4Q2011
A GEO Publication for Employees and their Families.
GEOAmey Assumes Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services (PECS) in the United Kingdom
Chairman’s Letter George C. Zoley Chairman, CEO and Founder
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o the GEO Family,
During the third quarter of 2011, our company achieved significant operational milestones with the activation of projects in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the US, our Western Region Operations team began the intake of immigration detainees at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center East, the first of two 650-bed detention centers to be located in Adelanto, California, which will house federal detainees under an agreement with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We had purchased the existing facility from the City of Adelanto in 2010 for $28 million and invested $22 million to renovate it for use by ICE. In August 2012, we will begin the intake of detainees at the second 650-bed facility, the Adelanto ICE Processing Center West, which we are currently developing with an estimated investment of $70 million. At full occupancy, the Adelanto ICE Processing Centers East & West are expected to generate approximately $42 million in annual revenues. This important project activation has placed GEO in a unique leadership position as the largest service provider to ICE under a partnership which began in 1987 at our first facility in Aurora, Colorado, for which we recently received a new tenyear management agreement. Effective September 16th, our new management agreement for the Aurora ICE Processing Center has expanded the contracted capacity at the center from 400 to 525 beds and has increased our transportation responsibilities resulting in estimated annual revenues of $23 million. Adding to our growing partnership with ICE, we are currently developing a new 600-bed Civil Detention Center in Karnes
County, Texas, which will be the first facility designed and operated for low risk immigration detainees in the United States. When activated early next year, this new center is expected to generate approximately $15 million in annual revenues for our company. We are also completing two important projects at the state level. In Georgia, we are developing the 1,500-bed Riverbend Correctional Facility, which is expected to generate approximately $28 million in annual revenues. In Indiana, we are expanding the New Castle Correctional Facility by 512 beds bringing the total capacity at the facility to 3,196 beds and adding approximately $8 million in annual revenues. Internationally, we assumed the provision of prison escort and custody services in Wales and England covering approximately 80 percent of the United Kingdom. Under our newly formed joint venture, GEOAmey PECS Ltd., we transitioned approximately 3,000 employees who are responsible for close to 500 secure transportation vehicles and approximately 2,600 daily offender movements. Our contracts for the provision of these services have an annual revenue value of approximately $150 million. Additionally, our wholly owned UK subsidiary, GEO UK Ltd., assumed management of the 217-bed Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre located near Glasgow, Scotland with annual revenue value of approximately $8 million. Our recent project activations demonstrate the global reach of our services both in terms of scope and geographic location. With a growing workforce of 20,000 employees and 116 facilities, GEO is the world leader in corrections, detention, and treatment services with unique service delivery capabilities and leadership positions in all market segments within our industry.
4Q2011
a publication of The GEO Group, Inc. A GEO Publication for Employees and their Families.
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER 2-3 GEOAmey Assumes Provision of Prisoner Escort & Court Custody Services (PECS) in the United Kingdom 4-5 GEO Holds 2011 Leadership Conference 6 UK Visits Lockhart GEO CORRECTIONS & DETENTION US Corrections & Detention 7 GEO’s Blackwater River Correctional Facility Receives LEED Gold Certification 8 A Milestone Paved In History 8 Operational Milestones 9 Family Portraits 9 Sheila Raye Charles The GEO Group Foundation, Inc. 10 The GEO Group Foundation Runs in Honor of Stephen Siller and the FDNY 11 Children’s Harbor 11 The GEO Foundation Supports Established Organizations like YMCA 12 Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch 13 The American Heart Association 14 Back Pack Attack in Plainfield, Indiana 14 1st Annual TXSO Bowling Tournament 15 GEO Cares 15 An Expression of Love 16 We Care!! 16 Young Scholars, Scholarships, & The GEO Foundation, Inc
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Helping Students to be Prepared Commitment to Community LCCF Gives Back Heartfelt Donations Arithmetic Sequence Puzzles Lawrenceville Correctional Center Lends a Helping Hand to the Community 20 Symmetry Puzzles 21 WRDF Helps In The Fight Against Crime 21 Foundation Support 22 Rabbit Ear Run - Big Success 23 Zedler Mill in Luling, Texas 24 LCCF Helps to Freeze Out Cancer 25 A Helping Hand in Hard Times 25 Graffiti Clean-up Day with City of McFarland 26 “World AIDS Day 2011” 27 Place of Hope International Service 28 Fulham is Employer of the Year 29 Indigenous Prisoners Celebrate their Culture 29 Multi-Balance Puzzles 30 Environmental Success Continues 30 Junee High School Breakfast Program 31 Barbecue Trailer a Community Asset GEO CARE 32 Creating a Safer Working Environment The GEO Group Foundation, Inc. 33 GEO Foundation & FCCC Help Renovate Local Emergency Room!
KALIA JOSEPH EDITOR IN CHIEF kmancell@geogroup.com www.geogroup.com
CONTRIBUTORS GEORGE ZOLEY PABLO PAEZ ABRAHAM COHEN
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The GEO Group, Inc. • One Park Place • 621 NW 53rd Street, Suite 700 • Boca Raton, Florida 33487 • 866.301.4436 • 561.893.0101 TABLE OF CONTENTS
GEOAmey Assumes Provision Custody Services (PECS)
Dr. Zoley with GEOAmey’s Gillian Duggan.
Activation marks largest contract in privatized corrections history
information and communications technology to drive more efficient, safe and secure prisoner movements resulting in significant cost savings.
At the stroke of midnight on August 29th, The GEO Group’s newly formed joint venture, GEOAmey PECS Ltd. assumed the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services in all of Wales and England with the exception of London and East of England under the largest contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Justice in the history of the privatized corrections industry.
GEOAmey is responsible for managing approximately 2,600 prisoner movements daily using a fleet of almost 500 purpose designed custody vehicles and covering approximately 17.5 million miles annually. GEOAmey provides prisoner escort and court custody services for approximately 250 courts and 123 jails and prisons throughout Wales and England.
GEOAmey is a joint venture between GEO Transport, Inc. (GTI), the world leader in secure offender transportation and Amey, one of the UK’s leading facility management service providers. GEOAmey will provide prisoner escort and court custody services in three geographic lots covering approximately 80 percent of England and all of Wales under a seven-year contracts with renewal options for three additional years with the UK Ministry of Justice. The three geographic lots include South West and South East; East Midlands, North East and Yorkshire/Humberside; and North West, West Midlands and Wales. The contracts have an annual revenue value of approximately $150 million.
Included in its vehicle fleet, GEOAmey commissioned the manufacturing of over 400 new vehicles that were designed and built to strict specifications based on a detailed analysis of prisoner movements and around UK Ministry of Justice requirements for safe, secure, comfortable, timely and cost efficient movement of prisoners.
The assumption of services on August 29th was preceded by months of preparation and start-up activities. GEO functional experts and professionals from both sides of the Atlantic worked together with the newly formed GEOAmey team to ensure a smooth transition of service delivery. GEOAmey worked in partnership with the UK Ministry of Justice to develop innovative logistical solutions supported by advanced 4 | GEOworld
These state-of-the-art vehicles are configured with 2, 6, 8 and 10 cells and are designed to accommodate the requirements of different categories of prisoners, so they can be transported together, enabling more efficient scheduling. Detailed analysis of patterns in the requirements for prisoner, movements between police custody, courts and prisons, along with an indepth understanding of the associated challenges was the basis for the design of GEOAmey’s vehicles and service solution. The vehicles’ modular interior construction keeps each prisoner separate from others, avoids visual contact, and reduces noise transference. The vehicles are equipped with Glass Reinforced Plastic technology which is of high strength, resistant to
COVER STORY
of Prisoner Escort & Court in the United Kingdom
GEOAmey Vehicle Depots
damage and fire, and is hygienic. In-vehicle cells are fully insulated and are supplied ventilation through separate hot and cold air conditioning systems to provide a constant and easily controllable temperature. Security of the vehicles has been improved through the installation of closed circuit television enabling custody officers to monitor the wellbeing of each prisoner on a frequent basis. GEOAmey operates 19 vehicle depot locations throughout Wales and England, including an Operations Control Center. These depot locations are strategically located and have been planned around a detailed analysis of prisoner movement requirements in order to achieve optimum efficiency and maximize cost savings. GEOAmey plans to use leading information and communications technology to achieve optimum efficiency in route planning, live vehicle tracking, and fleet scheduling. Route planning efficiency will be achieved through the use of market leading Paragon routing and fleet scheduling software. GEOAmey has worked with Paragon to develop a modified system specifically designed for its purposes.
flexible service delivery as well as meet requirements for unscheduled prisoner movements. GEO’s purpose designed proprietary GEOTrack 3.0 prisoner management system will monitor where prisoners are within the system at any time and feed into the prisoner escort record. This system has a proven record through extensive use by The GEO Group worldwide. Staff in GEOAmey vehicles will receive schedules, route plans, and other information instantly from the GEOAmey Operations Control Center via mobile communications channels. GEOAmey is committed to bringing a best practice approach to managing secure environments and transport logistics, setting industry leading and innovative benchmarks, improving service standards, and adding value to the UK Ministry of Justice through the cost efficient delivery of high quality services.
Live vehicle tracking will be achieved through the Masternaut technology system which provides the GEOAmey Operations Control Center with real time vehicle performance and use data. The Operations Control Center will also have access to live traffic information through the Trafficmaster system. Together these systems will enable optimum utilization of vehicles and will allow the Operations Control Center to provide a more COVER STORY
GEOAmey Vehicle
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GEO Holds 2011 he 2011 GEO Leadership Conference was held Sunday, September 25th through Friday, September 30th in Los Angeles, California. The conference got off to a great start on Sunday evening with a dinner via catering food trucks, the latest L.A. culinary craze.
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Opening Remarks: Monday morning, conference attendees were welcomed by John Hurley, President, GEO Corrections and Detention, and Mr. Norm Carlson, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and a member of GEO’s Board of Directors, brought greetings on behalf of the entire GEO Board of Directors. Other Board members who were present included Anne Foreman, Richard Glanton, Chris Wheeler, and Clarence Anthony. Company Overview: Following the opening remarks, GEO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, George C. Zoley provided an overview of the company. Dr. Zoley’s presentation highlighted GEO’s recent acquisitions of Cornell Companies and BI Incorporated and touched on GEO’s increasingly diversified service platform, which now includes a comprehensive “GEO Continuum of Care” with leading industry positions in all key market segments: corrections, detention, secure transportation, residential treatment, communitybased services, youth programs, and electronic monitoring. Company Growth: Dr. Zoley also provided an indepth presentation of current growth opportunities in the U.S. and International markets. Dr. Zoley’s Company Growth presentation provided details on important opportunities being pursued by GEO and its subsidiaries at the Federal and State levels in the U.S. as well as internationally in the U.K., South Africa, and New Zealand. Operating Costs Trends: Monday’s presentations also included a review by GEO’s Chief Financial Officer, Brian Evans of operating costs trends, a number of cost savings initiatives, and the importance of GEO’s budget and planning process. Risk Management, Contract Compliance and Health Services: Tuesday morning, GEO’s Vice President of Risk Management, Tom Boyer provided an overview of risk management and insurance trends. Additionally, GEO’s Vice President of Contracts, Amber Martin provided an overview of GEO’s contract and audit management systems, and GEO Care’s Vice President of Correctional Healthcare, Geralyn Johnson reviewed correctional health services and GEO’s Telehealth initiative. Training and Transportation: Tuesday’s presentations also included a review of training related matters by GEO’s Director of Training, 6 | GEOworld
GEO LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Leadership Conference Mark Karsonovich as well as a special video presentation of GEO Transport, Inc. by GEO’s Vice President of Transportation, Ed Stubbs. General Counsel and Human Resources: On Wednesday, GEO’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, John Bulfin presented on litigation trends and the process for referring claims to GEO’s Office of Professional Responsibility. Additionally, GEO’s Vice President of Human Resources, Steve Fuller reviewed several human resources related accomplishments as well as presented several initiatives aimed at improving employee wellbeing. BI Presentation: The general session ended on Wednesday with an insightful presentation from BI’s President, Bruce Thacher. Conference attendees learned about BI’s electronic monitoring and community supervision business segments as well as the future growth opportunities for this important GEO Care division. Break Out Sessions: Throughout the conference, attendees participated in break out meetings that focused on their respective departments, divisions or regional offices. These important breakout sessions had the participation of GEO’s Senior Management Team, including Dr. Zoley. Closing Dinner: On Friday evening, conference participants enjoyed a closing dinner, which featured the presentation of the “Martin McDaniel Warden of the Year Award” to Dwight Sims, Warden of GEO’s Reeves County Detention Center I & II. Special Thanks: GEO’s 2011 Leadership Conference was a resounding success thanks to the incredible efforts of Nicole Fehrman, Noelle McCarthy, and Rosa Suarez as well as GEO’s IT team who year in and year out do a wonderful job of planning and organizing every detail of the conference behind the scenes.
GEO LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
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UK Visits Lockhart Ronald Champion, Corporate
L-R: Luke Edwards, Andy Pryce, Alison Searle, and Crispin Blunt MP
he GEO Group was honored by a visit to the Lockhart Secure Work Program Facility on September 2, 2011 by the United Kingdom Minister of Justice Crispin Blunt and Ministry of Justice staff. Dr. George Zoley met with Minister Blunt earlier this year at the Home Office in London and extended an invitation for the Minister to visit a GEO Correctional Center.
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The visit was organized on behalf of the Minister by the British Counsel General’s Office in Houston. The Counsel’s Office review of the GEO website identified the Lockhart facility as a perfect fit for the Minister’s objectives of (1) better understanding how GEO operates secure correctional facilities and (2) understanding how offenders working for private employers during their incarceration could learn private sector job skills while defraying their cost of incarceration.
Lockhart is well known for its unique Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) Program providing employment opportunities to over 250 offenders. Annual wages earned by offenders employed through the PIE Program at Lockhart exceed several million dollars a year. Under state law, a portion of these wages is applied to their cost of incarceration, victim compensation, restitution, dependent support and offender savings. Minister Blunt toured offender housing and program units on both the male and female sides of the 1,000-bed secure correctional center as well as the Industry Workshops where offenders were busily engaged in the manufacturing of air conditioning components, circuit boards for computers and wiring harnesses. The Minister took time to speak with and listen intently to offenders and staff to better understand their views on a variety of topics from jobs to living conditions and rehabilitation opportunities. (pictured left) After the tour the Minister addressed Lockhart staff stating that he was very impressed with The GEO Group as well as the management and staff of the Lockhart Secure Work Program Facility. He stated he is eager to develop similar offender work programs in the United Kingdom. The Lockhart Secure Work Program Facility was developed by GEO following an award by the State of Texas and received offenders in 1993. Minister Blunt congratulated Senior Warden Robert White and his staff for the very positive atmosphere evidenced from his personal observations and from discussions with staff and offenders. To help ensure the Minister would always remember his trip to Lockhart, Warden White treated Minister Blunt and his staff to a traditional Texas barbecue lunch, renowned as simply the best barbecue one could experience.
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CORRECTIONS & DETENTION
GEO’s Blackwater River Correctional Facility Receives LEED Gold Certification n October 2011, Blackwater River Correctional Facility, located in Milton, Florida, became GEO’s first Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certified project to receive a Gold Certification. This 2,000-bed, state-of-the-art correctional facility consists of approximately 389,000 square feet which provides sufficient space to service the intended population. The design includes cell and dormitory housing, segregation, administration, programming space and support services. The facility is designed in a campus layout. Each housing building incorporates therapeutic living communities with medical, multipurpose, group and individual counseling rooms and recreation areas.
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In addition to its modern security and programming features, the Blackwater River Correctional Facility was designed and constructed and is operated in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Guidelines for Gold Certification. The LEED certification program is administered by Green Building Certification Institute. LEED certification is based on an evaluation of a number of environmental factors including but not limited to the sustainability of the site, the efficient use of water, energy, material and other resources, the quality of indoor air and overall environment, and the use of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies and strategies. The Blackwater River Correctional Facility uses Trane Tracer Energy Management Systems to help manage and control energy consumption. The facility has R30 roofs, and its walls have R20 insulation. The facility is also using heat reflective white roofing systems, and laundry water recycling systems have been installed in order to reduce the laundry water consumption by 50% and save on energy consumption. Low flow water fixtures are used throughout the facility.
dayrooms so lighting will shut off when the skylights provide sufficient light. The entire facility has a waste recycling program, and an extensive commissioning system for the electrical and heating and air conditioning systems was undertaken to optimize operating efficiency. For the first two years of operation, GEO purchased wind power through the grid to provide 70% of the electrical demand for the facility. In addition, local materials were used to minimize shipping and the related carbon footprint, and a green cleaning program was implemented. GEO activated Blackwater River Correctional Facility in October of 2010. The facility houses medium and close-custody offenders for the State of Florida, Department of Corrections. The facility provides secure care and custody, academic and vocational programs, and medical care, substance abuse programs, counseling and life skills training opportunities for 2,000 medium and close custody male inmates under the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections. This important recognition bestowed upon the Blackwater River Correctional Facility demonstrates GEO’s leadership in energy efficient and environmentally friendly facility designs and operational practices.
Additionally, the facility utilizes more efficient chilled water air conditioning systems, and photocells were installed in all CORRECTIONS & DETENTION
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A Milestone Paved In History Wanda Wilson, Desert View MCCF Excellence is defined as superiority; any valuable quality; an official title of honor. esert View Modified Community Correctional Facility’s (DVMCCF) (pictured) success has exhibited service, persistence, attention to detail, and professionalism promoting Excellence.
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High standards require goal setting, persistence, hard work, and consistency. In the past two years, under the direction and watchful eye of Warden Wanda Wilson, staff of DVMCCF have displayed ownership and dedication to duty setting their sights on the challenge presented to them by their competitive leader, “To Be The Best We Can Be.” We are proud to announce in November of 2010, DVMCCF received the first and only 100% client program compliance audit rating issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in the history of the California prison system. DVMCCF made history in the State of California achieving the highest score ever. I would like to take this opportunity to complement each and every DVMCCF employee for consistency and dedication. The facility, along with The GEO Group Foundation, continues to share their team spirit by making generous donations to the surrounding community. This year, recipients of those donations were The Boys & Girls Club of the Victor Valley; Adelanto Little League, Adelanto Science & Math Academy, Westside Park School and the High Desert Domestic Violence Program.
Warden Wilson honored all DVMCCF staff individually with certificates that stated, “You Make A Difference.” The staff of this 625-bed facility has been working under the radar with dedication and diligence to uphold a standard they have been proud of since 1997. A huge “THANK YOU” to the Desert View TEAM for all you have done to achieve this high standard! “We Made History.”
Operational Milestones Sheryl Augstums & Warden John Gay, Central Arizona Correctional Facility n May, members of the Central Arizona Correctional Facility (CACF) CERT Team were pressed into service in support of an airlift operation that moved inmates across different states. The CERT Team was required to physically operate inside the other private facility, conducting searches, outfitting and restraining each inmate before moving them to the busses for transport to the airport.
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The operation was a large team effort that involved a cross country shipping process of restraints, clothing and records; the coordination of local law enforcement for highway escort; and a transition of the inmates to a specialty trained GEO team at the airport, where the CACF CERT Team assumed and maintained ground security around the plane on the tarmac. Warden Gay reflected that with this being the first time the team had engaged in such an operation, he was very proud of the CACF CERT Team and the manner in which they carried out their responsibilities flawlessly.
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CACF CERT/Airlift Team
CORRECTIONS & DETENTION
Family Portraits Tina Gold, LaSalle Detention Facility
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ecently, David Donahue, VP of the Eastern Region, paid a visit to the LaSalle Detention Facility (LDF) and its newly appointed Warden, David C. Cole. (pictured) While touring the facility, a conversation ensued about Warden Cole’s new position with LDF in which the Warden remarked, “It’s like working with my family.” That thought resonated with the Warden and as a result, he initiated a plan to take an individual “family portrait” with every Correctional Officer at LDF during National Correctional Officers Week. After a week of visiting each officer at their duty post, Warden Cole stated, “I wore out a good pair of boots this week” while reflecting on his visits. Each staff member was given a copy of their photograph taken with Warden Cole to remember their “family portraits” in celebration of National Correctional Officers Week.
Sheila Raye Charles Rebecca Hatch, New Mexico Detention facility
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usband-and-wife team Sheila Jean Robinson and Tony Steptoe brought their One Way Up Prison Ministry to Northeast New Mexico Detention Facility on July 28th. Robinson, who performs as Sheila Raye Charles, is the daughter of the legendary Ray Charles (Robinson), named #2 on the list of 100 greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. The ministry program included testimonies from Robinson and Steptoe as well as a musical performance that included a medley of Ray Charles songs before an audience of about 100 inmates and several staff members. “Sheila Raye and Tony captivated inmates and staff alike with their heartfelt testimony, Bible-based message, and wonderful singing,” said Programs Warden Lynnwood Baade. “The Chaplain and I have heard inmates and staff discussing Sheila Raye’s presentation with excitement since she left. She definitely had an impact and provoked some serious introspection.” One Way Up Ministry has evolved through the story of Robinson and her journey to salvation. Her story starts with sexual abuse as a child and ends in federal prison in Byron, TX. It includes a 20-year crack cocaine addiction, losing custody of all five of her children, and the depths of physical violence. She shares her story with inmates around the world with the intentions of bringing a message of hope and love to a “hopeless” society, supporting the development of tools and resources for inmates re-entering society, and raising the awareness of the importance of prison ministry and mentoring.
Warden Tim Hatch, Tony Steptoe, Sheila Robinson (Sheila Raye Charles) and Lynnwood Baade, Assistant Warden, Programs.
Robinson has pursued her ministry since 2007 and has also shared her story at over 170 churches, recovery groups, and service organizations. Following their marriage in 2010, Steptoe has joined Robinson in sharing the message of One Way Up Ministry. He brings his own story of how choices he made detoured him from a full athletic scholarship to 11 years in a state prison including time in a Teen Challenge program. Robinson’s personal story is chronicled in her book, Behind the Shades. She has also produced a collection of music by the same name.
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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The GEO Group Foundation Runs in Honor of Stephen Siller and the FDNY
Officers that sacrificed their lives for the well-being of others on 9/11 Abraham Cohen, Corporate
n September 10, 2011, GEO Corporate employees gathered to run a 5K to honor the legacy of love given to us by Stephen Siller, FDNY, who sacrificed his life on 9/11. The Tunnel to Towers Organization’s mission is to follow Stephen’s footsteps by supporting children who have lost a parent, firefighters, and military who have been seriously injured and sacrifice their quality of life in the line of duty.
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On September 11th, firefighter Stephen Siller had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn. He was on his way to play golf with his brothers on that bright clear day when his scanner told news of the first plane hitting the Twin Towers. When he heard the news, he called his wife Sally to tell her he would be late because he had to help those in need. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear, then took his final heroic steps to the World Trade Center. When Stephen drove his truck to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, it was already closed to traffic. With sixty pounds of gear strapped to his back, he ran through the Tunnel, hoping to meet up with his own company, Squad 1. That day he never made it back to his family. The Tunnel to Towers 5K was started in New York City in 2001. People would gather to run/walk the path Stephen Siller took on 9/11, from the battery tunnel bridge to the twin towers. During the Tunnel to Towers 5K’s inaugural year, two thousand people showed up for this run. Ten years later in 2011, people came from all over the world to total over 30,000 in attendance. In honor of 9/11’s ten year anniversary the run was established in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The GEO Group Foundation ran in the event and helped further the cause of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. 12 | GEOworld
The GEO Group Foundation believes supporting the Stephen Siller Foundation is a real and concrete way to Follow the Footsteps of an American hero. The Stephen Siller Foundation has established “LET US DO GOOD PROGRAMS” as a way to make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of others. These programs, titled “In the Line of Duty” and “In the Name of Love”, bring hope to grieving children, and healing to firefighters and families of our military who sacrifice life and limb in the line of duty. “In the Line of Duty” programs pay tribute to the 343 FDNY fallen brothers who sacrificed their lives on 9/11 through the memorial Tunnel To Towers Run, which supports the WeillCornell Burn Center and Burn Centers across America, and restores shattered lives by building homes for surviving quadriplegic servicemen returning from combat. “In the Name of Love” programs bring love and hope to the most broken and vulnerable children. The Stephen Siller Foundation does this through scholarship awards for local children who have lost a parent; through the establishment and continued support of Stephen’s House of the New York Foundling for orphaned, abused and neglected children; and through scholarships to children of the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the Afghan and Iraqi wars. We should never forget the fallen soldiers of the 9/11. The GEO Group Foundation looks forward to continuing its support of the Stephen Siller Foundation far into the future. Pictured: runners from the Tunnel to Towers 5K.
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Children’s Harbor Abraham Cohen, Corporate n October 6, 2011, The GEO Group Foundation presented a check of $15,000 to the Children’s Harbor. The Children’s Harbor is a child welfare organization founded in 1996 in cooperation with the City of Pembroke Pines in Florida. Children’s Harbor provides residential services for foster children in a familystyle setting, and community based services for the prevention and intervention of abuse and neglect. Children’s Harbor’s Family Strengthening Program provides in-home therapy and case management to families assessed for abuse and neglect. Their Residential Program includes four Sibling Group Foster Homes and a Foster Teen Maternity Residence. The goal of the sibling homes is to allow brothers and sisters to remain together; the Foster Maternity Home is the only home of this type in Broward County and provides a loving home to pregnant or parenting
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L-R: Greg Purdy, Celebrity Cruises; Barbara Bergevin, BankAtlantic; Stephen V. Fuller, The GEO Group, Inc.; Sue Glasscock, Children’s Harbor; Hein Onkenhout, Brushwood Partners, LLC; Bob Kneeley, MEDNAX
foster teens and their babies. The Children’s Harbor staff is comprised of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Annually, these professionals treat 60-70 children through their Residential Program and approximately 800 family members through their Family Intervention Program. The unique holistic approach developed and practiced by their professionals continues to succeed in addressing the needs of each child. The GEO Group Foundation is very proud to be a partner to a great organization such as, Children’s Harbor.
The GEO Foundation Supports Established Organizations like YMCA Garry A. Ross, Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility he East Lake Family YMCA is located at 275 East Lake Blvd in Atlanta, GA. This organization received a $1,000 donation for community programs and construction projects at the center. Group Vice President/Executive Director RC Pruitt received the donation (pictured right with RADDF’s staff). The YMCA not only supports local communities, but it also builds positive relationships that contribute to the quality of life in the community. The staff at Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility (RADDF) is proud that our company stands in the forefront when it comes to making a difference in our communities by supporting such organizations as the YMCA.
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GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch Abraham Cohen, Corporate he GEO Group Foundation presented a $5,000 check on Wednesday September 21, 2011 to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch. The GEO Group Foundation believes in the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch’s mission and looks forward to a long lasting partnership. The Mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is to prevent delinquency and develop strong, lawful, resilient, and productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to our communities for years to come. The GEO Group has developed programs aimed at lowering the recidivism rate in the State of Florida. Donating to an organization that strives to prevent crime and create guidance for Florida’s youth is another way in which The GEO Group can help make Florida a better place.
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The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches has a four-fold philosophy of care. They believe if a child learns these four critical components they will be a healthy, productive adult. They teach these elements in all of their programs: Work - The Youth Ranches focus on building healthy, workrelated skills and ethics in their boys and girls while helping them become productive, law-abiding members of our communities. Many of the children living at the Youth Ranches have never been taught some of the basic work related values that translate into their eventual ability to earn a living. No matter what our minds can achieve, we must all learn to respect authority as we work for a supervisor, cooperate with a positive attitude, and perform our job with quality. These basic concepts are woven into the work program at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Each child experiences an educational balance of work responsibilities and duties within the daily campus routine. From basic chores around the cottage to a job on campus, each step in the program is geared to prepare a youth for a productive future in the adult world. Study - The children they serve often come to them behind in school. Many of them have a genuine desire to be on grade level in their academics. The Youth Ranch strives to help them not only reach their appropriate grade level but to excel in their studies. Two of their campuses have Learning Centers with small classes and one-to-one attention from the teachers. The boys and girls at the Youth Ranches also have an opportunity to study vocational subjects to help develop employable skills for the future. At home, each cottage has a study hall time, so students can receive additional help with their academic work outside of the school setting. 14 | GEOworld
The Youth Ranches have found when a child improves academically, their self-esteem and confidence improves tremendously. A general education built with positive study habits is an integral part of preventing juvenile delinquency and developing lawful, productive citizens. Play - Playing is an integral part of personal growth. Through play, they build personal relationships and explore their skills and abilities. Play means trusting others and yourself. The children they serve often come to them lacking trust and many feel poorly about themselves. Through play, they make new friends and discover things about themselves they never knew. This discovery helps improve their confidence and selfesteem. Part of the daily routine at the Youth Ranches includes free time when personal activities can be pursued whether it is art, music, sports or spending time with the animals. The Youth Ranch wants their boys and girls to develop positive, healthy ways to use their free time as they discover new interests and hobbies that will last a lifetime. Pray – They use the word “pray” to encompass the overall moral and spiritual component of their teaching philosophy at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. The basic instruction their boys and girls receive helps every child look at their life choices and evaluate each one. They know that life is much more than a set of rules and regulations. As youngsters grow up, they must learn the difference between what is right and wrong. They must be able to logically make choices that will be good for them and their future. Youth also must know the consequences of their choices. Each boy and girl is encouraged to develop a solid spiritual life through prayer, chapel attendance and personal devotion time. This foundation will aid each youth as they make decisions that will impact not only themselves but their communities and future families. Picutred: L-R Erik Fahnoe, FSYR Board Member, Roger Bouchard, FSYR President, Stephen Fuller, GEO Human Resources SVP and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff of Palm Beach County.
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The American Heart Association Abraham Cohen, Corporate n October 1, 2011, GEO Employees participated in the 2011 American Heart Association, Heart Walk. The GEO Group Foundation was a proud sponsor of the 2011 Heart Walk and donated $3,000.
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The GEO Group was recognized as a 2010 PLATINUM Fit Friendly Company, which is the highest level of achievement for a company’s involvement in employee cardiovascular health.
The Goal of the Heart Walk is to improve the heart health of Americans while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent by 2020. The American Heart Association seeks to prevent heart disease and stroke, most notably by helping people identify and adopt healthier lifestyle choices.
In the Greater Southeast Affiliate (comprised of 6 states), there are a total of 183 Fit Friendly Companies. Of these companies, 31 achieved Platinum recognition, 152 received Gold recognition, while 9 of those companies were also honored as Worksite Innovation Award winners and 4 as Community Innovation Award winners.
The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. These diseases, the Nation’s No.1 and No.3 killers, claim more than 865,000 American lives a year. Without all of the walkers, donors and volunteers who have accepted the challenge to help fight heart disease and stroke the American Heart Association cannot achieve its goals.
The GEO Group is amongst 26 other Palm Beach County, Florida companies that have become Fit Friendly recognized for all of the great things they do for their employees and their health.
Adult Americans spend a majority of their waking hours at work, and many are in sedentary careers. With obesity costing American businesses $12.7 billion per year in medical expenses and $225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses, any program that increases physical activity of employees can create healthier lifestyles while improving the bottom line.
The GEO Group Foundation is grateful that there are organizations such as the American Heart Association that care about the well-being of working Americans. We look forward to furthering our partnership to promote the health of GEO employees along with the millions of other employees in the United States. Pictured: Stephen Fuller, Casey McElhinney , Pablo Paez.
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Back Pack Attack in Plainfield, Indiana Jennifer French, Short Term Offender Program Facility
he Short Term Offender Program, (STOP) Plainfield, is pleased to have collaborated with the United Way of Central Indiana on “Backpack Attack 2011” for Hendricks County.
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Staff and volunteers of United Way, picked up the items for distribution to area schools on August 4. Altogether, over 20 offenders at the facility were involved in the project, donating approximately 50 man hours.
United Way operated several donation sites throughout Hendricks County for collection of new school supplies and backpacks for elementary students in the county. Over 7,000 items were collected and brought to the STOP facility, where they were sorted, counted and divided evenly among the county’s 22 elementary schools.
The STOP, Plainfield is proud to be involved with such a worthwhile cause and looks forward to more community service opportunities in the Hendricks County and Plainfield area.
1st Annual TXSO Bowling Tournament Nadia E. Ortiz, Rio Grande Detention Center arly this year, Warden George “Butch” Head challenged the staff to come up with ideas to raise funds for the Texas Special Olympics (TXSO). One of the ideas shared was to host a charity bowling tournament. The facility contacted the local bowling alley to request a reservation date for the tournament. The bowling alley indicated most charity bowling tournaments only used about half the bowling alleys. But the facility’s goal was to fill all 40 lanes. Once the date was set, an invitation flyer was sent to all local law enforcement agencies and posted at the facility. Security shifts and facility departments quickly began assembling teams and challenging each other to a friendly game of bowling. A.W. Brigett Bowers followed up the flyer with phone calls to several law enforcement agencies and invited them to bowl for a great cause.
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On the big day, the law enforcement community came out to bowl. Several local law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Marshalls, CBP, ICE, Sheriff’s Dept., Laredo PD and other correctional facilities entered several teams. Local figures Major Raul Salinas and Sheriff Martin Cuellar also showed their support by attending the tournament. Last but not least, the Rio Grande Detention Center (RGDC) staff turned out in full force with matching team shirts and full of team spirit. Due to everyone’s commitment to making the 1st Special Olympic 16 | GEOworld
Bowling tournament successful. RGDC met the goal and filled every lane that night. Everyone had a good time and looks forward to the next tournament. The facility had an initial fund raising goal of $15,000 and exceeded that goal with all their hard work by raising $20,000 in total. Warden Head stated, “We are ready for the next challenge, and plan to make it even better!” Warden George Head, Mayor Raul Salinas, and Sheriff Martin Cuellar
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
GEO Cares Sheryl Augstums & Warden John Gay, Central Arizona Correctional Facility n April, several CACF employees took part in the American Cancer Society 2011 Relay for Life. It was held at Florence High School with 62 teams & over 700 participants. Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, and our staff was excited to help make a difference in this important fight.
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Due to the continued support that CACF has shown the Florence Unified School District, and the donations provided through inmate fund raisers, the High School purchased a banner with the GEO logo and placed it on the left field fence of the baseball field. (pictured right) This serves to let the public and parents know of the valuable contributions and efforts put forth by the CACF staff in support of the community. The Florence Baptist Church is the home of the Florence Food Bank. They service a large portion of Pinal County, and it is a common site to see vehicles and people lined up along Willow Street every week waiting to receive food donations.
As a result of a recent fundraising event, CACF was able to present Pastor Dale Storm with a donation check of just over $1,500. Due to limited space at the church, and the cost of air conditioning, the only part of the building that is climate controlled is the Chapel, where due to the hot Arizona summers, they are forced to store the perishables even during Sunday Services. The day Warden John Gay visited to make the donation, the aroma of fresh sweet onions and bell peppers filled the air. CACF is planning a facility food drive in November to help provide Thanksgiving meals for those who benefit from the Food Bank. Pictured Above: Warden John Gay & Pastor Dale Storm)
An Expression of Love Valisa Roby, Marshall County Correctional Facility n Saturday, August 13, 2011, staff from Marshall Country Correctional Facility (MCCF) along with members from Landmark Temple Church in Holly Springs, MS, hosted a benefit program for Sgt. John Smith or “Big John” as he was known around the facility. Sgt. Smith, a Transportation Manager, recently retired from MCCF after 15 years of service, due to health issues.
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As an expression of our love, many staff from MCCF got together with the members of Landmark Temple Church and sponsored a service of blessing for Sgt. Smith during his time of illness. Warden Willie Williams gave a power point presentation which captured special moments of Sgt. Smith’s tenure. To raise money for a raffle, tickets were sold for a chance to win a 19” flat screen TV. Mrs. Earlean Howell, a staff member at MCCF, was the recipient of the prize. The program was a success and the beneficiary was most grateful. In his closing remarks he stated, “I’ll be back.” (in his Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) John Smith “Big John”
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We Care!! Amanda Munoz, ASP-GEO-Florence West
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ith our monthly fundraisers and the help from The GEO Group Foundation, staff, and the inmates at Arizona State PrisonFlorence West (ASP-Florence West), we have been able to donate to two charities in the Pinal County area. Since 2006, ASP-Florence West has been able to donate over $30,000 to Against Abuse, Inc. by having food fundraisers. Against Abuse, Inc. has provided social and behavioral health services in Pinal County, Arizona since 1981. Against Abuse, Inc. is a private non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and the community understand the nature and effects of family violence as well as the resources available to meet the needs of those abused. In addition, the agency has taken a proactive role in providing a family focused, culturally sensitive continuum of prevention and intervention services to individuals and families in need of services. Starting in July 2012, ASP-Florence West has been able to donate $998 to Project Bridge. This is a family assistance program for kids who live in the Florence Unified School
district. They provide non-perishable foods, clothing, shoes, school supplies, personal care items, household cleaning supplies, and Christmas help. Project Bridge’s goals are to help promote families to become self sufficient, to provide community resources and forge a true partnership between communities and Florence Unified School District families. We will continue our monthly fundraisers to help those in need and to show them WE CARE!!!! Pictured: ASP-Florence West staff.
Young Scholars, Scholarships, & The GEO Foundation, Inc. Garry A. Ross, Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility ince the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility first opened its doors in 2007, The GEO Group Foundation Inc. has provided the Clayton County Board of Commissioners in Jonesboro, Georgia, with a $10,000 annual scholarship donation. The Board, in turn, awards five $2,000 scholarships to college bound students in need of financial assistance.
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In addition, The GEO Group Foundation, Inc. also awards a $1,000 annual scholarship to the Shiloh Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia. By providing targeted help to deserving young individuals, The GEO Foundation builds good will in the community and helps lay the foundation for the success of the young men and women it assists. These are the same young men and women to whom we look to secure the future of this great nation – and The GEO Group Foundation can rightfully be proud in knowing it is playing an integral part in their success. 18 | GEOworld
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Helping Students to be Prepared Berna Velasquez, Guadalupe County Correctional Facility he staff of Guadalupe County Correctional Facility helped Santa Rosa students get ready for the school year by donating school supplies. Staff members donated paper, pencils, crayons, glue and other school supplies. The supplies were delivered to Santa Rosa Elementary School in time to meet the needs of any student without all the necessary ingredients for a successful school year.
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Berna Velasquez, Executive Secretary, Melanie Martinez, Bookkeeper and Brittany Lucero with school supplies donated to Santa Rosa Elementary Students.
Commitment to Community Amy Gillus, Rivers Correctional Institution laudia Rowe, daughter of Program Secretary Stargel Jernigan, is an eighth grade student from Hertford County Middle School. She was granted the privilege to sharpen her interview skills by meeting with Rivers Correctional Institution’s (RCI) Warden Miner about her responsibility as President of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at her school. FBLA is a non-profit organization that helps secondary school students develop vocational and career supportive competencies for business and office occupations as well as promote civic and personal responsibility.
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During the interview, Claudia requested a monetary donation to support students participating in the FBLA Regional Competition held in Washington, NC. When the competition was complete, Hertford County Middle school walked away with 1st place in Public Speaking, 1st place in Business Math and 2nd place in reciting the FBLA Creed. An induction ceremony followed and members of the community were invited to give words of encouragement as well as donations. Amy Gillus, a former FBLA member, presented a check in the amount of $450 on RCI’s behalf.
Claudia Rowe - Middle School student meets with Warden Miner!
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Eifel Tower created for prom.
LCCF Gives Back Pia Zamora & Carolyn Heavington, Lea County Correctional Facility ometimes the biggest hearts come from the smallest communities, and Lea County Correctional Facility (LCCF) in the little town of Hobbs, New Mexico has a huge heart. Senior Warden, James Janecka recalls, “When I came to Lea County in May of 2004 and began interacting with community leaders and citizens, I found they were unaware of the positives a correctional facility could bring to a community. In August of 2004, Eddie Soloman, who had a son playing varsity football for the eagles, took me to the high school and introduced me to the head coach, Phillip Roybal. During our conversation, I asked the coach if he could come up with a few sheets of plywood, so I could make yard signs for the players. He supplied some sheets and the inmates at LCCF designed the signs. The signs were passed out at ‘Meet the Eagles Night.’ It was such a hit, we began getting calls from all the sports teams. This is how LCCF’s Community Service Program evolved.”
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LCCF is proud to be one of the leading contributors in giving back to the community. Eddie Soloman, who retired August 2011, the maintenance department, and the Level II crew, which consists of 10 inmates, were able to complete several projects: yard signs for every sport (pictured), a repaired batting cage, prom props (pictured), scenery for school plays, banners and signs for First Baptist Church, a face lift for Faith In Action, and the Hobbs humane Society received funds for the upkeep and care of their animals. Since the beginning of 2011, this dedicated group has graciously given 6,644 hours of community labor. Pictured below: Level II crew inmates working on a community project.
Yard signs for sports teams.
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GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Heartfelt Donations Isabel D. Glenn, South Texas Detention Complex he South Texas Detention Complex (STDC) is known for helping. This sense of family and community shows through the many charitable involvements the facility assumes. Employees make no distinction between their STDC family and the families of the local community.
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As this school year was set to begin, many local families, schools and organizations were in dire need of supplies. Several agencies even placed calls to the facility asking for donations. The community needed help and STDC stepped up to meet their needs. Staff went to an event at the public library and passed out supplies for 350 students; that’s over half of the students on the community list. When someone in the STDC family needs help, the staff always comes together. Jasmine Marie Cardenas, daughter of Detention Officer Robert Cardenas, (pictured right) was born with a heart defect. Within six months of her life, she had four open heart surgeries and still had to deal with the possibility of a transplant. After the fourth surgery DO Cardenas family had a heartbreaking moment when they were told their tiny girl did not make it through her final surgery, but thankfully Jasmine’s strength kicked in and her
heart was temporarily fixed. When she would turn nine, she would have to have another open heart surgery. On August 1st, 2011, little Jasmine Marie underwent a five hour surgery to hopefully save her life. Sergeant Adan Vela became aware and sprang into action. He called on the STDC “sisters,” (DO Belinda Sanchez, Esmeralda Allison and Cynthia Tyler) who are known for their fundraising efforts, along with DO Elisa Benavidez. They initiated fundraisers that ripped through the facility. Officer Lionel Martinez donated a flat screen TV to raffle, others donated baked goods for a bake sale, and each shift collected monetary donations from individuals. When it was all said and done, approximately $2,000 was raised to help a member of the STDC family. “I will never forget how the STDC family came together to help us in our time of need. I believe that it was the prayers from everyone at the facility sent this way that allowed my beautiful girl to come home after just five days in the hospital, and be able to play the drums in Sunday’s church service with the rest of her youth group,” thanked DO Cardenas. Picutred Bottom: Cardenas Family
Arithmetic Sequence Puzzles Fill in some of the blank squares with digits 0-9. Each row and column should contains exactly 3 digits, and these digits should form an increasing arithmetic sequence, a sequence with a common difference. A sample puzzle is shown below. Each puzzle below has a unique solution. All puzzles copyright Erich Friedman, 2010.
2 6 1 5
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Hurricane Irene Volunteers
Lawrenceville Correctional Center Lends a Helping Hand to the Community Edward Wright, Lawrenceville Correctional Center n Saturday, August 27, 2011, Hurricane Irene slammed into the coast of Virginia and became the second largest disaster in Virginia’s history. Brunswick County, home to Lawrenceville Correctional Center (LVCC), was in Hurricane Irene’s storm path. The entire county, including the Lawrenceville Correctional Center were without power for over 4 days.
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Two days after the storm hit, the Brunswick County Emergency Preparedness Board called for volunteers to help prepare meals and provide water and ice for citizens without electricity. In response to this request, over 30 GEO LVCC employees
volunteered to help. Over the course of the next 3 days, GEO employees were part of a team of volunteers who were successful in preparing over 400 meals and providing over 4 tons of ice and 84 pallets of water. On September 7, 2011, The Brunswick County Board of Supervisors invited the volunteer staff of Lawrenceville Correctional Center to a special session in honor of their hard work and compassion in a time of need. Each individual’s generosity towards the community are not only admirable on a personal level but have represented GEO in an honorable way.
Symmetry Puzzles In each of the puzzles below, put shapes in some of the empty squares. Ignoring the blank spaces, the shapes in each row and column should be palindromes. All puzzles copyright Erich Friedman, 2010.
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GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
WRDF Helps In The Fight Against Crime Nicole Allen, Western Region Detention Facility, San Diego
Wester Region Detention Facility Warden and Staff at the Crime Stoppers Luncheon.
his year, the Western Region Detention Facility was pleased to participate in the Annual Crime Stoppers Luncheon held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley, San Diego. In attendance from the facility were Warden Eric Noonan, Chief of Security Al Herrera, Intelligence Officer Christopher Carney and the Training Director Jeffery Wolfe. San Diego County Crime Stoppers has been a beacon of hope since 1984, bringing together community volunteers, law enforcement, and the media with a shared goal— solving crime in San Diego. It gives residents a safe way to anonymously report crime without the fear of retribution.
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Crime Stoppers is a citizen-operated, non-profit organization that works in partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to help solve serious crimes. Citizens are then given monetary rewards if the tips they give lead to an arrest in the case. The San Diego County Crime Stoppers has evolved from a good idea to a strong and formidable presence in San Diego. Crime Stoppers owes its existence and funding to responsible individuals and businesses like The GEO Group Foundation who want to make San Diego safer. To date, more than 4,000 cases have been solved through tips provided by Crime Stoppers, including 105 homicides.
Foundation Support Paula Melton, Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility he GEO Group Foundation and Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility presented a check to the Truelight Young Matrons Ministry. Young Matrons is a ministry designed to meet the spiritual needs of young ladies.
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Warden Brick Tripp (left) and Phyllis Bell-Luckett (right) presented a check to Reverend Weathers. GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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Rabbit Ear Run - Big Success Rebecca Hatch, Northeast New Mexico Detention Facility he Rabbit Ear Run, hosted by Northeast New Mexico Detention Facility (NENMDF) was a success for the third year. Friday, August 26, 2011 kicked off the events with a rodeo coordinated by Wiseman Rodeo Co. Friday night the crowd was biting their fingernails as they watched participants compete in mutton bustin calf scramble for the little ones, while the adults rode bulls and broncos, raced the barrels, tried to stop the steers and saved each other in the rescue race. Belt buckles were presented to the winners of the events.
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On Saturday, August 27th, the day belonged to the motorcycle enthusiast! The poker run registration began at 7:00 am in front of the Eklund hotel. The Clayton Cheerleaders took pictures of the riders and passengers before departure, as part of their fundraising activities. The run began at 8:00 am with an escort out of town by Clayton Police Department. Participants completed a run that included stops in Texline, Felt, Boise City, Etling Lake and a final stop at Kenton Museum. There were 61 riders who registered. A change this year was each stop had a game of skill to complete, or the option to draw a card from a bag. Once they returned to the fairgrounds the high hand and low hand were awarded cash prizes. With all the concession offerings, there was no need to leave. The Cheerleaders continued to fundraise by offering a bike/car wash. The day continued for motorcyclists as the bike rodeo began. There were several new games this year and some old favorites were brought back. A new “game pass� was available 24 | GEOworld
Top Picture: Lt. Jeff Lavallee tried his hand at steer wrestling; 2nd Picture: Children enjoy the calf scramble; Last Picture: Motorcycles headed out of town.
this year that allowed the ticket purchaser to participate in the basketball toss, dart competition, paint ball shoot, slalom ride, slow ride and weenie bite contest. The two additional games for non-motorcyclists included the annual frozen t-shirt contest and tire toss competition. Prizes were given to all winners, as well as door prizes throughout the day. The evening began to wind down with a Texas Hold-Em tournament sponsored by Main Street, which lasted well into the wee morning hours. While the poker tournament was being held inside, the lively sounds of Sweetwater could be heard from the dance floor outside. The event was well attended by the community and most importantly raised funds that are directly given to the student body of Clayton High School and surrounding area students for scholarships to continue their education after high school graduation. NENMDF understands the importance of education and is proud to host an event that impresses the importance of such.
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Zedler Mill in Luling, Texas Machelle Gaconnet and Mary Lindsey, Lockhart Work Program Facility he Historic Zedler Mill site represents the best of Texas’ industrial heritage. However, until recently it was in a sad state of repair due to years of neglect. The City of Luling purchased the mill and surrounding property in 2003 and it was added to the list of Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places in 2005. At that point the city began to develop a plan for restoration of this historic complex
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Beginning in the mid 1870s, the Zedler Mill provided hydroelectric power for the City of Luling, Texas. Located on the banks of the San Marcos River, this architectural treasure was built in 1874 and originally included a sawmill, gristmill, and cotton gin. All machinery in the mill was driven by waterpower from Leffel water wheels. Today the Zedler Mill Complex consists of the 1900 Fritz Zedler Home and seven other structures, including the original Mill, on nine acres of City Park land along the San Marcos River. It is hard to imagine life today without electricity and oil to power our lifestyle and industry, but not that long ago the only power available was from water. Water power was used for more than 2,000 years to grind grain, pump water and perform many other functions. Several mills were built along the San Marcos River during the late 1800s. The Zedler Mill is the only remaining example. In 1885, Fritz Zedler and others purchased the site and mill equipment naming it the “Luling Water Power Company.” They added a lumber sawmill and a wooden dam with penstocks that could generate more power. For over three generations, the Zedler family continued to add steam engines, a concrete dam, mule barns, and a blacksmith shop. By the late 1950’s the mill slowly fell into disrepair and sadly gave way to more modern industry. In 2002, the Luling Economic Development Corporation purchased the property for the City of Luling. The non-profit Zedler Mill Foundation was formed in 2007 for the purpose of restoring and developing the mill site. Over the past five years, many man-hours from the Community Work Squad of the Lockhart Secure Work Program Facility and approximately
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one million dollars of public grant funds have been expended in an effort to restore the Mill and other buildings on the site. The property is now a city park and proud historical landmark. The 1900 Fritz Zedler home located across the street from the Mill complex is not included in the city park, but is also part of the restoration project. The Zedler Mill Foundation, Inc. and City of Luling recently recognized the efforts of Lockhart’s Community Work Squad under the supervision of Officer Ronnell Spears. The Foundation praised the quality of the squad’s work in the restoration of the Mill and Zedler home. The Zedler Mill Foundation stated that while they provided the funding for all the material, the labor that was provided by the Lockhart Community Service Squad was by far the greatest contribution to this restoration project. The work continues and ultimately this will be one of the premier visitor attractions in the state for those interested in learning more about the industrial boom of the late 1800s in Texas.
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LCCF Helps to Freeze Out Cancer Pia Zamora, Lea County Correctional Facility here were over 500,000 Cancer related deaths in the United States in 2010. New Mexico had an increase of over 400 deaths from 2009 with 3900. Cancer does not care who you are or where you came from. It does not discriminate against clean living. People who have never smoked or drank a day in their lives are being diagnosed with it. Cancer also does not care about age. Children are just as likely to get it as an adult. Millions of dollars have been raised to fight it, cure it, and to help those who are battling to survive it. Team GEO’s Defenders are proud to be among those who are helping the fight against Cancer for the second year running!
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The first fundraiser for the 2011 event was held only one week after the 2010 event with a hamburger sale. That same dedication was held all through the rest of the year with Frito Pie and bake sales. The theme for this year’s event was seasons. Ideas were discussed, and knowing how hot it would be, it was decided to use Winter. “We want the booth to look cool and inviting” Carolyn Heavington told three inmates in the TC unit who had agreed make the decorations which included a 10x10 foot painting of a winter scene and a banner that can be used for future fundraisers.
Sharon Billington, Food Service, came up the with the slogan “Freeze Out Cancer” which Valerie Naegele, Contract Monitor, and her husband, Kevin Naegele of Naegele and Associates, sponsored to have put on t-shirts for the team members who worked in the booth. When it was all set up, it looked just like winter had struck again, with snowmen and evergreen trees in front and icicles hanging from the top of the booth. The only thing missing was the warm fire and hot chocolate. After a long year of preparations, everything was ready. Team GEO’s Defenders had raised almost $4,000 and it was time for the fun to start. “This was my first time going to Relay For Life” Mary Garcia said. “I did not know it was like this. I saw so many people that I didn’t know had Cancer get out there for the Survivor walk. It was amazing and very emotional for me.” There were no strangers there. Everyone shared the same thing, they were all supporters, caregivers, and Survivors in this struggle. Well, Team GEO’s Defenders raised a grand total of $6,000!!! That was $1,000 more than we had set for our goal! But the best for the team was not the money, it was the fact that they were selected as The Best Booth. “I loved the freeze” co-chair Lindsey Chism said as she announced the winners. So, we not only exceeded the monetary goal, but the physical one as well! GO TEAM GEO!!!!
Scenary for Relay for Life.
Two bbq pits were donated to be raffled for charity.
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A Helping Hand in Hard Times
Mr. Carnegie, Carpentry with the sign.
Esther Dewet, South Bay Correctional Facility t all started when South Bay Correctional Facility (SBCF) was asked for a favor from the Director of Public Works in the City of South Bay. They needed somebody to refresh a city entrance sign that had fallen into disrepair, and possibly build three more. In light of financial hardship, the city did not have the funds at this time to do the revamping needed to beautify the city.
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The challenge landed on the desk of our carpentry teacher, Mr. Carnegie. Needless to say his students could not wait to get their hands on the project. They started planning, gluing, routing and painting the same day and kept at it for the next month. The result is truly stunning; with raised letters, hand painted Florida scenes and enough clear-coat to preserve it from our famous sunshine.
Graffiti Clean-up Day with City of McFarland Dan Meyer, Golden State/ Central Valley MCCF
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artnering is an operative word used to describe the relationship that exists between the Golden State/ Central Valley MCCF facilities, the McFarland Police Department, the City of McFarland Junior High and High School students, and the city of McFarland, California. A Graffiti Clean-up Day idea was put in motion that incorporated these facets of the community and the day became a remarkable success.
On April 16, 2011, Warden Johnny Choate, Food Service Director Percy Robinson, Training Lieutenant Gloria Esparza, and Deputy Warden Eldridge Pressley worked with Police Chief David Oberhoffer, and McFarland Lion’s club member Dave Borkey (all pictured) cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for over 100 hungry junior high and high school volunteers who helped remove the graffiti.
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“World AIDS Day 2011” Kathy Williams, New Castle Correctional Facility
Inmates walking for a real cause.
he New Castle Correctional Facility (NCCF) is honoring World AIDS Day, which is officially on December 1st of this year, with two preliminary events. The first is an AIDS Walk and the second is the production of an AIDS Memory Quilt.
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With the production of the AIDS Memory Quilt, offenders from the P.L.U.S. Program and the Chapel teamed up to create it. In early July, colorful 4” x 4” squares of material became available at various events. Squares were made available at staff recall and during custody shift change. Volunteers were given opportunity to sign a square as they arrived for various functions. Flyers and sign-up sheets were posted in every housing unit for the offenders to request a square. P.L.U.S. volunteers were posted at every religious service to make squares available. In the end, there will be over 200 signed blocks making a quilt of several yards long and wide. In the center of the quilt will be one large block with a red AIDS ribbon and plenty of border space for all those who are participating in the AIDS Walk to add their signature. The P.L.U.S. sewing crew will also have a set of signature blocks on the edge of the quilt. Once the quilt is assembled, NCCF staff will be present at the Indianapolis World AIDS Day Memorial Service on December 1, 2011 to hand the quilt over to the Indianapolis Coordinators. On August 27, 2011, the Chapel and the recreation department partnered to sponsor our first AIDS Walk. At 8:00 am, dozens of offenders, supported by volunteers from The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, Americorp, the Indianapolis City Supervisor, and Step-Up, Inc., began their journey of lap after lap around the outdoor track. “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank “If you judge people you have no time to love them.” Mother Teresa Those quotes offer a summary of why men who are incarcerated sign up to participate in a fundraising walk. For these men, there is no t-shirt or hat to give them as proof of participation. There is no line of applauding onlookers to cheer them on to the finish line. Their walk takes place on a track surrounded by two levels of fencing which stands as a reminder that they are 28 | GEOworld
on the inside looking out. Make no mistake, rewards and cheers was not excluded from their AIDS Walk. It came as they told one another, “Come on, man, you can do it!” It came when they slapped high fives with the handful of volunteers who were present. Perhaps better than most of us can understand, the men who walked that morning felt the healing value of generosity in their steps. Statistically, those incarcerated are five times more likely to be HIV infected than the general population. NCCF and StepUp, Inc. have partnered for a mass education campaign in the facility that included posters in every housing unit, contact information, informational material, and classes to provide HIV/ AIDS and STD education. In early 2010, the facility initiated a pilot program called T.L.C. (Trusting, Listening, Caring) which served as a weekly support/educational group for those who have a family member with HIV/AIDS or other life challenging illnesses. The purpose in hosting the inside walk in August was so NCCF representatives could present a check to the Indy AIDS Walk on Saturday, October 8, 2011. After the 8:00 am inside walk, the volunteers and staff moved out to the Level 1 annex for a second walk which began at 11:00 am. One-third of the residents of the Level 1 annex signed up to participate. Each participating offender has done so not only with his feet but with his money. Donations ranged from one dollar to fifty dollars. Some of the men have lost family or friends to AIDS, and they walked in memory of that person. Some of them are HIV positive or are living with AIDS, and they walked in determination for their own battle. Some of them walked as a statement against the ignorance of discrimination and stereotypes regarding those who have HIV/AIDS. Some of them walked simply because it is the right thing to do. Whatever the reason behind their walk, each one is a reflection of Christopher Reeves words, “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” The weather forecast for the day was low 80’s, partly cloudy with a thirty percent chance of rain. No matter how Mother Nature performed on that day, there were 165 men walking with a 100 percent chance of bright and shining hope. It is the hope of our facility that the two World AIDS Day projects were infectious and will spread to other Indiana Department of Correction facilities for the year 2012 and beyond.
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Place of Hope Kalia Joseph, Corporate
A staff member from The GEO Group Foundation presented a check to Place of Hope’s Sarah Livoti.
75% of children and youth in foster care are behind grade level. 46% of former foster youth complete high school (compared to 84% of the general population.)
he GEO Group Foundation has made a significant difference in the lives of children by graciously giving a donation to Place of Hope. This organization receives children from the Department of Child and Family Services (DCF) and fosters them until they are returned to their home, adopted, or “Age Out” of the system. Many children that go to other foster homes are split from their siblings and risk never seeing them again.
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These innocent children had to be taken from their unfit homes. Most did not know what joy, happiness or love was. Some were abused, neglected, and abandoned with all hope stripped from them. Thankfully, Place of Hope is different, because they keep sibling groups together. They become the community and the family life some children have never had! This year, Place of Hope has kept 15 sibling groups together, placed 23 children into adoptive families, and
placed hope in every child’s life that came through their gate. As you pull up to Place of Hope’s gate, it looks like any other residential community. If you drive through the neighborhood with your windows rolled down, you will smell the aroma of BBQ ribs on the grill. You can hear children’s joy in their laughter as they chase each other in the yard. You see families together, children out riding their bikes, brothers and sisters playing tag with excitement in their eyes. You would never guess the parents here weren’t biological parents; they are cottage parents. You could not even fathom these were the same lost children that first entered the gates. This is more than foster care; this is family-style residential care! The GEO Group Foundation is hoping to team up with Place of Hope in the future to impact more lives!
Nationally, each year an estimated 20,000 youth emancipate or “Age Out” of the foster care system, and are discharged from the system, whether or not they are prepared to transition to adulthood. Children from the different Place of Hope cottage families teamed up Cottage mom shows enthusiasm to play a friendly game of flag football. for her foster son’s great catch.
Grape Puzzles Put a positive number in each grape. Each number in the top row of grapes is a single digit. Each number not the top row is the sum of the numbers in the two grapes just above it. If two grapes contain the same number, they are colored the same color. All puzzles copyright Erich Friedman, 2010.
GEO FOUNDATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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Fulham is Employer of the Year Maria Buckley, Fulham Correctional Centre he Fulham Correctional Centre (Fulham) has been selected as Victoria’s most outstanding employer. Fulham won the extremely prestigious Skills Victoria award for designing, developing and delivering a range of world-class training and support courses for its 312 custodial and non-custodial staff.
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The announcement was made at the 2011 Victorian Training Awards Dinner and Fulham’s general manager, Troy Ittensohn (pictured with Alicia Gleeson) accepted the trophy. Mr. Ittensohn said delivering in-house training in a correctional environment is always challenging, but Fulham achieved remarkable results using a comprehensive and innovative range of delivery methods and environments. “We linked traditional classroom and on the job training with mentoring and shadowing as well as on site practical training. Staff attended Corrections Victoria training offsite as well as TAFE and other personal development courses,” he said. There were also simulated emergency exercises involving police, ambulance and country fire authority. As a Correctional 30 | GEOworld
Centre that operates 24/7, to achieve a 98 percent participation rate was a remarkable achievement. Mr. Ittensohn said, “The success and acceptance of the training was due to the high level of communication and support from senior managers, the cascading emphasis about the training and the managing of rosters to allow all staff to participate. Most importantly was the enthusiasm of the staff to be involved.” The training was also accessible to Fulham’s 60 casual and 90 professional staff. Correctional officers are recruited from a variety of backgrounds and rarely have custodial experience. The training designed at Fulham has proved extremely successful in developing the behaviours and attitudes required in working with offenders. In congratulating Fulham and the dedication of its training staff, The GEO Group’s executive general manager of operations, Dom Karauria, said, “The centre’s emphasis on training complements GEO’s ‘Build Better Lives’ philosophy, which sets out how the company will achieve its vision to build better lives and be the employer of choice for its staff.”
CORRECTIONS & DETENTION - INTERNATIONAL
Arthur Gorrie prisoners performing Indigenous Dance
Indigenous Prisoners Celebrate their Culture Tammi Levine, Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre Across Australia, National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) celebrates the richness of indigenous culture, history, and heritage. The annual celebration traces back to the 1950s and under the guidance of the NAIDOC, its popularity and support have spread across the nation.
Cunamulla Elders opened the ceremony with traditional prayer and the challenge for prisoners to achieve change within themselves in order to avoid future criminal activity. Painted dancers in traditional dress and even a prisoner playing the didgeridoo highlighted a string of colorful events.
This years the theme was, Change: The Next Step Is Ours, and again Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre embraced the festivities. The Centre invited guests working in the corrections field to a ceremony showcased by prisoners of the Aborigine and Torres Strait Islander culture. The highly respected
Each visitor to Arthur Gorrie was given a boomerang and leather wristband - each made and hand painted by prisoners in the Multicultural Centre. Pictured right: Indigenous Artwork donated to Community Corrections
Multi-Balance Puzzles Put the digits 1-n, each used exactly once, into the grid so that: 1) no row or column contains exactly one digit, 2) every row or column that contains 2 or more digits contains exactly one fulcrum, 3) each fulcrum is used horizontally or vertically, but not both, and 4) each fulcrum is located where those weights would balance, with equal torques on both sides. Digits 1-8 All puzzles copyright Erich Friedman, 2010. CORRECTIONS & DETENTION - INTERNATIONAL
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Environmental Success Continues Tammi Levine, Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre
The environmentally aware Arthur Gorrie Green Team (from left) Scott Hamlett, Lisa Boase, Shirley Sheppard and Greg Howden
rthur Gorrie Correctional Centre (AGCC) has developed a remarkable partnership with the renowned Australia Zoo, established by legendary “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin and his wife Terry. This is just one environmental initiative undertaken by AGCC.
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Most recently, the continued efforts of AGCC and its staff were recognized when it won the Green Category in the prestigious Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Community Safety. The
centre’s submission “Building a Better Planet” focused on its ongoing commitment to environmental and conservation strategies to protect Australia’s wildlife. This commitment was also linked to carbon neutral developments within the centre. The Honorable Neil Roberts, Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services, presented the award and praised AGCC staff for their dedication.
Junee High School Breakfast Program Simone Eldridge, Junee Correctional Centre or a town where the summer temperature can sit above 40 degrees centigrade (104 degrees fahrenheit) for days if not weeks, Junee feels the cold! Located in southern New South Wales, this charming regional town, which hosts the Junee Correctional Centre (JCC), endures some freezing winter mornings when the temperature struggles to get above
F Junee High School Acting Principal Matthew Brown (centre) accepts a donation of $3,000 from Andy Walker (left) and Sidd Mehta.
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CORRECTIONS & DETENTION - INTERNATIONAL
Barbecue Trailer a Community Asset Simone Eldridge, Junee Correctional Centre Junee Fire Station received a barbecue trailer made by inmates at Junee Correctional Centre. Attending the presentation are (from left) Retired Deputy Captain Peter Smith, Sidd Mehta from GEO and Captain Rob Duncan.
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esidents of Junee and the surrounding district are fired up about the inmates of Junee Correctional Centre’s support for their local fire brigade. Staff and volunteers at the Junee Fire Brigade regularly borrowed the centre’s barbeque trailer to support local events and to assist their fire fighting teams. As a result Junee inmates enrolled in metal fabricating courses and spent six weeks building a barbeque trailer specifically for the local “fireys.” The trailer, which boasts a built-in six burner barbeque, can be quickly fitted to a vehicle and is easy to tow.
Brigade captain, Rob Duncan, said that having their own trailer would strengthen the effectiveness of the fire fighters. The GEO Group has provided a number of trailers throughout southern NSW and is committed to several more in coming months. Finance manager Sidd Mehta said that inmates take pride in their work when they know it is assisting a worthwhile cause. “The skills they learn while making the trailers also assist inmates with future employment opportunities,” he said.
freezing. For teenagers heading to school, a hearty breakfast is often ignored in favour of an extra 30 minutes under the blankets. As a result the local Junee High School offers a free breakfast program on two mornings each week. The cooking and cleanup is normally a task for teachers and staff, but the GEO team from the JCC recently donned their aprons. They armed themselves with eggs, bacon, sausage, oranges and grabbed juice extractors along with frying pans. The result was an “as much as you can eat” breakfast for students as well as teachers and staff, who enjoyed a morning off duty to mingle informally with the youngsters. JCC enjoys a very close relationship with the school and recently donated $3,000 to ensure all students were dressed warmly for winter and also to subsidise school excursions. For general manager Andy Walker, the support of the school is an ongoing commitment. “This is not a one-off donation. We are discussing other opportunities to assist the school. 30 percent of our staff are locals and many of them attended the school or have children studying there. It is a vital part of the fabric of our community,” he said. Acting principal, Matthew Brown, said he was overwhelmed with the generosity of The GEO Group. “I have been working in education for 30 years and have not seen a business as supportive of a school as GEO,” he said.
Service with a Smile – Haley Robertson helps student Joshua Bollingmore to a bacon sandwich while Sidd Mehta keeps a close eye on food stocks.
Frying up a feast – Stuart Finch (left), Sidd Mehta and John Philpott from GEO cook up a storm for the students.
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Creating a Safer Working Environment Barbara Kurts and Bob Schiel, Columbia Regaionl Care Center
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orkers compensation claimed $268,469 in 2010, which created a major challenge for the new facility administrator, Steve Adwell. Most of the workers compensation incidents were from patient and staff confrontations/interactions, so Mr. Adwell immediately started promoting an increased awareness of safety in the workplace by telling the employees to BE SAFE. This simple phrase caught on immediately with employees and is now posted throughout the facility. Mr. Adwell led an injury reduction team that developed a multi-disciplined approach to create a safety-conscious work atmosphere at Columbia Regional Care Center (CRCC). Reduction in costs is important, but a key element is reducing staff trauma and victimization. Before the work day starts, a 30 minute meeting is held with our treatment team to discuss mental health patient issues/ behaviors from the previous day and proactive preventions
that may be used. From this, a behavior management program for patients was implemented. Many supervised activities are scheduled throughout the day and week for patients to learn acceptable behaviors and educate themselves. Data from these programs is tracked, collected and analyzed by Bob Schiel, Risk Manager. This helps pin point where the most incidents occur, the most frequent time frame, and the patients most likely to be involved. Every Friday, our mental health department provides a list of patients most likely to have behavioral problems. Because of these implementations, our workers compensation costs have dramatically declined to $26,802 for lost time and medical costs in 2011 (through September). Pictured: Steve Adwell, Facility Administrator and Bob Schiel, Risk Manager.
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GEO Foundation & FCCC Help Renovate Local Emergency Room! Cathee Ford, Florida Civil Commitment Center n 2009, Florida Civil Commitment Center’s (FCCC) Facility Administrator, Tim Budz, and DeSoto Memorial Hospital (DMH) CEO, Vince Sica, participated in the Inaugural Class of Leadership DeSoto. Sica is a long time resident and active community member in Arcadia, Florida. Budz is new to Arcadia, having spent most of his career in Chicago. Although FCCC had been sending its residents to DMH for years to obtain medical care, Budz and Sica’s participation in this ten month class for community leaders was the beginning of a new partnership.
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DMH is a 49-bed, non-profit community hospital serving DeSoto County, Florida and surrounding areas. All emergency cases from FCCC are transported to the DMH emergency room. “Providing emergency care of the highest quality in the shortest possible time is our goal,” reflected Sica. “One of our unmet needs was to provide emergency room triage areas with doors to offer patients greater privacy.” Sica pursued The GEO Group Foundation and FCCC to assist with the addition of privacy doors to the rooms rather than curtains, as used in most hospitals. “This was a great opportunity for The GEO Foundation and FCCC to support a
local non-profit organization our residents depend on regularly,” Budz commented. “Having the GEO name on the door in the emergency room emphasizes to our residents and other patients that GEO is a strong community partner whose impact reaches beyond the fences of our facility.” The DeSoto Memorial Hospital Foundation is designed to help ensure the hospital has the resources to continue serving the community with the latest medical technology and services available. It provides funds for capital equipment, and building renovation/expansions in the hospital. “We are grateful for GEO’s support to further our mission,” acknowledged Sica. DMH has spent over $22 million since 2006 on the latest medical technology to enhance and expand the services offered to the community. Through The GEO Group Foundation’s donation, FCCC residents are the beneficiaries of the new technology and services provided at the local hospital. DeSoto Memorial Hospital Donation – FCCC Executive Management (from left) Ron Lawrenz, George Emanoilidis and Tim Budz present a check to DeSoto Memorial Hospital CEO Vince Sica, CFO Dan Hogan and Bev Winton, VP (right) for the renovation of the hospital’s emergency room.
GEO CARE