On May 8, ten Correctional Officers from the Arizona Department of Corrections were handpicked to witness Governor Janet Napolitano sign a proclamation declaring the week of May 7-13 Correctional Officers Week in Arizona. 

This year, ADC sent its finest canine officers from each of its 10 prison complexes.

“Each year for CO Week, we choose a theme to showcase the many different talents of our Corrections Officers. We have many exceptional Officers throughout our complexes who perform many different duties,” Director Dora Schriro said.  “I’ve been “jailin” for 30 years and worked in a lot systems, and I tell people everyday that the corrections professionals in the Arizona Department of Corrections are the most spectacular workforce I have ever come across.”

Each complex warden selected the Officers. The regional operations director and Service Dog Administrator Ralph Pendergast then approved the selection. The Officers who were selected included: Iran Miller, ASPC-Eyman, Kenneth Vance, ASPC-Florence, Elizabeth Payne, ASPC-Phoenix, Jonathan Fertig, ASPC-Safford, Alvin McPherson, ASPC-Winslow, Abraham Sandoval, ASPC-Yuma, Ruben Gomez, ASPC-Tucson, Stephen Bowie, ASPC-Douglas, Suzette Whitaker, ASPC-Lewis and Theresa Burns, ASPC- Perryville. 

Among this year’s group of Correctional Officers was Kenneth Vance, a seven-year veteran with ADC. Vance, a canine handler at ASPC-Florence, played a major role in tracking an inmate who recently escaped out of Florence West, a privately run facility operated by Correctional Services Corporation.  

“Kenny was out on the frontline with one of our hounds the entire time. He did a heck of a job,” Service Dog Administrator Ralph Pendergast said.

ADC deployed tracking teams from Douglas, Safford, Florence and Lewis to track the inmate.  

“Everyone worked so well together, I was very pleased.” Pendergast said.  

Every year since 1985, correctional officers have been honored during the first full week of May.  In Arizona, 4,857 work in prison facilities throughout Arizona helping ensure the safety of millions of Arizona citizens by putting their lives on the line every day.

“I’ve been working for ADC for 14 years. Taking part in Correctional Officers Week and meeting the Governor was definitely the highlight of my career,” CO II Alvin McPherson said.

Prior to the signing of the proclamation, Director Schriro presented Governor Napolitano with a Do-Right Award for making a competitive pay package plan for Correctional Officers one of her top priorities.

Family Tracks: The Vances

They’ve trained together for most of their lives but on May 4, Arizona Department of Corrections father and son service dog handlers finally got the chance to work together.

Sergeant Kenneth Vance Sr. and Correctional Officer Kenneth Vance Jr. were called to apprehend an inmate who escaped from Florence West, a privately run facility operated by Correctional Services Corporation. The junior and senior Vance worked 12-plus hours tracking the inmate.

"I arrived at 8:30 a.m., and I was informed that my dad had already been working the escape off site at Douglas," Vance Jr. said. "But that doesn’t surprise me, he has been working that hard throughout his whole career."

The elder Vance began his career 20 years ago at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Douglas. Vance Sr. has spent his entire ADC career at Douglas, the last 17 years as a canine handler.

"I started ADC when the canine program was in its infancy," Vance Sr. said. "I was working complex and around the dogs every day. I would watch the canine officers work up close, and I knew that’s where I wanted my career to go."

Vance is now a Sergeant who serves as a canine handler supervisor and member of Douglas’ Tactical Support Unit.

From the time he was a child, Vance Jr. wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

"I also wanted to work in Law enforcement. I guess my father and I followed my grandfather’s lead. He was a DPS officer," Vance Jr. said. "I chose ADC over DPS because I wanted to get involved with the Tactical Support Unit and the canine program."

As a kid, Vance Jr. would participate in canine drills with his father’s team at Douglas.

"I always played the escaping inmate, and I always got caught," Vance Jr. said. "The canine officers would give me a huge head start but eventually they would catch me."

Currently, Vance Jr. works at ASPC-Florence and is one of ADC’s top handlers. On May 8, he was recognized before Governor Janet Napolitano for his outstanding contributions to ADC and the public safety of Arizona.

"I am extremely proud of Kenny," Vance Sr. said.

Today, father and son train together periodically at in-service canine academies at the Correctional Officer Training Academy in Tucson. Away from work, they talk on the phone several times a week and visit with each other a few times a month.

"When we get together, we are always talking canine stuff and sharing best practices," Vance Jr. said.