Field Days

The One Day With God camp, run by Forgiven Ministry, Inc., aims to provide prisoners with an opportunity to parent from behind bars. The camp Is a two-day program, which allows these moms and dads to enjoy a full day of special and meaningful moments with their children.Scottie Barnes, who founded Forgiven Ministry with her husband Jack, shares her stories about the children she hopes will not fall into the cycle of criminality their parents did.

The joy a dog brings to a correctional facility is not lost on the prisoners that train them in the 29 dog programs from various agencies or shelters, that operate in 21 correctional facilities across the state. Dogs trained and rehabilitated in these programs go on to become emotional support companions, therapy dogs, service dogs, and in some cases a well-behaved family pet.In a new episode of Field Days Podcast, Chris and Greg interview two MDOC staff who help facilitate the oldest and the youngest dog programs in the state. They both speak to the positive change they see at the facility, and in the prisoners themselves.Amy Houtz, an ARUS at Lakeland Correctional Facility, which is home to the longest running dog training program, The Greyhound Inmate Experience and Devyn Rodgers, a prison counselor at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility, which now operates two dog programs are today’s podcast guests.

Realizing this is a challenging time for staff, department spokesman Chris Gautz provides an overview of what to expect for MDOC staff affected by the Ojibway Correctional Facility closure. He will share insight as to why OCF was chosen for closure and stresses that the department is working diligently to provide opportunities to fill vacant positions.You can read more about the facility closure here: bit.ly/Ojibway-Closure

Field Days Podcast - PA Corrections Sec. John Wetzel (part 2) by Field Days

Weztle POD Part 2 FINAL by Field Days

Field Days Podcast - PA Corrections Sec. John Wetzel by Field Days

In this episode of Field Days podcast, Chris and Greg interview Lynn Sullivan, a long time employee of the department and a current trainer at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility officer recruit academies. Lynn just wrapped up facilitating training for her second to last academy class leading up to her retirement from the department this coming November. In her interview, she talks about her passion for influencing the next generation of MDOC employees.

In this episode of the Field Days podcast, the team is joined by a special guest to help celebrate Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week, or PPPS Week. Veronica Cunningham (pictured: far right), Executive Director of the American Parole and Probation Association (APPA), joins Chris and Greg to discuss what great work the probation and parole agents of the MDOC do on a daily basis to achieve offender success. Visit APPA-net.org to learn more about the association.

Field Days Podcast - 100th! by Field Days

Field Days Podcast - 2018 Polar Plunge Rerun by Field Days