Field Days

Listen to the replay of Field Days Podcast most popular episode with Lt. Charles Levens from the Absconder Recovery Unit.

Matthew Alman was one of 13 agents that took their oath and received an official welcome to their new roles as parole and probation agents to the department by Deputy Director Russ Marlan and his executive staff. In this episode of Field Days, Matt talks about why he decided to become a parole agent and you'll hear some of the deputy director's remarks.

Matt Yeager and Jerry Johnston, are both Optical Trades Instructor at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility and teach offenders in the trade the ins and outs of the optical industry. Some qualifying offenders even have the opportunity to receive the nationally recognized ABO certification. The optical lab also gives back to less fortunate communities through a program at Ferris State University.

Pete Martel, a mitigation specialist at the State Appellate Defender's Office and former 14-year inmate talks about how having family support and attending community college set him on a path to becoming a lawyer.

Rob Engel, a former offender who battled drug addiction is now a Outreach Specialist at the Lansing Financial Empowerment Center. Rob helps parolees and probationers reduce their debts and improve their financial health. He shares his success with our Field Days host in this week's episode.

The Vivitrol Pilot Program is the first step to broadening medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid substance abusers. Vivitrol is an injection that is administered to offenders on a voluntary basis to block the feelings of getting drunk or high. Noah returns as co-host with Chris to interview Sherri Sankey, the health unit manager and Keith Jones, a mental health social worker from the Detroit Reentry Center. Julia Hitchingham, the substance abuse services manager also provides an overview of why the department is utilizing Vivitrol.

Ryan Powell and Angie Sprank from the reentry join Chris and Greg to talk about the truck driving training program for offenders looking to start a rewarding career after prison. You can also read more about the truck driving program in the Corrections Connection: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/CC_FebruaryNewsletter2017_552842_7.pdf

Returning co-host Noah Nagy joins Chris Gautz this week to talk about the Wayne County Residential Alternative to Prison (WRAP) program at Detroit Reentry Center with agent Verlynda Winston. She provides an overview of the intensive second chance program that provides G.E.D. classes and skilled trade opportunites for probation violators.

Happy Valentine's Day, listeners! Field Days, talks to Kyle Kaminski, the department's legislative liaison about the current budget proposal. He provides an overview of the budget process and what's included in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

In this episode of Field Days, Lieutenant Levens from the Absconder Recovery Unit (ARU), talks to Greg and Chris about the hardships, the successes and what it takes to be a member of the ARU team.