A Unit Supervisor answers questions about inmate interactions on the housing unit
New Lisbon, WI – New Lisbon Correctional Institution (NLCI) provided facility tours and training, as well as an overview of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to approximately 70 members of the U.S. Army Reserve 400th Military Police Battalion March 25-28. The training at NLCI occurred during the battalion’s three weeks of annual training at Fort McCoy and focused on preparation for future military deployments to correctional assignments in the Middle East and Guantanamo Bay. “This was a great opportunity for us to partner with the military and provide them exposure to an actual correctional setting,” said NLCI Warden Timothy Douma. “We were able to share some of our tactics and principals that contribute to our overall success. Staff from all areas of the institution contributed to making this a good and valuable experience for the participants.” NLCI security staff facilitated classroom training prior to each tour. Corrections Captain Jason Achterberg, Lieutenant Eric Peters and Officer William Binnebose led discussions, which focused on proper inmate control techniques, inmate movement, inmate count procedures, inmate worker roles, educational and treatment programs provided, and general operations. A question and answer session concluded each tour, and administrative staff answered program-specific questions. Binnebose, who also serves as a Staff Sergeant in the Wis. Army National Guard, shared from his personal experience of having served one of his two tours of duty in a theater interment facility in Iraq. “We received positive feedback from the Soldiers and Command Staff that participated,” said Douma. “They expressed that the visits provided a beneficial perspective for personnel to utilize during deployments.” DOC Secretary Edward Wall, Warden Douma, Columbia Correctional Institution Warden Mike Dittmann, and other security and administrative staff met with the military leadership to discuss the management of a correctional facility. “This week’s efforts are just one mechanism by which the DOC has partnered with the U.S. military to accomplish an objective by working cooperatively,” said Wall. “The Department of Corrections is proud to have a great number of staff who have served in the U.S. military or continue to serve in a National Guard or Reserve capacity. We are grateful for the personal sacrifices made by all military men and women, so we can enjoy our basic freedoms.”
Contributed by Lynn Washetas, Corrections Program Supervisor
DOC Administration and Security staff present an overview of DOC operations to the Army Reserve 400th Military Police Battalion.