Charles L. Ryan Director 05/09/2013 National Correctional Officers Week May 5-11, 2013 Today, I had the privilege of accompanying ten correctional officers - each representing one of our ten state facilities -- to the Arizona State Capitol to be on hand as Governor Janice K. Brewer presented a proclamation that May 5-11 be recognized as "Correctional Officers Week." The week is an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication of correctional professionals in communities across the state. During Governor Brewer's proclamation presentation, she greeted the officers and honored them for the valuable service for the people of Arizona. It's truly an honor to have the Governor highlight the work of our correctional officers. A full story, including a photo of the event, is available on the following link: Governor Brewer Honors Arizona Correctional Officers. Sincerely,
Charles L. Ryan
05/07/2013 Honoring Arizona's Fallen Officers It was an honor to once again help represent the staff of the Arizona Department of Corrections at the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Service on Monday. This was the 40th year of the memorial service. I am pleased to say that all ten ADC Wardens were in attendance to honor and pay respects to the 308 fallen officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice over the past 150 years in Arizona. This year, the service commemorated Deputy Sheriff David Wargo of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Agent Nicholas Ivie, United States Border Patrol and Customs. Both officers died in 2012. It was a most impressive ceremony and I appreciate all of those who participated. One special highlight was the singing of the national anthem, performed by our own Sergeant Katina Murphy. It was an inspiring contribution and a proud moment for the Department. Sergeant Murphy has also been chosen to perform the anthem as she represents ADC this year at the National Peace Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. If you have not had an opportunity to visit the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial yourself, let me highly recommend that you do. The memorial is located in the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza across from the Arizona State Capitol. It is a solemn tribute for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families, and it reminds us of the risk that every member of Arizona law enforcement is put in each day in order to protect us. Click photos to enlarge
Sincerely,
Charles L. Ryan
04/19/2013 National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 21-27, 2013 The Arizona Department of Corrections is proud to observe National Crime Victims' Rights Week each year to honor crime victims and ensure their rights are protected. I continue to be amazed by the dedication and commitment of our Office of Victims Services that assist over 10,000 crime victims across the state. Through their efforts they ensure the rights of victims are upheld and never forgotten as they begin the long process of healing and rebuilding their lives. The Office of Victims Services staff worked in partnership with the state prisons around Arizona in holding inmate fundraisers to raise money and provide awareness of victim rights organizations. Money collected is donated to dozens of community based organizations throughout Arizona. A few of those organizations include: Arizonans for Children, West Valley Crisis Center, Against Abuse, New Life Center, and Sarah's House and Family Advocacy Center. I am pleased to announce, during this past year, The Arizona Department of Corrections has raised over $125,000.00 for Crime Victims of Arizona. The Arizona Department of Corrections is proud to be a community partner assisting organizations dedicated to serving crime victims. Sincerely,
Charles L. Ryan
04/05/2013 HB2204 Signing Ceremony Today, I had the honor of accompanying Governor Janice K. Brewer at a signing ceremony for HB2204, which provides families of fallen officers with the same level of insurance after the death of their loved one. Officer deaths are something that we do everything we can at ADC to prevent. However, we must also prepare for these tragic circumstances. And it is the Governor's and my belief that it is the duty of the state to provide these benefits to the families of fallen officers who serve our state so honorably. I am pleased to inform you that this increased level of security will be effective immediately. If you have any additional questions please contact Diann Staymates at Dstaymat@azcorrections.gov. Sincerely, Charles L. Ryan 03/28/2013 DIRECTOR'S DESK: BE PART OF THE SOLUTION We make decisions in the workplace every day. In many of those instances, the department's policies provide us with consistent direction. For some individuals, though, the fact that the decision is already defined doesn't necessarily make it an "easy" decision to make. Take a situation involving sexual harassment. Director's Order 527, Sexual Harassment and Employment Discrimination, requires all employees to immediately report misconduct to their Warden, Bureau Administrator, any supervisor, Equal Opportunity Liaison or the Equal Opportunity Officer. It is important to report suspected sexual harassment so that management can take immediate action to address and correct the situation. No employee should be subjected to this type of inappropriate behavior, and immediate reporting of concerns will stop any harassment of the possible victim as soon as possible. Further, giving management a very timely opportunity to correct the problem can reduce the potential liability to the department. Of course, we could prevent sexual harassment altogether by consistently demonstrating ethical and professional conduct. When we see people failing in this regard, it's important for us to make the choice to be a part of the solution rather than someone who allows the problem to continue. Concerns regarding sexual harassment may be raised orally or in writing to any of the individuals noted above. So, if someone is uncomfortable reporting possible sexual harassment to their chain of command, they may speak with the Equal Opportunity Officer. If an employee is not comfortable reporting this to his/her immediate supervisor, he/she may go directly to the Warden. Perhaps you know a staff member who would prefer to send a memo rather than to have a conversation. That's acceptable, too. By providing so many ways to report alleged harassment, the department makes it easier for each of us to be a part of the solution. Sometimes, employees don't come forward because they fear retaliation. The Director's Order addresses that as well: Department employees shall not sexually harass, discriminate or retaliate against another employee. To be subjected to harassment is unacceptable. To be further subjected to retaliation for having brought a concern to management is like adding insult to injury, and it is equally unacceptable. Management has a number of administrative ways to prevent and address retaliation, so if that is a concern, please contact the Equal Opportunity Officer. By helping to prevent and address retaliation, we are choosing to be part of the solution. As you think about the decisions you'll make going forward, I ask that you carefully consider the type of respectful and professional workplace in which you would want your loved ones to work. You would want them treated in a way that is free from sexual harassment and retaliation. You would want others to promptly report any misconduct to which they were subjected. You would want to know their employer was working hard to immediately address problems that were brought to management's attention. Now think about your colleagues and coworkers. Don't you want the same for them? If you do, you'll create and maintain that kind of workplace in ADC. You will choose to be one of those who are proud to be part of the solution. Regards, Charles L. Ryan 03/21/2013 Obstacle Run Benefitting the 100 Club The 100 Club of Arizona is hosting an obstacle course event Saturday, April 20. The event will be located right next to ASPC-Lewis at the Arizona Cycle Park. The Cahoots Duo Challenge: PRISON BREAK is the night version of the popular two person team event with a Prison Break theme. Teams of two will swing, climb, crawl, and pull each other over, under and through the obstacles. Proceeds from this event will help the 100 Club provide assistance to first responders around Arizona. The mission of the 100 Club of Arizona is to provide immediate financial assistance to the families of injured and fallen public safety officers and firefighters and to provide resources to enhance their safety and welfare. For more information about this event, log onto: www.runcahoots.com Get your teams signed up and have fun while supporting the 100 Club. Charles L. Ryan 03/07/2013 LETR Well Underway The 2013 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona campaign is already in full swing. Each year more and more athletes join Special Olympics Arizona. There are more than 13,000 athletes in Arizona that compete in 24 individual and team sports. Best of all, athletes participate free of charge. The financial and in-kind support of LETR helps make it possible for athletes to never be charged a fee to compete! There are many ways to get involved with this worthy organization. Each complex will host several events throughout the year. Additionally, LETR/SOA will host many other events that may be a fun way to participate and raise money for the athletes across Arizona. For a complete list of all events, please visit the website below: LETR's goal this year is $1million, and with your help, we hope to achieve this mark for the first time in Arizona! Thank you for the continued support of LETR/SOA. Charles L. Ryan 02/21/2013 SECC Draws Four ADC Winners I am pleased to announce that a total of four ADC employees have won the SECC grand prize of $1,000. The SECC, along with the Arizona State Credit Union, presented $1,000 checks to 20 state employees that contributed to the 2012-2013 campaign. The most recent winners were Community Corrections Officer, Marlon Booth; and CO III Joseph O'Driscoll. Photos of all four ADC winners are available on the following link: 2012 SECC Winners. Congratulations and thank you to every employee that contributed to this past SECC campaign. Charles L. Ryan 02/11/2013 Inmate Assaults on Staff Assaults on staff are an issue of significant concern to the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC). While ADC's mission is focused on serving and protecting the public, we are also dedicated to ensuring safety and security within prison walls - and keeping staff and inmates safe. Public safety is our primary mission. The availability of sufficient staffing resources is critical. The information in the links below will hopefully provide a better understanding of the measures taken by the Department to keep staff and inmates safe: January Corrections at a Glance Sincerely, Charles L. Ryan 02/04/2013 Staff Conduct As public safety corrections professionals, we should be keenly aware of the need to conduct both our personal and professional lives in a manner that is above reproach. Like it or not, we are held to a higher standard of behavior than the citizens we serve, and we are under constant scrutiny for everything we do - on or off the job. Many of you may not be aware that a number of your fellow employees are arrested or become involved in illegal activities each and every week. In fact, in the past four and a half years, there have been 640 staff arrests, of which 433 - over two thirds - were for behaviors like domestic violence, fighting, assaults, harassment, drug use and possession, and drinking-related offenses. Unfortunately the trend for staff arrests on these dangerous activities is rising, averaging almost eleven (11) arrests per month. This concerns me greatly. The behavior of the few employees who choose to involve themselves in illegal activity significantly impacts the public's perception of the law-abiding employees of this agency. When the bad behavior of the few becomes public knowledge, the confidence and trust placed in all of us by the citizens of Arizona is eroded. No one doubts that employment in corrections can place unique pressures on staff, yet irresponsible alcohol consumption or drug abuse - which can lead to Driving Under the Influence (DUI) - and a tendency to solve problems with violence are neither acceptable nor wise tactics for dealing with those pressures. To support its employees, the Department offers access to a confidential, free employee assistance program. For more information on that program, please check the ADC Intranet, click on Employee Links, and then on Employee Assistance Providers. You may also call Gail Perry at (602) 364-1895. The Department also provides a Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), which is a group of employees specially trained in helping staff through traumatic or emotionally difficult events. Our CIRT team stands at the ready, 24/7. Ms. Perry can also provide information on CIRT, or you can talk to your supervisor to find a CIRT team member at your location. Another option is to seek one of the many free resources external to ADC. An example of these is found at www.arizonacelebraterecovery.org. I am finalizing the details and will soon add another corrections-focused employee program that provides education and support for our staff and their families to help them meet the unique challenges of our work environment. For those employees who are feeling the stress, it is not a sign of weakness to seek help. On the contrary, it is a sign of strength and courage to choose the constructive path, and I urge you to do so. To our employees who have learned healthy ways to cope with the demands of this profession, please keep an eye out for ways you can share that knowledge with others. A chat with a coworker who truly understands the pressure a fellow officer is feeling might mean the difference between a quiet evening at home with family or a domestic violence situation. It also might keep someone from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Arizona's citizens trust us to protect them. That also means we need to look out for one another and for ourselves, when that becomes necessary. I challenge each of you to join with me and all our coworkers in taking action to reduce the number of DUI, domestic violence, assault, and similar incidents at ADC. Click here to view the Negative Law Enforcement Contact Data. Sincerely, Charles L. Ryan 01/23/2013 Another SECC Prize Winner I am pleased to announce a second ADC employee has won a $1,000 prize from the SECC and the Arizona State Credit Union. Deputy Warden Andrew Jackson, ASPC-Perryville/ San Carlos Unit, was randomly selected from thousands of state employees who contributed to the 2012 SECC campaign. I am even more pleased to announce that DW Jackson stated that he would donate these winnings back to SECC. The Department contributed over $60,000 during last year's campaign. All state agencies came together and pledged over $732,000 to SECC. Over the years, ADC employees have been generous contributors to this campaign and I want to thank all of you for your support. Your donation, no matter how big or small, continues to make our communities and world a better place. A full story, including a photo, is available on the following link: SECC check presentation. Congratulations and thank you for supporting many worthy organizations through SECC. Charles L. Ryan 01/11/2013 SECC Prize Winner I am pleased to announce that Senior Procurement Specialist, Janie Terry, won a $1,000 prize from the SECC and the Arizona State Credit Union. Ms. Terry was randomly selected from thousands of state employees who contributed to the 2012 SECC campaign. In the past 19 years, state employees have raised over $23 million to support charities across the state, nations and the world. Over the years, ADC employees have been generous contributors to this campaign and I want to thank all of you for your support. Your donation, no matter how big or small, continues to make our communities and world a better place. A full story, including a photo, is available on the following link: SECC check presentation. Congratulations and thank you for supporting the SECC. Charles L. Ryan |
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