May 2001Correction News 1Michael F. EasleyGovernor

Theodis BeckSecretary

May 2001North Carolina Department of Correction ● 214 W. Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27603 ● (919) 716-3700

C o r r e c t i o n

N E W Sww ww ww

By Keith AcreeBUTNER - Correction Enterprises

employees and inmates at UmsteadLaundry wash, dry, press and fold about70,000 pounds of laundry a week —mostly inmate clothing from stateprisons and linens from hospitals andmental health facilities. But a few loadswashed each week at Umstead arespecial — they’re teddy bears, cartooncharacters and other stuffed animalsthat will be given away to childrenaffected by disasters.

The laundry washes the stuffedanimals for Operation Toy Box, a non-profit group based just outside Raleigh.The organization provides toys tochildren affected by disasters andteaches volunteerism to young people.Thousands of toys are donated eachyear by children across the UnitedStates, then volunteers from local scouttroops and youth groups help preparethe toys and stuffed animals fordistribution to children who have been

Ron Young, Umstead laundry manager, inspectsa load of freshly washed stuffed animals.

(Laundry Continued on page 3)

By Leon MorrowDorsey Edmundson, psychological

program manager at CaledoniaCorrectional Institution, has quite aresume when it comes to working withsports athletes. Edmundson has providedpsychological training and assistance forWesley Walls, the well-known CarolinaPanthers receiver. He was also thesports psychologist for the 1994 USOlympics Team. Very few people havesuch opportunities, and Edmundson sayshe knows that he is blessed.

Edmundson

Edmundson BlendsLove Of Sports

With Psychology

Edmundson has always enjoyedsports, and played college basketball atUNC-Wilmington before entering thegraduate program at the University ofMississippi. He particularly liked theopportunity toreceive trainingin sportspsychology andclinicalpsychology.Sportspsychology is afield conflictedby theperspectives of

Umstead LaundersSpecial Loads ForOperation Toy Box

(Edmundson Continued on page 7)

Tracy Little Named Deputy SecretaryBy Pamela Walker

RALEIGH – Secretary Theodis Beckhas named Tracy A. Little as deputysecretary for the Department, effectiveMay 1. “Ms. Little has done an outstandingjob as director of public information andhas proven herself a consummateprofessional,” said Secretary Beck. “Herknowledge of the Department ofCorrection, her work ethic and extensiveexperience in state government will beinvaluable in this role.” Little joined the Department in 1994as public information officer for the N.C.Parole Commission. Four years later shebecame director of the Department’sOffice of Citizen Services. She becamethe Department’s public informationdirector in January 2000. Little’s background also includesexperience in the non-profit sector,having worked with the State EmployeesAssociation of North Carolina from 1990to 1994. She began her career as a

journalistwith theNew BernSun-Journaland alsospent oneyear as abroadcastjournalistworking inradio. “I am humbled and honored to beselected for this position,” said Little.“In this Department we have the mostdedicated and hardworking group ofpeople with whom I have ever beenassociated. I look forward to thisopportunity and the challenges that lieahead.” A Goldsboro native, Little holds abachelor’s degree in journalism from theUniversity of North Carolina at ChapelHill. She is a May 2001 graduate fromN.C. State University with a master’s

(Little Continued on page 3)

Little

May 2001 Correction News2

By Pamela WalkerThe International Food Service

Manufacturers Association (IFMA) willpresent the Silver Plate Award to

NancyPorter, foodservicesdirector forthe Divisionof Prisons,at aceremonyMay 21 inChicago.

TheIFMApresentsthe annual

Silver Plate Award to the industry’smost accomplished and outstandingfood service operators. Winners areselected in nine categories and Porter isthe recipient in Specialty Foodservices.In a press release, the IFMA described

Porter WinsNational Award

Porter

RALEIGH- Mountain ViewCorrectional Institution was honored witha 2000 Employment Security Commission(ESC) Employer Award on March 28during an evening reception at the NorthCarolina Museum of History.

“As superintendent, it is a pleasure toaccept this award on behalf of the manydedicated Mountain View CorrectionalInstitution staff,” said Supt. DavidMitchell. “Receiving the Employer of theYear award is not only an honor for me,but to the many departmental staff whomade the transition from private to stateoperations successful.”

ESC Chairman Raymond W. GoodmanJr. presented the award to Mitchell, whowas one of 81 employers to receive theaward for exceptional contribution to theNorth Carolina economy through newbusiness, business expansion andpartnership with ESC.

“The businesses recognized with thisaward reflect some of the best andbrightest in North Carolina,” Goodman

Mountain View Receives Employment Award

Staff from Mountain View Correctional Institutionreceive congratulations from Employment SecurityCommission officials. From left, Lt. TracyMcKeehan, Unit Manager Teresa Jardon,Raymond Goodman Jr., ESC chairman; SandraBuchanan, ESC manager in Spruce Pine; and Supt.David Mitchell.

said. “Each of them share in our goal ofkeeping workers productive and shapingour state’s economic success throughexpansion and an effective partnership withgovernment.”

The ESC Employer Awards, first givenin 1987, are sponsored by the ESC and theState Job Service Employer Committee(JSEC), one of North Carolina’s largestemployer associations.✯

Porter as a leader and innovator in theareas of concept and new productdevelopment.

“I was overwhelmed when I heard Ihad won,” said Porter. “The awardshould be given to the Departmentbecause it has been the administrationthat has allowed me to do my job and mystaff has worked with me onimplementing my ideas.”

Porter joined the Department in 1992as the western region dietitian. A fewmonths later she was promoted todirector of food services. A dietitian formore than 40 years, Porter has alsoworked at Dorothea Dix Hospital inRaleigh, in nursing homes and has ownedher own restaurant.

A native of New York, Porterattended Syracuse University as anundergraduate. She received abachelor’s of science in foods andnutrition from Russell Sage College.Porter lives in Raleigh with her husbandHarry. They have three children and fivegrandchildren.✯ (Chavis Continued on page 9)

By Keith AcreeRALEIGH - Secretary Theodis

Beck has named Patricia Chavis as thenew SouthCentralregiondirectorfor theDivision ofPrisons,effectiveApril 1. Inher newposition,Chavisoverseesoperations at 14 state prisons in a 12-county area between Charlotte andWilmington.

“Pat Chavis is an excellent leader,motivator and administrator,” saidSecretary Beck. “She has served thisdepartment well over the years and Iknow she will do an outstanding jobleading the prisons in our South Centralregion.”

Chavis is a 27-year veteran of theDepartment of Correction. She startedher career as a program supervisor atthe old Richmond Advancement Centerin Richmond County. She went on towork in the South Central DiagnosticCenter at McCain and was the directorof the Robeson Treatment Facility forWomen. For 12 years, she served as aprogram director in South Central Areaprison administration. In October 1990,she became the first Native Americanfemale to lead a state prison when shewas named superintendent at BladenCorrectional Center. In 1994, Chavissupervised the opening of LumbertonCorrectional Institution and served as itssuperintendent through March 2001.

Chavis is a lifelong resident ofRobeson County. She received herbachelor’s degree in sociology andmaster’s degree in educationaladministration from the University ofNorth Carolina at Pembroke. At one

South CentralRegion Gets New

Director

Chavis

May 2001Correction News 3

the victims of floods, tornadoes,hurricanes and house fires.

Many of the larger stuffed animalswashed at Umstead are matched with abag of craft items and tied with a bow tocreate Operation Toy Box “Kid Kits.”Red Cross disaster volunteers acrossNorth Carolina then distribute the kits tochildren as they assist families affectedby house fires and other single-familydisasters.

The laundry handles 200 to 300stuffed animals week. They’re usuallywashed and dried late in the week, thenlaid out on tables before closing onFriday so they can finish air drying overthe weekend. It only takes theEnterprise inmates about two hours towash and dry a few hundred stuffedanimals — work that would have takenOperation Toy Box volunteers allweekend at a local laundromat.

When the laundry first startedwashing stuffed animals in March,Correction Enterprises managersestimated as many as half might bedamaged or destroyed by the washersand dryers, but their success rate reallysurprised them. “We only lose two orthree bears out of each load,” saidUmstead Laundry Manager RonYoung. “And I didn’t think they wouldcome as clean as this. To wash astuffed bear and get it to come outlooking this good is pretty incredible.”

In the past, the laundry has taken on afew other community projects like this one,including washing blankets for the RedCross after Hurricane Floyd. “We’re gladto be able to do this,” said CorrectionEnterprises Laundry Manager RandyPenland. “It’s a great project for a goodcause.”✯

SMITHFIELD- Nearly 300 peopleate steak and received specialrecognition at the Sixth Annual LawEnforcement Dinner March 29 at theFirst Baptist Church in Smithfield.

Eight churches pitched in to serve upthe steak dinners to say thank you toanyone who works or has worked inJohnston County law enforcement.Chaplain Dade Sherman of JohnstonCorrectional Institution was chairman ofthe event. Officers and staff fromJohnston Correctional Institution,Johnston County CommunityCorrections, the Johnston CountySheriff’s Office, police agencies and theN.C. Highway Patrol attended thedinner.

Former Community Correctionsofficer Mel Chilton was the guestspeaker. Her mother, Jenette Fish waskilled in 1975 by an inmate at TriangleCorrectional Center where she workedas a dental technician. Chilton is nowwith the N.C. Victim AssistanceNetwork and she told attendees howimportant it is to remember the crimevictims. She also expressed gratitude toall law enforcement for the jobs theydo.✯

Probation/parole Officer David Boyce talkswith Johnston CI Supt. Loomis Woodard atan appreciation dinner for Johnston Countylaw enforcement.

Law Enforcement GetSpecial Recognition

(Laundry Continued from page 1)

By Pamela WalkerYANCEYVILLE- Secretary

Theodis Beck has named RaymondSmith as the new superintendent atCaswell Correctional Center, effectiveMay 1.

“RaymondSmith’sextensiveexperienceandknowledgewill nodoubtbenefittheCaswellcommunityand the

operations of the facility,” said Beck.“He’s a proven leader and I amconfident he is up to the challenge.”

Smith started his career incorrections in 1979 as a programassistant at Guilford CorrectionalCenter. He has also served as program

Secretary Taps Smith To Lead Caswell

supervisor at several facilities, MAPPcoordinator and program director inwhat was the North Piedmont RegionOffice, assistant superintendent andmost recently as superintendent atRandolph Correctional Center.

“I am looking forward to seeing howCaswell operates,” said Smith. “Myfirst priority is to address the highvacancy rate for staff.”

A Greensboro native, Smithgraduated from Ben L. Smith HighSchool. He went on to East CarolinaUniversity where he graduated with abachelor of science degree incorrectional services. Smith is marriedand they have one daughter. In hisspare time, he enjoys the beach,saltwater fishing, water-skiing andsnowskiing.

Smith replaces J Haynes who waspromoted to superintendent of WarrenCorrectional Institution.✯

Smith

(Little Continued from page 1)degree in public administration. Little ismarried and she has one son. In herspare time, she is involved in her son’sathletic activities and enjoys pulling forthe Tar Heels and the CarolinaPanthers.✯

May 2001 Correction News4

Spotlight On

Management Information ServicesBy Keith Acree

The 84 people who make up theManagement Information Servicesdepartment work behind the scenesevery day to create and maintain thecomputer networks and programs thathelp everyone in the Department ofCorrection do their jobs. From installingthe PC on a desk to writing theprograms that calculate inmatesentences, the folks in MIS do it all.

The department is divided into foursections, each assigned a different area

Chief Information Officer Bob Brinson, seated, and MISDirector Bill Kurdys, right, lead the ManagementInformation Systems department. Charlene Manshack,left, assists Brinson.

The Applications Architecture team is asmall, but important unit, that overseesthe critical inmate sentence calculationsdone by OPUS. From left, BarbaraHeffner, Norm Voller and JanisHendrick.

The people in QualityAssurance are the “test pilots”at MIS. They rigorouslyexamine and test newapplications once theprogrammers write them tomake sure everything workscorrectly before an applicationgoes into service. Correctionwas one of the first statedepartments to establish itsown quality assurance team.From left, Latasha Andrews,Lynwood Crocker, Ila Dean ,Dale Burleson, manager; andLavern Dunn.

The Technical Services team maintainsthe OPUS database and acts as aliaison with the State InformationTechnology Services division.From left, Don Keller, GailPritchard, Gloria Watts, GlennBurgess and Crystal Leigh, seated.

of operations. Cindy Cousinsleads the team of programmersin Application Development.Dale Burleson leads theQuality Assurance Team, RayHale heads up TechnicalServices and Dale Anderson isin charge of Network Services.In addition there is also a staffof 12 employees in fourregional offices around thestate to handle local installation,maintenance and training.

May 2001Correction News 5

The Network Services LAN team is responsible for engineering andmaintaining the huge electronic network that links computers andservers at more than 400 DOC locations around the state. Standingfrom left, Ron Alston, Pete Kreps, Wrenn Patterson, YvonneLloyd, William Mann and Teresa Bell. Seated is Dale Anderson,manager, and Kim Weller.

When your desktop computer conks out or it’s time to installa new one, the Network Services PC team is there to help.From left, Jerry Mason, Paul Spyrison, Marie Bode, JerryOverton, Robert Neilson, Joe Smith and Leon Dunn.

When you call the Network Helpdeskfor assistance with your e-mail,software or connectivity problems,Matt McGuigan and Teressa Jacksonand are the helpful folks on the otherend of the line.

The Network Services VoiceCommunications team helpskeep your phone ringing bymaintaining the department’stelephone and voice mailsystems. From left, LenaWebb, Tywan Ellis, Jeff Priceand Dan Kaminski.

The programmers on the Application Development - OffenderSystem Team are responsible for the design and programming of theOPUS system used daily by almost everyone in the Division ofPrisons and Division of Community Corrections. Standing from left,Tom Buck, Jeff Levine, Mark Collins and Jerry House. Seated,from left, Dorothy Ford, Varada Patwardhan, Jennifer Sehon,Terri Wishart and JoAnn Egland.

The buck stops here, with the programmers on theApplication Development - Fiscal Team. They design andprogram the systems to track and manage departmentalaccounting and billing including inmate banking, work releaseand laundry. They also program the SAFRS directory system.Standing from left, Gary Cox, Patsy Proctor, JohnScarantino, Criss Swaim, Barbara Moore, Beverly Mayo,Dawn Capps, Terri Malone. Seated are David White andBruce Smith.

May 2001 Correction News6

Housekeeping SupervisorHailed A Hero

McCAIN- Some co-workers ofJames McBryde, housekeepingsupervisor at McCain CorrectionalHospital, say he deserves hero status.

McBryde was leaving a localrestaurant March 30 when he heardgunfire and then saw a car beingchased by law enforcement swerveinto the parking lot. He said he saw themen in the car shooting at the officers.He turned and grabbed StephanieMiller, processing assistant , andseveral other people who were comingout of the restaurant and pushed themback inside.

“I never thought about what I wasdoing,” said McBryde. “I have neverbeen that scared in my life.” He addedthat they all started looking for a placeto hide because they didn’t know if thegunmen were going to come inside.McBryde doesn’t think of himself as ahero, but just somebody who didsomething good for other people.

Surveillance OfficerCalled ‘Man of Honor’

MONROE- Rodney Smith, asurveillance officer in Union County,recently received commendation from acitizen for what he called Smith’s“honesty and professionalism.”

Smith found a man’s walletcontaining a large sum of money at a

local car wash Feb. 2. He contacted90-year old Farrel Tucker who statedhe was amazed that anyone wouldreturn a wallet with that much moneyin it. Tucker said he had been savingthe money for a long time and thatthe Department of Correction shouldbe very proud of Officer Smith.

A letter to Smith from RoselynPowell, Division III chief, and RobertLittle, assistant division chief, stated inpart, “Please accept our profoundgratitude for exemplifying what aCommunity Corrections officer is allabout.” Judicial District ManagerNebraska Massey also wrote a letter toSmith calling him, “A Man of Honor.”

Probation/Parole Officer TakesElected Position In State Law

Enforcement Association STATESVILLE- Charles Bullings,intensive probation/parole officer inIredell County, hasbeen electedsecretary/treasurerof the NorthCarolina LawEnforcementOfficers Association(NCLEOA). “By being anofficer in a stateorganization, you aremade aware of thetrends in law enforcement and how theywill affect the Department of Correction,”Bullings said. “I believe that anything thatbenefits law enforcement will benefitprobation officers in the near future.” Bullings has been a probation officersince 1987. Prior to working with theDivision of Community Corrections, he wasa Rowan County deputy sheriff, and apolice officer with the Winston-SalemPolice Department. He is also a memberof other criminal justice organizations,including the NCPPA (North CarolinaProbation/Parole Officers Association). Membership in the NCLEOA is opento all personnel in the criminal justicecommunity.

Community Corrections StaffRaise Money For March of Dimes WILSON- Several staff fromWilson County’s CommunityCorrections office hit the street March24 in the annual Walk America to raisemoney for the March of Dimes. The staff walked five miles andraised $600. Probation Officer ChristieNoble coordinated their efforts.Probation Officer Tonya Kaylor raisedthe most money.

Wellness Committee CooksDinner For Homeless

WADESBORO- Members of theWellness Committee of the Anson andRichmond County CommunityCorrections offices cooked dinnerMarch 7 at the Samaritan Inn homelessshelter.

“It made me feel good to know Iwas helping someone less fortunate,”said Glenda Meacham, office assistant.

The dinner was part of thecommittee’s community outreachprogram. They made fried chicken,macaroni and cheese, string beans, rollsand cake.

Secretary Speaks To Black AffairsBanquet Attendees

DURHAM- Secretary Theodis Beckand several other Department employeesattended the Third Annual Black AffairsBanquet Feb. 23 at Durham Hilton Hotel.The Federal Correctional Complex atButner sponsored the banquet.

Secretary Beck delivered theSurveillance Officer Rodney Smith returns awallet he had found to its owner FarrelTucker.

Bullings

Franklin Correctional Center Holds CharityCar Wash- Staff from Franklin Correctional Centerraised more than $600 for North Carolina SpecialOlympics from a car wash held in the facility parkinglot March 23. Supt. Selma Townes, severalcorrectional officers and staff pitched in to wash 63vehicles.

(Briefs Continued on page 7)

May 2001Correction News 7

Correction Enterprises Issues GolfChallenge- Jim Godwin, CorrectionEnterprises director, practices his golf swingwhile, from left, Al Hare, quality controlspecialist; Randy Lee, industrial engineeringtech; and Andy Artola, assistant director ofoperations, get a few pointers. The CorrectionEnterprises golf tournament, which benefitsNorth Carolina Special Olympics, will be heldJune 8 at River Golf & Country Club in Bunn.Contact Jerry Carlyle or Al Hare at (919) 496-3095 for more information.

keynote speech and discussed thehistory of minorities. He also talkedabout the many pioneers in theDepartment and in the Federal Bureauof Prisons. Beck encouraged attendeesto build coalitions with all people to helpmake the criminal justice system betterfor all.

(Briefs Continued from page 6)those who approach it from a healthphysical education/ recreationperspective and those who enter thearena as clinical psychologists.Edmundson had the foresight, ability,and University support to write andobtain a grant funded by the NCAA thatpaid him to work with athletes at OleMiss; this helped pay for his educationand provided valuable experience.

Partially as a result of this experiencehe was selected from a verycompetitive applicant pool to work withthe U.S. Olympic Team in ColoradoSprings from the fall of 1993 to the fallof 1994. Working with the nation’sgreatest athletes was an incrediblypositive experience for him. He hadcontact with athletes across almostevery field that has a national governingbody, including all the shooting teams,judo, swimming and inline skating.

Edmundson obtained a Ph.D. fromthe University of Mississippi in 1995.During his time in school he had workedwith a forensic board in WestTennessee and found it fascinating.

After an internship in New Orleans andseveral months’ post-doctoral work inchild psychology, he saw an ad in theAPA Monitor for a psychology job inNorth Carolina. He remembered howmuch he enjoyed the forensic workand, after a positive meeting with AlHarrop, he decided to take the job atCaledonia as the mental health programmanager.

One of the football players he helpedwhile on the NCAA grant was WesleyWalls. Even when Walls played for SanFrancisco and New Orleans the twostayed in touch with each other. Afterbeing traded to the Panthers, Walls wasinstrumental in putting Edmundson incontact with team management, whichhas given him an opportunity to consultwith the team occasionally as a sportspsychologist. The opportunity to workwith a professional football team hasbeen a thrill for him, he said.Edmundson said he would like forothers to see a reflection of God in thethings he does and in the way he liveshis life.✯

(Edmundson Continued from page 1)

By Tracy LittleLike other inmates leaving prison,

Daniel Cunningham knows he’ll facemany obstacles when he’s released inJune. But with the help of a newprogram sponsored by the Departmentof Correction, Cunningham and manyothers may have a better chance ofstaying crime-free once they walkthrough prison gates.

Called Transition Aftercare Networkor TAN, the program aims to matchinmates with faith-based organizationsin their home community. TANorganizers hope to recruit churches inevery North Carolina county to provideaftercare and support services toreleased inmates.

“There is a great need for supportfor individuals once they are released,”said James Prince, director ofchaplaincy services for the Division ofPrisons and lead TAN organizer. “Wehave strong ministry programs insideour prisons, and this appeared to be a

Program Matches Churches, Inmates For Supportnatural extension of that work.”

Cunningham, who’s serving aburglary sentence at Western YouthInstitution, has been matched withTurning Point Ministry, whosevolunteers include Mable W. Manningof Gastonia. “I think this is a wonderfulidea,” said Manning, who’s beeninvolved with prison ministries since1984. “Through the years I’ve seenhow incarceration affects so manyhomes and families and the hurt andpain it brings,” she said.

Although the Department ofCorrection is sponsoring the network, itwill be volunteers across the state whowill drive its activities. The networkalready has grown from 20 people at itsfirst meeting in September to more than200, with representatives from 37counties. A steering committeecomprised of volunteers is developinginmate application forms, recruitmentand training materials for churches andstandards for services. In addition, five

regional volunteer coordinators will beresponsible for working with chaplainsat prison units to link inmates withparticipating churches. The networkwill first target inmates participating inJobStart and re-entry programs andthen expand to other facilities.✯

The American CorrectionalAssociation (ACA) is seeking newmembers. ACA is one of the largestassociations representing criminaljustice professionals.

Some of the services provided tomembers include training resources,national workshops, technicalassistance and grants. Members alsoreceive Corrections Today magazine,an online newsletter, conference andpublication discounts and accidentaldeath/dismemberment insurance.

For more information onbecoming a member call (800) 222-5646, extension 1920.

ACA Seeks New Members

May 2001 Correction News8

Personnel Corner

By Cathrine Garner

Faced with a significant budget crisis,several changes to the State Health Planhave been proposed and are underconsideration by the General Assembly.It is expected that the State Health Planwill have no funds available at some pointbetween July 1 and Sept. 1. The currentlegislative session is being challenged toaddress these issues and at close ofsession many changes are anticipated thatwill affect employees’ health insurancecoverage. According to Jack Walker,Ph.D., executive administrator of theState Health Plan, possible changes/items currently under considerationthis legislative session are:•Increase deductible from $250 to$400•Increase maximum out of pocketexpenses from $1,000 to $1,500•Increase drug co-payments from $10/15/20/25 to $10/25/30/40•Reduce 34-day refill supply to 30 days•Require employees to pay a portion ofthe monthly premium. Currently,employees do not pay for their owncoverage. A $10 per month paymentwould generate $50 million.

Any one or more of the aboveoptions may be implemented.Additionally, it is anticipated by the StateHealth Plan that no fully insured HMOswill be available for the next enrollment.

Efforts being made to address thefunding shortage facing the State HealthPlan are:

Fee NegotiationsHistorically the State Health Plan has

not negotiated for any additionalreduction in hospital and physicianreimbursements. Last year theLegislature lowered prescriptiondispensing fee from $6 to $4 and gavethe executive administrator authority tocontract with a pharmacy benefit

manager to further reduce drugclaims costs.

This year efforts are beingmade by the State Health Plan tonegotiate lower reimbursement levels tohospitals adn physicians for outpatientservices. The State Health Plancurrently pays more than some othercommercial insurance carriers. TheState Health Plan will be negotiaingreimbursement levels to achievediscounts similar to those of othercommercial carriers.

This could generate savings of $130to $160 million.

New ProposalSenate Bill 822, introduced by Sen.

Tony Rand, calls for a Self-FundedHealth Care Plan. The State HealthPlan would design the plan and whilecopays would be significant, employeeswould be able to “pay as they go” andwould have no deductibles. This plancould be available in up to 92 of the 100counties.

Please keep in mind that these areonly proposals currently underconsideration by the General Assemblyand are subject to change. However, itis important that employees are keptabreast of the possible changes to healthinsurance coverage, and be prepared forwhat could happen. Because of theanticipated changes to health insurancecoverage, employees are urged to updatetheir mailing addresses with their benefitrepresentative to ensure that theyreceive the health insurance informationdistributed by the State Health Planduring annual enrollment.

Finally, the State Health Plan is still inthe process of litigation with the WellpathHealth Maintenance Organization(HMO) regarding the letters it sent out toemployees notifying them that they weredropping coverage in 13 counties. Until afinal decision is made regardingWellpath’s legal obligations under itscontract, Wellpath must providecoverage in the 13 counties.

The Department will continue toshare information with employeesregarding benefits, especially healthinsurance, as quickly as possible.Employees should direct questionsregarding their benefits to the benefitsrepresentative at their respective worklocations.✯

Changes LikelyIn Health Insurance

NEWLAND- Family, friends andformer co-workers of Bob Beamattended his funeral April 16 after helost his battle with cancer. Beamretired in 1994 as Branch B managerin what was the Division of AdultProbation and Parole. He started hiscareer in Correction in 1964 as aprobation officer in McDowellCounty. His wife Margaret said thatBob loved his job, the people withwhom he worked and that he wasloyal and dedicated to his profession.

Bob Beam LosesBattle With Cancer

Staff TrainingHonor Students

Deaths

Michael Barker DCC, Dist. 5Robert Bryson Haywood CCKevin Carroll DCC, Dist. 10John Craft DCC, Dist. 5Mary Lou Freeman DCC, Dist. 12Maichel Gould DCC, Dist. 14Michael Henrickson Piedmont CISherisse Kelly DCC, Dist. 10Michael Millard DCC, Dist. 8BMargaret Norris DCC, Dist. 10Larry Respass DCC, Dist. 7Ivey Shearin DCC, Dist. 9BChristy Vernon DCC, Dist. 9B

Jimmy Bullock Sampson CIDana Robinson Polk YIAnthony Taylor Polk YI

May 2001Correction News 9

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Judith Allman Prob/Par Officer Tr DCC, Dist. 27AAngela Armston Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 14

Barbara Balmer Accounting Clerk V Tillery CCHoward Barnes Prison Indus Supv IV Sign PlantJohnnie Bell Processing Asst IV Combined Rec.Prudence Bergan Processing Asst V EHAWilliam Capps Correctional Sergeant Nash CICelisa Carpenter Corr Programs Asst II Western YIDarian Chamblee Prob/Par Surv Officer DCC, Dist. 10Florence Clifton Inform Processing Tech EHAThomas Conti Prob/Par Officer Tr DCC, Dist. 15ADonna Corn Accounting Clerk IV Mt. View CIJoseph Daniel Lead Corr Officer Odom CICatherine Eagles Prob/Par Unit Supv III DCC, Dist. 10Joseph Elliott Prob/Par Surv Officer DCC, Dist. 2Eveline Faulk Nurse Supervisor II Polk YIFlorine Foxwell Sub Abuse Counselor II NCCIWRobin Griffin Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 22Clifford Haaf Correctional Officer Tr Harnett CIPhillip Harrell Correctional Sergeant Franklin CCRoxanne Hill Correctional Sergeant Nash CIMarrio Jeter Prob/Par Officer Tr DCC, Dist. 5Linda Joyner Processing Asst IV Sign PlantSteven Kershaw Prob/Par Surv Officer DCC, Dist. 16AAugustus King Correctional Lieutenant Caledonia CIKimberly Kocik Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 20BIngrid Legrande Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 18Seth Lingerfelt Asst Drill Instructor IMPACT WestTemeka McCormick Lead Nurse Brown Creek CIFrederick McDougall Sub Abuse Prog Coun I SARGE/ButnerMelissa McKinney Correctional Sergeant Avery/Mit. CICarrie McKoy Correctional Sergeant Columbus CIOrsby McMillan Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 14Sheila McMillan Admin Officer II Warren CILetisha McPherson Corr Programs Asst II Pasquotank CIJerry Mace Jr. Lead Nurse Western YINancy Mahnke Corr Psy Serv Coord Morrison YIDebra Mangum Processing Asst IV Central Prison

Rick Marrow Sub Abuse Counselor I DART/CaswellDanna Metz Nurse Supervisor III Central PrisonDorcas Miller Corr Psy Serv Coord NCCIWKanyama Mosley Sub Abuse Counselor I DART-PolkFrederick O’Neal Correctional Lieutenant Central PrisonTorie Osborne Correctional Sergeant Odom CIWilliam Outland Prob/Par Surv Officer DCC, Dist. 6BJeff Patton Insti Class Coordinator Nash CIMelvin Peters Correctional Lieutenant Marion CIMichael Phipps Prob/Par Officer Tr DCC, Dist. 23Brenda Pittman Correctional Lieutenant Johnston CILeroy Powell Jr. Correctional Lieutenant Caledonia CIRoland Pruitt Corr Programs Supv NCCIWRobert Raetz Correctional Sergeant NCCIWAhnighito Riddick Correctional Sergeant Pasquotank CIBertha Rutherford Prob/Par Officer Tr DCC, Dist. 25BTodd Sellers Prob/Par Officer Tr DCC, Dist. 6BGary Sessoms Correctional Sergeant Duplin CCWillie Sewell Correctional Sergeant Durham CCJeffrey Sherrill Asst Drill Instructor IMPACT WestWendell Stallings Corr Behavioral Spec I Polk YIMonica Stewart Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 21Sandra Stewart Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 9BVelton Stone Prison Indus Supv I Soap PlantDouglas Thompson Sub Abuse Prog Supv DART/NCCIWStephanie Thompson Prob/Par Surv Officer DCC, Dist. 5Gregory Tillman Correctional Captain Southern CIJames Tuck Jr. Correctional Captain Nash CIMarilyn Turnage Processing Asst IV NCCIWNadine Vehe Prob/Par Unit Supvr III DCC, Dist. 28Overly Vivas Lead Nurse NCCIWKerry Whitson Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 5Darryl Wilson Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 22Gregory Wilson Prob/Par Officer Tr DCC, Dist. 10Krystal Wilson Prob/Par Officer II DCC, Dist. 17ATeresa Woodside Prob/Par Officer DCC, Dist. 3BGlenn York Sub Abuse Prog Mgr I DACDP/

Western Reg.

Nominations are now being acceptedfor the 2001 Governor’s Awards forExcellence. The State’s highest honorwas created to acknowledge andexpress appreciation for outstandingaccomplishments made by employees.

Nominees must be permanent Stateemployees. The categories fornominations are: outstanding stategovernment service, innovations, public

service, safety and heroism and humanrelations.

Nominations should be submitted nolater than Friday, June 22 to Fran Stallings,DOC Administration, 214 West JonesStreet, MSC 4201, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-4201. To get a copy of the nominationform and rules, contact yoursuperintendent, judicial district manager ordivision director.

Governor’s Awards For ExcellenceNomination Deadline Approaching

(Chavis Continued from page 3)

Name Promoted To Location Name Promoted To Location

time, her grandfather owned some ofthe land that is now part of theUniversity. Chavis and her husbandKenneth have a daughter in college anda son in high school. She is an activemember of Berea Baptist Church inPembroke. In her spare time, sheenjoys fishing and tending the flowers inher yard.

Chavis replaces Bob Lewis who waspromoted to support services directorfor the Division of Prisons.✯

May 2001 Correction News10

Correction News is a publication of the North Carolina Department of Correction. Send any news, suggestions, orstories to Pamela Walker, Public Information Office, 4201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4201. Telephone:(919) 716-3700. FAX: (919) 716-3795. Please include your name and telephone number on all submissions.

InmatesWorking

Printed UsingInmate Labor

NC Department of Correction214 West Jones StreetMSC 4201Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4201www.doc.state.nc.us

National Medical Laboratory Week ObservedBy Karen Kelly

During the observation of NationalMedical Laboratory Week (NMLW)from April 15 to 21, the Department ofCorrection recognized its medicallaboratory professionals. The week is atime of celebration for theapproximately 265,000 medicallaboratory professionals and 15,000board certified pathologists whoperform and interpret medicallaboratory tests across the country. Thetheme was “Laboratory Professionals:Solving Today’s Medical Mysteries.”

The Division of CommunityCorrections, Substance AbuseScreening Program has six substanceabuse screening labs across the statewith two medical laboratory techniciansat each lab. They are: Sharon Haganand Jovita Rodgers, Greenville; AgnesMorton and Manita Badger, Raleigh;Felicia Jenkins and Lynn Palmieri,Fayetteville; Susie Williams and JamesGoode, Greensboro; Rosa Covingtonand Connie Dinh, Charlotte; and Rose

Powell and Elaine Nelson, Asheville.The medical laboratory technicians

are responsible for receiving allspecimens in the lab, inspecting thespecimen and paperwork for accuracyand documented chain of custody, datestamping all forms as received in the laband properly storing the sample until it isscreened. Once the validity of thespecimen is verified, the technician mustenter data into the lab’s screeningdatabase. This database communicateswith the screening instrument and is ableto generate worklists and screeningrequests that are sent to the screeninginstrument. The screening instrumentsends back to the database results ondrugs screened and other results of testsperformed on each specimen. Once theresults have been reviewed for accuracy,a report is generated and mailed or faxedto the officer or facility requesting thetest. The technicians are responsible forkeeping the instrument, as well as theMillipore water system, clean andfunctional. Other duties include keeping

an inventory of reagents, calibrators,and controls, keeping all maintenance/action logs up to date, discardingspecimens according to standardprocedures, and maintaining alldocuments for three years from date ofreceipt.

Recently a bid was awarded for anew drugs of abuse screeninginstrument to be used by the labs.Community Corrections is in the processof transitioning from the currentscreening instrument to the new one.Once the transition to the newinstrument and database is complete, allscreening results will be transmitted toOPUS so that the Division ofCommunity Corrections and the Divisionof Prisons will have instant access toresults, in lieu of hard copy reports. Thenew instrument will allow greatercapability of screening and otherfunctions that will be beneficial not onlyto the labs but to the agencies for whomscreens are performed.✯