Field Days

On the latest episode of Field Days, Chris and Greg sit down with Calvin University Professor Dr. Todd Cioffi. Dr. Cioffi is the Director for the Calvin Prison Initiative, a unique program that provides a liberal arts education to prisoners at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility. Each year, 20 students from prisons around Michigan are selected and enrolled in the five year program. This spring, for the first time, prisoners will be graduating from Calvin University with a Bachelor's Degree in Faith and Community Leadership. Learn more at: https://calvin.edu/prison-initiative/

On the latest episode of Field Days, Chris and Greg have the pleasure of announcing the Master of Ceremonies for the 2020 MDOC Employee Appreciation Banquet, Crissa Blankenburg! Crissa is the acting manager for the Office of Community Corrections, a previous Professional Excellence Award winner, and a dedicated MDOC and State of Michigan employee.

Governor Whitmer proclaimed February 24 - 29, 2020 Opioid Use Disorder Awareness Week in Michigan. Opioid use disorder is a chronic health condition that affects tens of thousands in Michigan, many of whom are housed in our prisons or on parole or probation. MDOC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carmen McIntyre Leon sat down with Chris and Greg to talk about the science behind substance abuse, the department's Medication-Assisted Treatment program, and why changing the way we think about addiction is key to solving the nation's opioid crisis.Also in this episode: Addiction Neuroscience 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwZcPwlRRccMarquette Branch Prison History: https://soundcloud.com/field-days/marquette-branch-prison-history

On the latest episode of Field Days, Deputy Warden Karri Osterhout joins Chris and Greg to discuss gender responsive programming and services at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility.In 2018, the MDOC launched a Gender Informed Practice Assessment at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility and put it's focus on the unique needs of female offenders. That work led to the creation of the WHV Strategic Plan. The plan is designed to make sure the facility offers programs and care that is gender responsive, trauma-informed and evidence-based. Review the WHV Strategic Plan at: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/WHV_Strategic_Plan_2019_2022_665149_7.pdf

Trauma is a costly public health problem occurring as a result of violence, abuse, and other emotionally harmful experiences. The Michigan Department of Corrections realizes the impact of trauma on both staff and offenders and is taking steps to become a trauma-informed department. On the latest episode of Field Days, Chris and Greg sit down with OPT Psychologist Adriane Foster, one of three employees leading the department's training on trauma and ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences.Learn more about the Michigan ACE Initiative at https://www.miace.org/

On the latest episode of Field Days, Chris and Greg are joined by Friend of the Pod and Field Days fan favorite, Lieutenant Charles Levens. This past weekend was a busy one for the Lieutenant's Absconder Recovery Unit. ARU was hard at work searching for MDOC prisoner Talleon Stephon Brazil, who was improperly released following a court appearance in Ohio. Mr. Brazil is now back in custody and "L.T." is back on Field Days to share how they tracked him down.MDOC Strategic Plan 2019 Progress Report: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/STRATEGIC_PLAN_Progress_report_2019_FINAL_680120_7.pdf

On the latest episode of Field Days, Greg and Holly sit down with Jeff Anderson, administrator with the Office of Research and Planning, for an update on the Corrections Offender Management System (COMS) roll out. Tune in to find out what's in store for COMS and MDOC staff in 2020!

On the latest episode of Field Days, Chris and Greg sit down with Andrea Rachko with Special Olympics Michigan and Macomb Correctional Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteers Robert Leduc, Frank Sgambati, and Karen Solgot. Listen now for details on upcoming fundraising events and volunteer opportunities, including polar plunges throughout the state, and how staff and their families can join in and make a difference in the life of some amazing Michigan athletes.Field Days Extra: Listen back to when Deputy Director Rus Marlan took the plunge! https://soundcloud.com/field-days/field-days-podcast-deputy-director-marlan-takes-the-plunge

On the latest episode of Field Days, Chris Gautz and Greg Straub give listeners a sneak peek at the upcoming Strategic Plan Progress Report, discuss the statistics behind the steady and safe decline of Michigan's prison population, and give a shout out to retiring Assistant Deputy Director Lloyd Rapelje.View the MDOC Strategic Plan: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/Corrections_Strategic_Plan_2014-18_456710_7.pdfPrevious episodes with Dr. Brian Lovins:https://soundcloud.com/field-days/referees-vs-coacheshttps://soundcloud.com/field-days/brian-lovins-podcast

On the latest episode of Field Days, Chris Gautz and Greg Straub look at what's ahead for the Michigan Department of Corrections in 2020.Michigan’s prison population continued its steady and safe decline in 2019. Data-driven policies, evidence-based research and the department's Offender Success model all led to the reduction, which brought the state prison population down to a number not seen since the mid-1990s.2019 was a fantastic year for the Department of Corrections. We're excited to share just a peek of what 2020 will bring!