culpeper Juvenile Correctional Center's Cedar Mountain High School recently won first place in a county-wide teen poetry contest sponsored by the Culpeper County Library. The winning entry, entitled "The Streets," was one of more than 100 entries. Contest sponsors gave out first, second and third place awards along with two honorable mentions. "This was a very solid competition, and yet this poem was a clear winner," said Jennifer Johnston, Youth Services Coordinator of the Culpeper County Library.

"Obviously, we are very proud of our student," said Cedar Mountain Principal William Stephens.

"Many of our students have tremendous potential, and we are glad that, through this competition, our students, our teachers and the school itself have gained recognition."

Masonry Magazine, the national trade magazine of the United States masonry industry, featured the Virginia Department of Correctional Education in a June article about masonry programs in correctional settings. The article entitled, "Masonry Training in Prisons Reaps Successes," kicked off with the story of Edwin Collazo, a former DCE student who today works as a foreman for Southern Brick Contractors Inc. of Richmond. The magazine also cited the reduced recidivism of successful masonry students from the Virginia DCE programs – a reduction of approximately 16.1 percent – as compared to those who had not taken any vocational courses. The article was also featured prominently on the magazine's web site. Visit Masonry Magazine at: masoncontractors.org

DCE, in cooperation with DJJ, held its annual "Camp Cobra" at Hanover Juvenile Correctional Center on July 20. The military camp is the first of its kind in the nation, and an activity of the school's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Camp Cobra culminated with a graduation ceremony in the gymnasium at Hanover DCE's Smyth School.

DJJ's Barry Green served as keynote speaker.

The Association of Correctional Food Service Affiliates (ACFSA) named Delores Ann Taylor its Employee of the Year for 2007. "The dedication and enthusiasm that Delores Taylor has shown for both the ACFSA and the correctional food service industry made her a perfect recipient," said Richard C. Wyckoff, the ACFSA president, in announcing the award. Ms. Taylor will receive special recognition at the ACFSA International Conference in Ontario during the banquet and awards ceremony on the evening of August 8. She will also be featured in the association's magazine. "This award was created to promote and encourage the training, professionalism, and pride of the correctional food service employees," Mr. Wyckoff added. "We hope you will join us in congratulating Ms. Taylor for representing our industry so well."

Submitted by: Mark Hutchinson

On May 3, 2007, The Department of Correctional Education Cooking and Baking Apprenticeship class, held a cake baking competition at Red Onion State Prison. Serving as judges were Mark Hutchinson, DCE Principal at Red Onion, and Warden M.R. Ray. The cakes were judged on looks, theme, and naturally, taste. The following students, Jonathon Reese, Anthony Lawrence, Matthew Pritchard, and David Brown were the four apprenticeship students who have been working in the area of cake decoration and baking for approximately six weeks. The winner of the competition was Anthony Lawrence, who went with the theme Mother's Day. All the participants will receive at least two pictures taken by DCE of each participant proudly displaying their fine work.

Afterwards, the students got to sit down with the judges and members of both the DCE and DOC staff to enjoy all of the wonderful great tasting cake. In the future there will be more competitions just like this one, giving the Apprenticeship students at Red Onion not only the recognition they deserve, but the chance to join in on a little competition.

"Coming Home: Building Reentry Capacity Through Community Collaboration" - the inaugural Virginia reentry conference of the Governor's Reentry Policy Academy was held at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel and Waterfront Conference Center, Portsmouth, Virginia on April 30 and May 1. A wide range of local government and community leaders, prison, jail and community corrections professionals attended. Among them were: Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Clyde Cristman, Randy Rollins, president of Drive-To-Work, and former Attorney General Mark Earley.

Administrator of the Year

Steve Humphreys brings out the best in a diverse, multi-talented staff that is spread across six schools in five counties. He stretches himself and, likewise, encourages his staff to expand, grow and excel. Mr. Humphreys possesses a high level of ingenuity, critical thinking and conflict resolution skills. Mr. Humphreys is the epitome of professionalism and integrity.

Master Teacher

Linda Audet has been an outstanding teacher for DCE for many years. She is known throughout the agency as an excellent teacher. Ms. Audet is something of an agency pioneer. She was the first teacher in Community Corrections for DCE. She is also one of the agency's most versatile performers. She is the only teacher in the state to have taught at all types of Community Corrections sites.

Outstanding Employees

Greg Campbell of Thunder Ridge High School is always eager to perform all duties assigned to him, and he often volunteers to take on tasks above and beyond his normal duties. In addition to his normal teaching assignment of health classes, Drivers' Education, and physical education, Mr. Campbell teaches GED preparation classes. Above and beyond his normal duites, Mr. Campbell serves as the Thunder Ridge School Safety Coordinator.

For the past three years, May Donna Campbell of Augusta Correctional Center has been a key component of an interagency team that teaches Productive Citizenship Facilitator Training to new instructors. Ms. Campbell has established an extensive network of human service agencies in her community and beyond. Her outstanding professionalism and dedication to her students inspire these agencies to eagerly serve her students both pre and post-release.

Marilyn A. Harris has made a successful transition from a Nurse's Aid Teacher at (Bon Air) to become the Career Pathways (High School) and Career Exploration (Middle School) teacher at John H. Smyth School. She is known for her versatility, her reliability, her medical knowledge and her love of education. Mrs. Harris offers CPR and First Aid Certification training free of charge to DCE staff. She is known for her teamwork and positive attitude.

Andrew Jackson is a DCE veteran who has tallied many accomplishments in his career. The following chronicles his efforts of the previous year, most of which were done on his own time. Mr. Jackson has developed The Automated Student Transcript for CTE Programs. Mr. Jackson developed, manages and maintains the tracking system for official documentation relevant to the agency's operating and salaries budget. Mr. Jackson is extremely passionate about DCE. He raises the bar for the agency.

Ask fellow teachers about William "Mike" Parrish and you will learn that he is highly experienced and highly skilled. The veteran educator is endorsed in elementary education, triple-endorsed in special education, an endorsed reading specialist and highly qualified in all secondary core content areas. He possesses an unusually well-developed understanding of the pedagogical process, understanding of diverse learning styles and strategies for delivery of instruction and exceptional empathy for his students. He is respected as a team player.

For over a year, Transition Specialist Mary Jane Smith has been serving on the Leadership Team for the Coffeewood Correctional Center/ Culpeper Juvenile Correctional Center Pilot Reentry Project, an initiative of the Virginia Prisoner Re-entry Policy Academy. Ms. Smith conveys an unyielding sense of optimism about her students' ability to succeed, which they and others find contagious.

Agency Star: Gwynne Cunningham

Gwynne Cunningham's efforts as the Director of Specialized Programs produce quiet, long-term results that ultimately yield benefits that go far beyond her initial work. Most prominent among them in the past year, is her effort to facilitate Virginia's re-entry initiative. She has played a large leadership role in this effort to smooth the way for former inmates who are returning to their communities. She has chaired several committees and has become very well known in the state in what is becoming a high-profile initiative in the public safety arena.

Career Achievement: James Riley

James Riley of the Powhatan Cluster has been the "go to guy" for many DCE librarians. His expertise and advice is widely sought, and he does an exceptional job of keeping up with the latest in library science and contemporary literature, not to mention policies, vendor and best practices.

Community Service: JonaThan Davis

Jonathan Davis, of J.T. Mastin High School Annex, has had a longstanding, major commitment to addressing the needs of the Battery Park community of Richmond City. While he is known professionally as a dedicated graphic arts teacher, community service and social responsiveness are most important elements of his life. For instance, he has played a prominent role in the recovery efforts related to the recent flooding in Battery Park.

Teamwork: JROTC

John H. Smyth High School's JROTC program is the state's first JROTC program in a juvenile correctional center. Further, it is the second of its kind in the entire United States. Additionally, the JROTC program achieves its mission of molding students into better citizens. The three men who run this program were honored as Agency Stars for Teamwork: Major Wendell Quash, Sgt. Major Bernard Lloyd and Sgt. Richard Pittman.

Customer Service: patrice Johnson

Patrice Johnson of DCE's Human Resources Division handles employees' concerns with care. Emails and telephone calls are promptly returned. If she cannot answer a question immediately, she goes out of her way to find the answer and get back to her customers. One teacher relayed how Ms. Johnson handled a situation involving burdensome paperwork. "She immediately addressed my issues and the matter was completed before I expected. How often can you say that the customer service you received was much better than expected?"

Safety: Randall Estes

Randy Estes of Indian Creek Correctional Center discovered a new type of saw that greatly improved the safety in his classroom. If the saw senses something other than wood, such as a human hand, it can stop in three to five milliseconds. Such safety translates into a savings of not only human suffering but time and money.

Inovation: Kris Williams

Besides being an outstanding teacher Kris Williams of J.T. Mastin High School offers her expertise in catering to many DCE ceremonies and programs. She also entertains visitors per administrative requests. In this way she keeps the agency from hiring outside food service providers.

In February, Mrs. Marge Rose, science teacher and Ms. Linda Quimby, inclusion teacher, arranged a treat for Earth Science and Biology classes. Mr. Mike Hamilton, DJJ Human Rights Advocate and Volunteer Services Director at Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center, brought some of his extensive fossil collection to work to share with the students. He exhibited, talked and answered questions about the fossils and how he came to study and collect them.

In twelve years of collecting fossils, initiated by a love of dinosaurs by his then three-yearold son, the Hamilton family has traveled extensively. Some of the fossils are ones they have found, some have been purchased. The fossils, seen in the photo, included a humerus bone from a Hadrosaur of the Cretaceous Period that is 65 million years old and was found in Montana and a jawbone from a Bison that is from the Miocene Period. It dates back 5 million years and was found in Arkansas. A Trilobite from Morocco was of great interest. It came from the Cambrian Period and is 500 million years old.

The dinosaur dung was the comic relief of the program. It is 250 million years old, somewhat resembled a cow pie and the students were able to hold it. Both students and teachers were appreciative of the opportunity to see, touch and hear about fossils and get a unique perspective of this fascinating subject.

The handiwork of DCE students will be on display at Virginia's State Fair when it opens this year on September 27. A pearl white 1966 Ford Mustang, fully restored compliments of students at St. Brides Correctional Center will take a prominent place among the many sights and scenes at this year's event, which runs until October 5. "We are delighted that we will be able to help you showcase the work of the inmates and show that when they leave they will be productive members of society. We also showcase the James River Correctional Center--they provide the Fair with straw for the 4-H livestock programs," said Lorene Blackwood of the Virginia State Fair.

"We have a Back to the 60's section in the Arts and Crafts Building. The car would be in this area with a fence around it so that the public would not be able to touch it. Last year we had 225,000 people attend the Fair," she added. The car is owned by DCE teacher Randy Estes, who played a role in having it displayed. "We are all excited about this because not only will the public see our students' work, this is one really hot car."

Submitted by Eileen Goddin

On June 13th at J. T. Mastin High School, an American art history lesson was given by seven students in Ms. Shari Beazley's class. This study began in May, when the students were originally going to write a short paper. Each student chose an American artist to research and present. This project evolved when the students initiated an interest in using Microsoft PowerPoint to present their research. The students used photographs, books, magazines, Encarta and textbooks to obtain information for this presentation. Artists that were studied include Georgia O'Keefe, Henry O' Tanner, Andy Warhol, Thomas Hart Benson, Arthur Dove, Grant Wood, and Jacob Lawrence. Each student also created a small reproduction of one of the works by their chosen artist. The students presented their projects in the gym and were judged by a number of teachers and central office staff. Art history is a very important part of the art program and encompasses one fifth of the entire course. This particular project incorporated the SOLs from Art, English, Reading, History and Technology. Please congratulate these students and Ms. Beasley on their job well done!!

Nottoway's Spring plant sale proved to be a brisk affair at DCE's Central Office building in Richmond. Eager customers snapped up the hundreds of available plants in less than two hours. Nottoway Correctional Center Horticulture Instructor William Worsham and his students will soon under take a project to beautify the conference center area of Twin Lakes State Park in nearby Prince Edward County.

DCE participated in the 2007 Public Safety Supplier Diversity Fair this spring.

DCE went on display during the Virginia School Board Association's Governor's Conference in mid-July.

The residents of Charlottesville are known for their philanthropic spirit and Jana Cutlip was accustomed to reading about their many acts of generosity in the local paper. One particular article caught her attention and awakened a concern about equality among the genders. Jana read about an organization called Quest Institute's initiative to provide all interested prisoners free books upon request. Quest institute has provided thousands of books and dictionaries to incarcerated individuals over the years.

The wheels started turning for Ms. Cutlip as she reflected on the hardship she had experienced in her classroom at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, where she is employed by the state as a LIP/ GED Instructor for the Virginia Department of Correctional Education. Jana's dilemma involved attempting to support the women enrolled in the academic programs with good dictionaries necessary in assisting them in completing difficult programs leading to diplomas.

Ms. Cutlip contacted the founder of Quest, Kay Allison and inquired about providing female inmates the same dictionaries given to their male counterparts. When Ms. Allison became aware of the 1,200 women being housed in the Fluvanna facility she informed Ms. Cutlip that an order of this magnitude would require a grant.

Ms. Allison wrote a grant and Quest was awarded ample funding not only to provide Fluvanna Correctional Center for Woman a dictionary for each female inmate, but enough dictionaries to provide one for each female inmate in all the correctional facilities throughout the state of Virginia.

Three thousand dictionaries were donated with a value of approximately $10,000.

Not only will each female inmate have an opportunity to receive a personal dictionary, but each classroom will be given a set of thesauruses and dictionaries.

Mr. D.J. Wright, the regional assistant principal, located at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women stated, "Ms. Cutlip exemplifies the spirit of many of the teachers working for DCE. She is a teacher who is willing to go the extra mile to assist her students with their educational endeavors."

Sixty thousand table saw related injuries occur each year. One accident per twenty table saws occurred last year with one accident occurring every nine minutes. The average cost of a workplace amputation is $45,608.00, and the potential lifetime medical cost for a table saw related amputation is $400,000.00. With each injury, the workers' compensation premiums increase as high as $50,000.

Last summer, DCE principal Dr. Betty Buck and carpentry instructor Randy Estes of ICCC saw a video of a new technological and safe table saw called Sawstop. The saw is designed to be the best cabinet saw made. It has a European-style riving knife for improved kick-back prevention and a revolutionary contact detection and brake system. The blade stops and retracts on accidental contact and the protection is always on. It performs continuous self checks. Dr. Buck and Mr. Estes decided they wanted this saw for his carpentry class.

Dr. Buck went on line and found a company in Norfolk, Virginia called Woodcraft, Inc. that sold the saw. Mr. Estes and Shaun Booth, carpentry instructor at St. Brides Correctional Center immediately made a visit to Woodcraft, met with owner Bill Caillet, and viewed a demonstration. Arrangements were made and soon a Sawstop was delivered to ICCC with another on order for SBCC.

When Mr. Estes began telling everyone about this remarkable machine, he soon found out they all wanted to see it. Mr. Estes called Mr. Caillet and arrangements were made for a visit to ICCC and a demonstration of the saw.

Among those who came to the carpentry class to view the demonstration were ICCC warden, Ms. Patricia Terrangi, asstistant warden Mr. James Kealing, from security, Major Derek Anderson and Capt. Jack Workman, buildings & grounds supervisor, Mr. Ron Temple, SBCC safety officer Mr. J.R. McLintoc; and the DCE carpentry class students.

This is how the new saw works. The saw has a brake attached near the blade. The brake has a computer chip which sends a signal to the blade. When the signal senses a change in the conduction of the material being cut, such as a hand or finger, it sends a signal to the computer on the brake. Within 3 to 5 milliseconds, the blade drops out of sight, the brake engages and the saw shuts down.

Accident results are very minimal, if any, to the limb. The cost of a new brake is approximately $80, and, most times the saw blade can be reused. Within five minutes, the student is back at work with all his or her limbs.

As one of the carpentry students put it, "The cost of a lost limb - thousands; The cost of the Sawstop - priceless!"

How is this saw used to demonstrate its safety? With the aid of a "hot dog" acting as a finger, the demonstration is made. As soon as the blade senses the hot dog, it shuts down immediately with very minimal, if any damage to the hot dog.

Dr. Buck and Mr. Estes hope the saw will help lower the workers' compensation premiums the state pays, saving the commonwealth money.

Submitted by David H. Hunt

On March 29 Regional Principal David H. Hunt completed his region's 2007 Training Institute entitled Trends In Education. The entire staff from, Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, Virginia Correctional Center for Women and Central Virginia Correctional Unit 13 formed teams of two people and presented current information on various topics in education to colleagues. Each group researched their assigned topic, created power point presentations and in many cases incorporated humor in their presentations. Topics included the age of accountability, school violence, the age of litigation, volunteers in the classroom, and the teacher as the researcher. Presentations incorporated lecture, songs, games, and even a group sing-a-long. The team of Calvin Stansbury and John Roberts received certificates for the Most Informative Presentation. For their style reminiscent of the old Saturday Night Live news desk, the team of Michael Holson and Jana Cutlip were recipients of the Most Entertaining Presentation. Mr. Hunt commented that there was no need to go outside the agency to find quality presentations on the current trends in education.