FRONTLINE NEWS  
May 2019
National Correctional Officers and Employees Week
DOC kicked off National Correctional Officers and Employees Week at the 28th Annual Wreath Laying and Honor Guard Competition. Representatives from the American Correctional Association (ACA) along with local and national corrections agencies honored fallen officers and employees at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in downtown Washington, DC.

After the ceremony, our Honor Guard Unit delivered a show stopping presentation that merged old and new team members, catching guests by surprise. Kudos to their sharp performance!
A Red Carpet Affair - Years of Service Celebration
For the third consecutive year, DOC hosted A Red Carpet Affair - Years of Service Celebration . The packed event took place during National Correctional Officers and Employees Week at the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) Gymnasium.
The ceremony was led by DOC's Public Information Officer, Dr. Keena Blackmon and the keynote speaker was none other than Sharon Hargrove, Training Specialist. Mrs. Hargrove has been a true source of encouragement and inspiration to those that cross her path. Director Quincy L. Booth, Warden Lennard K. Johnson and executive leadership presented awards in the following categories: Unit of the Year, Rising Star, Exceptional Customer Service, Outstanding Leader, Safety Champion/Hero, and Employee of the Year. Employees with employment years ranging from 0 to 40 were also recognized.

Congratulations to all the honorees!
Vitality Expo - Pathways to Wellness
The Third Annual Vitality Expo – Pathways to Wellness was a huge success! The event offered blood pressure screenings, Reiki, chiropractic assessments, Zumba, self-defense and rubber band demonstrations, as well as healthy cuisine. Vendors from educational, financial, and health care companies provided resources to attendees in addition to specialized meditation and mindfulness services.

Special acknowledgements to DOC's Health and Wellness Committee for organizing this great event and our event partners: the Advantage Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, Cigna, DCHR, ICMA-RC, Inova, Kaiser, Kephra Raw Food/Juice Bar, Dino Calabrese-Intuitive Counselor and Medium, Lisa Karasek, Eating Psychology Coach, Terrie Christine, Intuitive Life Coach, Juice Plus-Nutritional Supplements, the Reiki Center of Greater Washington, Strayer University, University of Maryland University College, and United Healthcare.
Welcome to DOC
This month, Sarah Brooks joined Team DOC as a Mental Health Specialist on the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) team. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has provided trauma-specialized psychotherapy and case management services within the community mental health field for almost a decade. In her new role, Ms. Brooks will be providing clinical (trauma focused) services to all women’s units and the YME Unit as well as additional special populations.

Ms. Brooks has extensive experience in community mental health, serving clients who have experienced such things as intimate partner violence, childhood abuse, community violence, severe mental illness, chronic resource deprivation, and institutional abuse. Ms. Brooks also worked at Jordan House (SOME), Community Connections, the House of Ruth’s Domestic Violence Support Center to name a few. She volunteered as a survivor advocate and hotline counselor for the DC Rape Crisis Center.

Ms. Brooks graduated from The College of William and Mary in 2009 with a B.S. in Psychology and a second major in History. She received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The George Washington University.

Let's extend a warm DOC welcome to Ms. Brooks!
Policies & Procedures
Policy binders with the agency’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) were placed in the Officers' Dining Rooms (ODR) at the Central Detention Facility, Correctional Treatment Facility, Central Cell Block and the Training Academy.

Once existing and new policies are approved by the Director, the OPP will update the binders monthly. All binders must remain in their respective places.

The following policies have been updated and approved:


PP 3350.2 – PREA

PP 5500.2 – Restrictive Housing

PM 5300.1 – Inmate Disciplinary and Administrative Housing Hearings

PP 3810.1 – ADA Accommodating Employees with Disabilities



June Events and Commemorations
Join Mayor Bowser this Saturday to celebrate the first home opener of the Washington Mystics at the Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA) at a community block party prior to the game. The free block party outside of the ESA will have entertainment, arts, food, music, clinics, and more.

Special wishes to all the fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, uncles, and father figures that serve the DC DOC! Your presence and roles inside our agency and communities are greatly appreciated. Enjoy your special day!