ORCU Meeting Discusses Sadness and Grief

Prompted by several staff members at the Ouachita River Correctional Unit (ORCU) having lost loved ones, the March 18, 2019 Monday morning management team meeting closed with a prayer.

A Day of “Giving” Held at the Cummins Unit

A blood drive was held at the Cummins Unit on March 6, 2019. While the unit’s initial goal was to collect 15 pints, Human Resources Manager Tabitha Whaley believed that they could do better and raised the goal to 20 units. The challenge was accepted and the new goal was met! Way to go, Cummins Unit staff!

Mental Health Services Representatives Attend UALR Recruitment Event

Shuvonne Johnson from the Wrightsville Unit and Reginald Pace from the Ouachita River Correctional Unit attended the Career and Internship Fair held at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on March 5, 2019. The community outreach event was a big success with the two representing the Arkansas Department of Correction’s Mental Health Services, along with many other mental health facilities from across the state, recruiting social workers.

Volunteer Training Held at Ouachita River Correctional Unit

The Ouachita River Correctional Unit (ORCU) Chaplaincy Department relies on the assistance of volunteers to effectively achieve its program goals. The unit held its annual volunteer training session on February 5, 2019. Volunteers were able to discuss a variety of topics with the unit’s management team and also learn up-to-date information concerning policies and security procedures.

ADC’s Grimes Unit Represented in New Vision Newport Leadership Program

Lt. David McClusky and Deputy Warden Steven Ricketts of the Grimes Unit (pictured right) were recently selected to participate in the 16th class of the New Vision Newport leadership program.

On February 5, 2019, the class traveled to Little Rock, where they visited the Arkansas State Capitol. The group was able to witness state government at work through legislative session proceedings, and also had the opportunity to meet Governor Asa Hutchinson, Senator Ronald Caldwell, and Arkansas Auditor Andrea Lea.

The class also made a stop at the offices of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, where they learned about what the Cooperatives offer the rural areas of Arkansas and the role they play in economic development.

The busy day ended with a tour of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, which celebrates Arkansas’s African American heritage.

Overall, the trip proved to be informative and beneficial for all who took part.

The purpose of New Vision Newport is to equip new leaders for Newport and Jackson County to be effective in the community. The program is sponsored by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, and is strengthened through the support of the Newport Economic Development Commission, the University of Arkansas System Cooperative Extension Service, and other community organizations.

Lt. McClusky and DW Ricketts will graduate from the program in May of this year, and their involvement will no doubt strengthen the Arkansas Department of Correction’s relationship with the community of Newport and Jackson County!

McPherson Representatives Attend Newport Chamber of Commerce Banquet

Warden Toni Bradley, Captain Johnnie Swift, EPC Lieutenant David McClusky, and Major Linda Louis of the McPherson Unit attended the 83rd Annual Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Newport Country Club on January 31, 2019. The event featured a social hour, dinner, auction, and annual awards presentation. Skip Rutherford, Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, was the featured speaker.