General Information
Receptionist................................................... 328-2260
Office of the Superintendent (11th Floor)
Superintendent-Dr. Wayne G. Sanstead... 328-4572
Executive Assistant-Lynette Norbeck...…. 328-4572
Asst Superintendent-Dr. Gary Gronberg... 328-1240
Asst Superintendent-G. David Massey ...... 328-2393
Administrative Services (11th Floor)
Director-Bonnie J. Miller ............................... 328-2346
Fiscal Management (11th Floor)
Asst Director & Grant Manager
Stephanie Gullickson
Title Programs ..................................... 328-2176
Admin Staff Officer-Kim Vega .......... 328-2175
Foundation Aid/Adult Ed
Grant Manager-Ann Chase
Child Nutrition & Food Distribution/
State Programs ................................... 328-1028
Grant Manager-Kathy Smith
Fed Special Ed Programs/Title III ..... 328-2615
Purchasing-Candy Tollefson ............. 328-2272
Business Communication Specialist
Kathy Dorgan...................................... 328-3545
Human Resources Management (11th Floor)
Asst Director-Addy Schmaltz ............ 328-3298
HR Technician-Linda Gibbins............ 328-2262
Admin Staff Officer-Lisa Lee.............. 328-2174
Child Nutrition and Food Distribution (11th Floor)
Director-Linda Schloer.................................. 328-4565
Asst Director-Loris Freier
Nutrition Education & Training.................... 328-2664
Manager-Deb Egeland
School Nutrition Programs ........................... 328-3718
Manager-Corrine Bennett
Child & Adult Care Food Program............. 328-3237
Program Manager-Melissa Anderson
Food Distribution Program........................... 328-2263
Program Administrator-Kim Kinnoin ........... 328-2275
Training
Coordinated School Health and Adult Ed (9th Floor)
Director-Valerie Fischer................................. 328-4138
Asst Director-Nita Wirtz
Safe and Drug Free/School Health............. 328-2265
Program Administrator-Drinda Olsen
Coordinate School Health ........................... 328-2269
Program Administrator-Elizabeth Miller
YRBS Data Manager, HIV/Aids Ed .............. 328-2098
Management Information Systems (10th Floor)
Director-Steve Snow...................................... 328-2189
Asst Director-Dorice Miller ............................ 328-2395
Lead Research Analyst-Girish Budhwar ..... 328-4886
Research Analyst-Don Kaiser....................... 328-1809
Senior Programmer Analyst-Joleen Gross . 328-1815
Programmer Analyst-Doris Tonneson.......... 328-1310
Programmer Analyst-Jamie Krous............... 328-3235
Programmer Analyst-Will Gardner
Data Process Coordinator-Judy Ortlip........ 328-2641
Computer & Network Spec-Bob LaFavor... 328-2009
Multi-media Developer/Web Development-
Roxie Dietrich.................................................. 328-3231
School Approval and Accreditation (9th Floor)
Director-Linda Paluck
Ed Improvement/Curriculum/Sch Fees...... 328-1718
Asst Director-Ann Ellefson
Prekindergarten/Kindergarten/Home Ed/
Summer School-............................................ 328-2295
Admin Staff Officer-Annette Miller
Elem/Library Media Credential ................... 328-4647
School Finance (11th Floor)
Director-Jerry Coleman.................................328-4051
Admin Staff Officer-Ken Steiner
Fall Enrollment.................................................328-1678
School Organization & Special Projects (11th Floor)
Director-Robert Marthaller............................328-2267
Special Education (State Library)
Director-Robert Rutten ..................................328-2277
Asst Director-Brenda Oas..............................328-2277
Asst Director-Vacant
Prof Development Grant ..............................328-2277
Regional Special Education Coordinators
Dr. Alison Dollar...............................................328-2277
Nancy Skorheim.............................................328-2277
Dr. D. Guy McDonald....................................328-2277
Gerry Teevens.................................................328-2277
Teresa Monicken............................................328-2277
Dr. Patrick Moran ...........................................328-2277
Standards & Achievement (9th Floor)
Director-Greg Gallagher ..............................328-1838
Asst Director-Vacant
State Testing Program ...................................328-2755
Asst Director-Dr. Mari Rasmussen
Bilingual & Language Acquisition ..............328-2958
Asst Director-Doreen Strode
Alternate Assessment ....................................328-4562
Program Administrator-Pauline Iler
Nat’l Assessment of Edu Progress ................328-4518
Admin Staff Officer-Paula Gabel
Title ll & Title V...................................................... 328-2296
Program Administrator-Vacant
School Technology ........................................328-3544
Title I (9th Floor)
Director-Laurie Matzke..................................328-2284
Asst Director-Stefanie Two Crow
Schoolwide .....................................................328-2292
Asst Director-Gail Schauer
Reading First....................................................328-2285
Asst Director-Jacki Harasym
Neglected & Delinquent ..............................328-1876
Asst Director-Dale Patrick
21st Century/Even Start.................................328-1644
Program Administrator-Tara Bitz
Homeless .........................................................328-4646
Program Administrator-Sandy Peterson
Migrant Education .........................................328-2170
Fiscal Officer-Mary Neigum..........................328-2281
ND Vision Services/School for the Blind - Grand Forks
Superintendent-Carmen Grove Suminski ...795-2708
Information and Reference ..........................795-2700
Fax ...................................................................795-2727
ND School for the Deaf - Devils Lake
Superintendent-Dennis Fogelson.................665-4410
Information .....................................................665-4400
Fax ................................. .................................665-4409
ND State Library - Bismarck
State Librarian-Doris Ott ................................328-2492
Asst State Librarian-Cindy Larson
Finance and Human Resources ..................328-2492
Fax ...................................................................328-2040
Toll Free..................................................(800) 472-2104
Education Credentials
Administrative-Patricia Mattern.................. 328-4571
Counseling-Patricia Mattern........................328-4571
Library Media-Annette Miller........................328-4647
Special Ed Director-Patricia Mattern ..........328-4571
Title I Teachers-Sandy Peterson ...................328-2170
Title I Paraprofessionals-Missy Schiller..........328-2254
Professor Emeritus -- Dr. Tom Seymour from West Fargo, North Dakota -- Professor, Minot State University, MSU Faculty Regents Award (2015) -- PAST Peer Reviewer (Higher Learning Commission - Chicago); - Author and Presenter Board of Directors, SRT Communications, Inc and Minot City Alderman - Ward 5 (2010-June, 2016) PAST - Editor-in-Chief (North Dakota State Senator (2002-2010) 2017-Cass County Electric Cooperative- Board of Directors
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
North Dakota Stock Market Game Winners
STATE STOCK MARKET GAME WINNERS ANNOUNCED 1/6/2009
Bismarck, ND - Students from Surrey High School, Simle Middle School of Bismarck, and St. John Elementary of Wahpeton, have taken first place honors in North Dakota for the Fall 2008 Stock Market Game (SMG). The teams receiving second place honors go to Surrey High School and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit of Bismarck. There were 931 teams and 2,132 students participating in all grade levels of the competition. Winning teams in this competition increased their portfolio by as much as $61,000, which is the goal of the competition.
SMG is a free resource to North Dakota schools, coordinated and sponsored by the North Dakota Securities Department's Investor Education program.
The Stock Market Game (SMG) is a ten or fifteen-week simulation of Wall Street trading that provides a framework for teaching students in grades 4-12 about the American economic system. "Offered in the fall and spring semesters, SMG is available on the Internet and is designed for classroom use as a tool to increase understanding of the stock market, the costs and benefits involved in economic decision-making, the sources and use of capital and other related economic concepts," said Diane Kambeitz, Coordinator of the North Dakota game from the North Dakota Securities Department.
The individual member of the winning team in the Elementary division was Ryan Matejcek of St. John Elementary School, Wahpeton. His teacher-advisor is Jennifer Conzemius. Winning the Middle School division competition was Kyle Palmer of Simle Middle School in Bismarck. His teacher-advisor is Lynn Gress. And, winning the High School division competition from Surrey High School was Kody Kraft. His teacher-advisor is Gary Walhaug.
SMG is an interdisciplinary teaching tool that allows teachers to create and direct learning in the classroom in a variety of disciplines. During the ten or fifteen-week session, student teams invest a hypothetical $100,000 in common stocks on the New York and American Stock Exchanges and the NASDAQ Stock Market. Teams enter their transactions and monitor daily their portfolios including trades, current holdings, brokerage fees, margin interest and team rankings. At the end of the simulation, the winning teams in the elementary, middle school and high school competitions achieving the largest investment gains are recognized. The Stock Market Game was created and is made available by the Foundation for Investor Education, an affiliate of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and is offered in all 50 states, as well as other countries. It is coordinated and made available at no cost to all North Dakota teachers and students in grades 4-12.
"SMG is an opportunity for students to not only learn about the market and how it affects our economy, but also to think about preparing for their financial futures," stated Kambeitz.
For more information on The Stock Market Game, contact the North Dakota Securities Department at 1-800-297-5124 (local 328-2910) or visit the SMG website at www.stockmarketgame.org.
Additional Information
The North Dakota Securities Department regulates the offer and sale of securities and franchises in the State of North Dakota, and protects the investing public by enforcing compliance with our state's laws. The Department promotes public awareness of securities laws to prevent violations and to prevent investment fraud. The Department provides investor education programs for all ages to improve the level of financial literacy in our state.
Contact information:
North Dakota Securities Department
State Capitol, 5th Floor
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0510
Bismarck, ND - Students from Surrey High School, Simle Middle School of Bismarck, and St. John Elementary of Wahpeton, have taken first place honors in North Dakota for the Fall 2008 Stock Market Game (SMG). The teams receiving second place honors go to Surrey High School and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit of Bismarck. There were 931 teams and 2,132 students participating in all grade levels of the competition. Winning teams in this competition increased their portfolio by as much as $61,000, which is the goal of the competition.
SMG is a free resource to North Dakota schools, coordinated and sponsored by the North Dakota Securities Department's Investor Education program.
The Stock Market Game (SMG) is a ten or fifteen-week simulation of Wall Street trading that provides a framework for teaching students in grades 4-12 about the American economic system. "Offered in the fall and spring semesters, SMG is available on the Internet and is designed for classroom use as a tool to increase understanding of the stock market, the costs and benefits involved in economic decision-making, the sources and use of capital and other related economic concepts," said Diane Kambeitz, Coordinator of the North Dakota game from the North Dakota Securities Department.
The individual member of the winning team in the Elementary division was Ryan Matejcek of St. John Elementary School, Wahpeton. His teacher-advisor is Jennifer Conzemius. Winning the Middle School division competition was Kyle Palmer of Simle Middle School in Bismarck. His teacher-advisor is Lynn Gress. And, winning the High School division competition from Surrey High School was Kody Kraft. His teacher-advisor is Gary Walhaug.
SMG is an interdisciplinary teaching tool that allows teachers to create and direct learning in the classroom in a variety of disciplines. During the ten or fifteen-week session, student teams invest a hypothetical $100,000 in common stocks on the New York and American Stock Exchanges and the NASDAQ Stock Market. Teams enter their transactions and monitor daily their portfolios including trades, current holdings, brokerage fees, margin interest and team rankings. At the end of the simulation, the winning teams in the elementary, middle school and high school competitions achieving the largest investment gains are recognized. The Stock Market Game was created and is made available by the Foundation for Investor Education, an affiliate of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and is offered in all 50 states, as well as other countries. It is coordinated and made available at no cost to all North Dakota teachers and students in grades 4-12.
"SMG is an opportunity for students to not only learn about the market and how it affects our economy, but also to think about preparing for their financial futures," stated Kambeitz.
For more information on The Stock Market Game, contact the North Dakota Securities Department at 1-800-297-5124 (local 328-2910) or visit the SMG website at www.stockmarketgame.org.
Additional Information
The North Dakota Securities Department regulates the offer and sale of securities and franchises in the State of North Dakota, and protects the investing public by enforcing compliance with our state's laws. The Department promotes public awareness of securities laws to prevent violations and to prevent investment fraud. The Department provides investor education programs for all ages to improve the level of financial literacy in our state.
Contact information:
North Dakota Securities Department
State Capitol, 5th Floor
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0510
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Senator Potter in the Prairie Independent
Winter Activities - Midwest Marriage - Regency Ball - Community Calendar
Remember how your mother told
you that when something sounds
too good to be true, it usually is?
Well, your mother may have been talking
about the effort to change North Dakota’s
pharmacy ownership law.
Under the current law, a pharmacist
must own 51 percent of a North Dakota
pharmacy. However, an organization
named “North Dakotans for Affordable
Healthcare” - funded in large part
by Wal-Mart and Walgreens - has
mounted an effort to eliminate
the “pharmacist owned”
requirement.
The Prairie Independent
congratulates
President-elect
Barack Obama
The people of
Bismarck-Mandan
wish you well as
you lead our nation
during a time of
great challenges.
Page 8: Local citizens
react to new president
Photograph courtesy BarackObama.com.
By the PI Staff
Enjoy all the amenities of a classic
New Year’s with Sleepy
Hollow Summer Theatre’s
celebration at the Radisson Hotel
in Bismarck. The evening includes
champagne, dinner, dance, dessert,
party favors and a balloon drop complimented
by the professional entertainment
of Job Christenson with the
Joel Gilbertson Ensemble.
“This is an evening featuring the
music made famous by singers including
Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra
and Sammy Davis Jr., accompanied
by ambiance and fanfare,” Susan Lundberg,
Executive Director of Sleepy
Hollow Summer Theatre, said. “Single
people as well as couples will feel
comfortable enjoying the festivities.”
Job and Joel recently returned from
a performance at the White House in
late October. Job is a vocalist, actor,
dancer, and choreographer with
Broadway experience. Originally
from Grand Forks, Job has both directed
productions for and is the Ar-
New Year,
Old School
Las Vegas Entertainment
at Sleepy Hollow’s New
Year’s Event
Looking Ahead to the
61st North Dakota
Legislative Assembly
New Session Begins January 6; Bismarck Legislator
Explains the Budget
By Senator Tracy Potter
Three weeks before Governor
Hoeven unveiled his proposed
budget, I told Prairie Public’s
Dave Thompson the governor was
likely to find more support from Democrats
than from Republicans this session.
When his budget was presented
to a joint Session of the House and
Senate on December 3, Republicans
were polite, while reaction from the
Democratic-NPLers in the House
Chamber was enthusiastic – and for
good reason. The Governor adopted
significant major policy initiatives
from the Democrats’ platform.
Hoeven’s $425 million plan for
property tax relief and improving adequacy
in education matches the Democratic-
NPL platform. It will finally
achieve the goal of the 1980 Oil Tax
Initiative, led 28 years ago by a coalition
of the Democratic-NPL, Farmers
Union, and North Dakota Education
Association. It will bring the state’s
share of the cost of public schools to
70 percent, up from the sub-50 percent
of recent biennia.
The budget raises state employees’
pay 5 percent each year of the biennium,
fully-funds their health insurance
package despite rapidly-increasing
premiums, and does the same for college
and university faculty and staff.
Recognizing that raises are going to
Continued on
Remember how your mother told
you that when something sounds
too good to be true, it usually is?
Well, your mother may have been talking
about the effort to change North Dakota’s
pharmacy ownership law.
Under the current law, a pharmacist
must own 51 percent of a North Dakota
pharmacy. However, an organization
named “North Dakotans for Affordable
Healthcare” - funded in large part
by Wal-Mart and Walgreens - has
mounted an effort to eliminate
the “pharmacist owned”
requirement.
The Prairie Independent
congratulates
President-elect
Barack Obama
The people of
Bismarck-Mandan
wish you well as
you lead our nation
during a time of
great challenges.
Page 8: Local citizens
react to new president
Photograph courtesy BarackObama.com.
By the PI Staff
Enjoy all the amenities of a classic
New Year’s with Sleepy
Hollow Summer Theatre’s
celebration at the Radisson Hotel
in Bismarck. The evening includes
champagne, dinner, dance, dessert,
party favors and a balloon drop complimented
by the professional entertainment
of Job Christenson with the
Joel Gilbertson Ensemble.
“This is an evening featuring the
music made famous by singers including
Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra
and Sammy Davis Jr., accompanied
by ambiance and fanfare,” Susan Lundberg,
Executive Director of Sleepy
Hollow Summer Theatre, said. “Single
people as well as couples will feel
comfortable enjoying the festivities.”
Job and Joel recently returned from
a performance at the White House in
late October. Job is a vocalist, actor,
dancer, and choreographer with
Broadway experience. Originally
from Grand Forks, Job has both directed
productions for and is the Ar-
New Year,
Old School
Las Vegas Entertainment
at Sleepy Hollow’s New
Year’s Event
Looking Ahead to the
61st North Dakota
Legislative Assembly
New Session Begins January 6; Bismarck Legislator
Explains the Budget
By Senator Tracy Potter
Three weeks before Governor
Hoeven unveiled his proposed
budget, I told Prairie Public’s
Dave Thompson the governor was
likely to find more support from Democrats
than from Republicans this session.
When his budget was presented
to a joint Session of the House and
Senate on December 3, Republicans
were polite, while reaction from the
Democratic-NPLers in the House
Chamber was enthusiastic – and for
good reason. The Governor adopted
significant major policy initiatives
from the Democrats’ platform.
Hoeven’s $425 million plan for
property tax relief and improving adequacy
in education matches the Democratic-
NPL platform. It will finally
achieve the goal of the 1980 Oil Tax
Initiative, led 28 years ago by a coalition
of the Democratic-NPL, Farmers
Union, and North Dakota Education
Association. It will bring the state’s
share of the cost of public schools to
70 percent, up from the sub-50 percent
of recent biennia.
The budget raises state employees’
pay 5 percent each year of the biennium,
fully-funds their health insurance
package despite rapidly-increasing
premiums, and does the same for college
and university faculty and staff.
Recognizing that raises are going to
Continued on
Monday, January 5, 2009
North Dakota Corrections Newsletter
“Who Let the Dogs In?”
(Program for Assistance Dogs at JRCC) By: Donald Redmann, Warden of JRCC
In September we began to explore the
possibility of starting an assistance dog
program at the James River Correctional
Center (JRCC). These types of programs
are not new to the fi eld of corrections and
I personally had the opportunity to see
one in operation while conducting an audit
for ACA in Ohio. During that audit I saw
potential for this program, not only for the
public, but for the inmates at the facility.
We contacted Service Dogs for
America (SDA) located in Jud,
North Dakota. The staff was
excited about the possibility
of entering into a partnership
that would benefi t everyone
involved. I toured their facility
and was impressed with the
program and the skills the
dogs were trained to provide.
They not only provide service
skills, but also friendship and assistance
to physically challenged individuals.
Shortly after my visit they, along with
four assistance dogs, toured our facility
to determine if we had the space and
capabilities to operate. It was interesting to
watch the reactions of the inmates as they
encountered the dogs. Many were excited to
see them, but others clearly changed their
demeanor while interacting with the dogs.
We currently have a formal agreement to
establish authority and responsibilities in
managing the program. The staff from SDA
will provide on site training and supervision
of the inmates during the training period
and will also be responsible for the
food and veterinary care of the dogs.
JRCC will provide adequate security,
staff supervision, space and materials
necessary to train and care
for the dogs. Currently Case
Manager Chad Pringle and
Lt. Kari Frehse are providing
the leadership for this
program along with several
offi cers, but our goal is to
have all staff be a part of
this program as it develops.
We started with nine
inmates as primary handlers, four as
alternates and three training dogs; with a
goal of up to ten dogs and 30 inmates at
a time in the program. As the inmates
training becomes more in-depth, we will
be able to start with puppies at around
eight weeks of age and work with them
for about eighteen months. The dogs
also need to be provided with real world
(continue on page 2)
North Dakota Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation
dogs
The Insider
PAGE 2 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
Mr. Ron Crouse has
been named Acting
Superintendent at the Youth
Correctional Center. Mr.
Crouse has served as an
integral part of the staff
team at the Center for 15
years, and has played a leadership role
since 1994. The Division of Juvenile Service
expects more from its administrative team
(Who Let the Dogs In continued from page 1)
experiences such as stores, vehicles,
children and crossing streets. To accomplish
this we need the help of staff and public
volunteers to take a dog for the day or
weekend to expose them to these elements.
It is important to understand that this is not
a pet program but a “working dog” program.
It requires strict adherence to the training
regimen, maintaining a daily journal and
taking care of the hygiene for each dog.
The carefully screened inmate handlers
must maintain exceptional behavior.
Each dog will have up to
three handlers to assist
with the work and care of the animal.
The dogs will be housed with the
inmate handlers at all times as the
trained, the dogs will return to SDA to
complete the advance training required.
This cooperative effort will signifi cantly
enhance SDA’s ability to provide
more service dogs to those in need.
In addition, the inmates will gain
experience and training as they provide
a valuable service to the community.
Staff time will need to be dedicated to the
program, but this is great opportunity to
provide inmates with meaningful work
and the potential to develop positive life
skills. The staff is united in making the
program a success and I hope you will
have an opportunity to visit JRCC and
see the program fi rst hand. If you want
to read more about the Service Dogs for
America organization, you can visit their
Mr dogs are trained basic skills. Once
web site at www.greatplainsdogs.com.
Change of Tides at YCC
than simply an expectation of having put in
one’s time, and Ron is no exception to that
rule. Ron is a careful, principled leader who
embodies the traits research suggests are
core characteristics of effective correctional
staff. The North Dakota Youth Correctional
Center has a long and proud history of
providing correctional services to troubled
youth, and Ron carries forward that tradition.
to inquire about offenders located in a North
Dakota Correctional Facility on our web site. To
get there go to our web site and on the left side
under menu options click “Family & Friends”
or “Offender Search” and then “Inmate
Lookup” or you can click on the following link:
http://www.nd.gov/docr/offenderlkup/index.asp.
Once there simply type in the last name of
p
The IT Department has released a new way
New Feature on DOCR Web site
the offender and it will bring up a list of names
that match. When you click on the name of
the person you are looking for it will show a
picture, date of birth, estimated release date
and what facility they are located at. You can
also inquire on Americas Most Wanted, FBI
Most Wanted, ND Sex Offenders and the ND
Amber Alert located under “Offender Search”.
THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 3
Inmate families
and friends often
bear most of the
cost & burden of
communication with
the offenders in the
prison system.
Electronic Email for Inmates
By: Deputy Warden Patrick Branson
Technology Overview
The term technology today is so widely
accepted that we actually have divisions
intended to separate one form from another.
We have high tech, low tech, green technology,
brown technology, space technology, hypertechnology,
nanotechnology and fi nally, we
even have the term “tech factor” to describe
the level of technology. In the tech factor scale
you would probably fi nd e-mail at the lowest
level. Let’s be real here, even our parents
have been e-mailing family and friends for
years. However, the very minute you start to
talk about e-mail for inmates the faces in the
room turn sour and the mood turns to panic.
Just for clarifi cation sake, I don’t like the term
e-mail in every application of electronic mail
in regards to inmates. The only true e-mail
application here is using kiosks for the delivery
of this technology to inmates. The
most widely used application today
is the print and scan method; the
planned application for both the
North Dakota State Penitentiary
and the James River Correctional
Center. This application does
not allow an inmate access to
a key board, computer screen
or send or receive anything
electronically. In this process
the inmate receives the mail on
printed paper and sends a response in handwritten
form on paper provided by the vendor
and scanned by staff. We do plan to use kiosks
at the Missouri River Correctional Center as
our pilot project to learn more about kiosks
and their place in our corrections environment.
Background and Security
How I got to the point of being an advocate
of electronic mail for inmates has everything
to do with my history and experience with
mail in the maximum-security setting. For
the past seven years as Deputy Warden of
Operations there was very little left to the
imagination in regards to my experience
screening mail. My offi ce shares a wall with
the facilities mail room and all the screening
takes place adjacent to me in the next offi ce
shared by two administrative services staff.
Even though my duties as administrative
oversight of this process pales in comparison
to the volume of mail screened by these two
administrative services staff, it would still
take me hours to list all the examples I could
recall of how contaminated the mail is entering
correctional facilities today. The list would
include narcotic infused pages and cards,
pages stained with body fl uids and perfumes,
powders, herbs, minerals, oils and other items
poured into envelopes and many other items;
half of which I could not remember if I tried.
It would be virtually impossible to begin
to identify the vast majority of unknown
substances sent through the mail so looking
for a totally sanitary and safe alternative is
exactly what brought us to this
technology. This was by no means
an accident. There is an old saying
in this business; “always resolve
all issues in your favor.” I am very
fortunate to serve on one National
Institute of Justice (NIJ) sponsored
advisory board (RULETC) and one
NIJ sponsored Technology Working
Group and I have a vast network of
the best technological minds in the
corrections profession today just
an e-mail away. The general consensus with
most of these technology specialists in regards
to solving most of the mail issues in corrections
today is the electronic mail systems for inmates
if applied properly. It is in our best interest to
explore our options to clean up the mail screening
process and provide safer and more secure
methods for both staff and inmates.
There are a handful of states currently
using an inmate electronic mail service
provider and equally as many other states
in the implementation process at this time.
One of the largest correctional systems in the
US, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is currently
piloting the electronic mail delivery technology in
(continued on page 4)
PAGE 4 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
(Electronic Mail for Inmates continued from page 3)
20 of their facilities. They are interested in this
technology for all the same reasons and the
goals are to cut down on the amount of paper
mail and the associated contraband that fl ows
through their prisons (LRP Publications 2008).
It is obvious this is a shared problem in the state
prison systems, as well as the federal system.
Cost and How it Works
I have addressed some of what we have to
gain with this new technology in our prisons
but is there a gain for the inmates and their
families? The fact is the inmates and their
families and friends have the most to gain.
Inmate families and friends often bear most of
the cost and burden of communication with the
offenders in the prison system. In many cases
family and friends send money to offenders
for phone calls, they always drive or travel to
the facilities for visits (many times hundreds
of miles) and they pay a minimum of 42 cents
to send in a letter through the mail. With
the new electronic mail service families and
friends can purchase 10 stamps for $3.50 (.35
per stamp), 20 stamps for $6.00
(.30 per stamp) or 40 stamps
for $10.00 (.25 per stamp). The
family or friend will also have a
much greater chance the offender
will respond back in a two-way
transaction because the return
sheet is pre programmed to go
back to the person sending the
mail. They don’t have this level of confi dence
if they send the offender money with hope
that the offender purchases US Postage and
eventually writes a letter. That money often
is spent on other items in the commissary.
As you can see, in a two-way transaction
using stamps purchased for the $10 amount
through electronic mail the family can save 34
cents. When you look at the volume of mail
some family members send these offenders
there would be a huge savings over a year.
Creating an Account and Features
The process for family and friends to sign up
for this service is simple. However, a home
or work computer would provide the most
convenience but a public access computer such
as a public library computer would work as well.
They simply go to www.jpay.com and follow
the instructions for e-mail for offenders. A
family member or friend must set up an
account in any event and, in the application
of kiosk delivery, an inmate is still restricted
because the kiosk will not give them access
to the Internet. Once an account is set up
the inmate is simply in a reactive role allowing
them to respond either by handwritten and
scanning method or responding to an e-mail
after receiving a letter on the kiosk. An offender
using a kiosk can initiate a letter to a family or
friend if the account they use has ample funds
and the only person they can write to is the
person holding the account with the service
provider. This prevents inmates from using
the electronic mail service with anyone other
than the person holding the account. The same
control exists with electronic letters delivered
through the print and scan method, as the
offender receives a blank page along with
their printed hardcopy letter with a barcode at
the top of the page. The barcode routes the
handwritten response upon scanning back to
the person holding the account
through the service provider.
Pictures can be sent for the cost
of a stamp per each picture.
This is where the home or work
computer works best because
the family or friend can send
pictures from their personal fi les.
Conclusion
The electronic mail system for offenders is a
secure system with clear benefi ts for both the
offender and the correctional agency. There are
numerous security tools built into the program
for the correctional staff. The goal with this
technology is to increase the communication
and frequency of contacts between the
offender, family and friends by reducing the
cost of mail, while providing increased security
and safety to the facility staff. This is clearly
a win-win solution to an age-old problem that
has frustrated correctional mail room staff
for years. My prediction is electronic mail
will have the same impact on corrections
as it has on society in general and stamps
will eventually become a thing of the past.
...go to
www.jpay.com
and follow the
instructions for
e-mail for offenders.
THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 5
Organizational Characteristics. All DOCR
Inmates. One Day Counts On The Last Day Of The
Month. These Numbers Use The Association Of State
Correctional Administrator (ASCA) Performance Based
Measurement Standards (PBMS) And Are Based On The
Controlling Sentence. The department is migrating to the
use of these standards.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
General Organization Information
Prisoners Housed By DOCR Institutions 1,043 1,064 1,054 1,061 1,069 1,053 1,072 1,075 1,077 1,062 1063
Prisoners Outsourced (Not In A ND DOCR Facility) 383 366 363 356 375 397 381 383 384 410 412
Total Inmates Under DOCR Responsibility 1,426 1,430 1,417 1,417 1,444 1,450 1,453 1,458 1,461 1,472 1,475
Initial Prison Sentence By Court In Years
Average Length of Sentence 5.06 5.09 5.09 5.09 5.04 5.04 5.03 5.03 5.00 5.03 4.99
Number Of Inmates In Sentence Category
Inmates Serving Less Than 1 Year 48 41 39 39 39 36 37 32 33 34 32
Inmates Serving 1 To 3 Years 795 793 788 786 814 813 826 832 842 845 840
Inmates Serving 3 To 5 Years (3.01 to 5) 274 285 279 281 276 287 276 280 271 274 276
Inmates Serving 5 To 10 Years (5.01 to 10) 155 156 157 157 156 155 155 155 156 157 161
Inmates Serving 10 To 20 Years (10.01 to 20) 72 73 72 72 74 74 74 73 73 75 76
Inmates Serving 20 To 40 Years (20.01 to 40) 31 31 31 31 32 32 32 32 33 33 33
Inmates Serving More Than 40 Years (40.01 plus) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 9
Inmates Serving Life With Parole 13 13 13 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 32
Inmates - Life Without Parole 28 28 28 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 16
Inmates - Death Sentence 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crime Distribution Statistics
Part I Violent Crime Inmates 415 431 440 438 443 443 443 445 451 457 468
Other Violent Crime Inmates 158 155 148 150 152 153 150 154 154 164 160
Property Crime Inmates 288 284 286 291 296 305 309 311 310 306 301
Drug Offense Inmates 412 409 394 381 379 373 373 375 377 374 372
Other Public Order Offense Inmates 153 151 149 157 174 176 178 172 169 171 174
Other Crime Inmates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inmate Demographics
Average Inmate Age 34.72 34.75 34.64 34.40 34.23 34.09 34.03 33.81 34.03 34.36 34/39
Male Inmates 1,279 1,283 1,264 1,269 1,294 1,289 1,290 1,296 1,299 1,314 1317
Female Inmates 147 147 153 148 150 161 163 162 162 158 158
White Inmates 944 936 930 921 943 947 958 957 964 968 969
Black Inmates 76 79 82 80 81 83 83 83 83 86 86
Native Hawaiian or Pacifi c Islander Inmates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
American/Alaskan Native Inmates 322 328 318 324 329 327 321 326 324 331 332
Hispanic Or Latino Inmates 78 82 82 86 84 86 85 85 82 79 79
Asian Inmates 2 2 2 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 4
Other Race/Ethnicity Inmates 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5
Inmates With Unknown/Missing Race/Ethnicity 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inmates Non-Citizens 11 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 10 12 11
PAGE 6 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
Like a favorite movie
rewind 20 years to when
this project fi rst started.
No one, including me
could have imagined
the impact it would have on our
community. Now fast forward 20 years
to the good part and here we are bringing
smiles and laughter to more children
then ever and we feel lucky to have been
given a role in this great motion picture.
Since the Playpen Project started, it has
been a combined involving The
Bismarck Salvation Army,
the North Penitentiary and
the Missouri Correctional Center
(MRCC). refurbish toys
for the less fortunate families in the area
by collecting used and toys from
the community and redistributing them.
This effort is a great collaboration
between the agencies. The Bismarck
Tribune furnishes advertising space
in their publication informing the
community of the needs of the program.
At the beginning of the program they
also were of their
available front of their
building until outgrew
that allotted space. that a semitrailer
was placed on the South Dan’s
Supermarket parking lot where the
public is free to drop off toys. The toys
are then picked up by the MRCC staff
and transported to the facility for repairs.
W i t h i n t h e p a s t 2 0 y e a r s over
200 inmates have worked on cleaning
and repairing the toys to be
given to
the children. The Women’s
Prison in
New England has also played
a huge
part in preparing toys for distribution.
Most of the toys sent to New
England
are dolls that require repairs and
cleaning before they can be sent out.
Once the toys are ready The Salvation
Army uses a program they developed
that allows them to meet the needs of
hundreds of families in our area that
would have a very lean Christmas with out
the possibility of utilizing this program.
The inmates at the facilities have
always been interested in working on
the Playpen Project and there is always
a long list of those wanting
to help.
They have a knack for dealing with
the toys, especially electronic ones,
as well as bikes. They also feel it is a
nice way to give back to the community
and to help give children something
that they themselves missed out on.
This program is one that benefi ts all
involved. It draws the
community and the DOCR
closer together in a
combined effort to give
a joyous Christmas to
those in need. And unlike
your favorite movie
there is no end - only sequels.
The Playpen Project Celebrates
Twenty Years of Magic
By: Keith Grabowska, Director of MRCC
t faci
een w
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ys t r
aypen Proje
mbined effort invo
Tribune, The Salvat
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Our goal is to ref
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donating most
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ed space After th
THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 7
Daphne Heid, Youth
Correctional Center Math
Teacher, received word
that she has been chosen
to receive the Donald
Maley Spirit of Excellence
Outstanding Graduate
Student Citation. This
award named for Dr. Donald Maley,
founder of the Foundation for Technology
Education, recognizes excellence in
graduate level scholarship and leadership
potential. She was nominated by Don
Mugan, Professor Valley City State
College. Daphne will be recognized at
the International Technology Education
Association Annual Conference to be held
in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2009.
h d h f d f th F d ti f T h l
Spirit of Excellence at YCC
YCC Helps United Way
Donna St. Moritz, Youth Correctional
Center Director of Administrative Services,
volunteered to be YCC’s fund raising
coordinator for United Way. Her efforts
began in 2005, when she set the fi rst year’s
goal at $450.00. She exceeded this amount
by $282.00. Her 2006 goal was $769.00,
which she exceeded by $50.00. In 2007
she set the bar at $860.00 and exceeded
that by $155.00 and lastly, in 2008, she
has exceeded her goal of $1,035.00 by
well over $200.00. Most United Way fund
raising coordinators would stop at solicited
individual donations from staff, but that
money fell short of her goals. When she
sets out to complete a task or goal falling
short was not in her vocabulary. She got
creative by initiating such activities as
Casual Week, Silent Auctions, Carnation
Sales and White Elephant Sales. She
would meet her goals by whatever means
it took. As a member of the Administrative
Team at the YCC, we are proud to have
Donna as a member of our team. She
approaches every task presented to her
with that Pit Bull mentality and you can
be assured the task will be completed with
the utmost profi ciency. Her United Way
efforts are no exception. Well done Donna.
Linda Houfek, Human
Resource Director of the
DOCR Central Offi ce, retired
on November 24 after 30
years of service. (23 of that
being with the DOCR) She
fi rst started working in the
Social Services Division and then moved
to Pride Industries. A few years later she
came to the Vocational Rehabilitation
Department for several years and in 1985
moved into the position of Personnel
Offi cer at the NDSP. In 1990 she became
the Human Resource Director of the DOCR.
Congratulations Linda on your retirement!
Good-bye to a Long Time Friend
PAGE 8 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
DOCR Medical Department
Streamlines Into the 21st Century
Currently the DOCR
is working on a large
project called EMRS
Electronic Medical
Records System” which
is a comprehensive
o m p u t e r - b a s e d
medical records
management software
system that will be
compatible with the
DOCR’s offender
management system,
referred to as iTAG. It will create consistent
medical records and allow DOCR Medical Staff
to focus on patient care, diagnosis, treatment
and disease prevention. EMRS provides
patient records in real-time, accessible by
more than one health care provider or staff
member for the same record. The results
are lower healthcare costs while improving
the level of the quality of care. In addition,
EMRS provides staff with tools that capture
clinical data, simplify the transition to
electronic medical records, and automatically
populate medical records with pre-existing
data where appropriate, while improving
productivity without changing operational
workfl ow; and the advantages list goes on...
The EMRS is into its 18th-month of
development, which has, thus far, included:
• Defi ning our business operation and
plan;
• Completing the RFP “Request for
Proposal” and product/vendor
selection process;
• Defi ning operational applications;
• Designing additional programs;
• Building interfaces.
The testing and implementation phase
of the EMRS project is scheduled to be
completed by May 1st, 2009. So far, the
project has met all its deadlines. The goal is
to be operational by the end of the biennium.
The vender who was chosen to build the
EMRS is AssistMed, Inc. which is a USA
company that utilizes programmers from
India and Canada. The application will allow
the DOCR Medical Department to completely
function paperless. The EMRS will be utilized
by the DOCR Medical Departments providing
services to both the Division of Adult
Services and the Division of Juvenile Services
which includes male and female offenders.
The EMRS is web-based and includes:
• Comprehensive scheduling
component;
• Complete pharmacy model, dental
program, inpatient and outpatient
programs, inventory management
program; and
• Electronic physician order entry system
Some of the features offered by the
system are laboratory interfaces, ability
to store digital radiographs, and an
electronic medication delivery system.
The DOCR Medical Department and
Information Technology Director, David
Huhncke, has been involved in this lengthy
process of implementing the EMRS project;
and their effort is greatly appreciated. DOCR
staff are gratifi ed that the selected system
continues to
live up to their
expectations. It is
also realized that
much work is still
ahead pending
d e v e l o p m e n t
completion and
implementation
of the EMRS
p r o j e c t .
By: Kathy Bachmeier, Director of Medical Services
CCi
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THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 9
In a ramshackle dwelling somewhere in
Nicaragua, a mother with her toddler
smiles gratefully. Her baby boy will be
warm in a soft, new blanket a gift from
the mission team. In St. Petersburg,
Russia an orphaned little girl treasures
her very own cap. Boys at the orphanage
received their own crocheted hacky sacks.
Meanwhile here in the U.S. a young mother
runs a hand over the soft, crocheted burial
garment adorning her stillborn baby, “a gift
from a prison in the Dakotas” so she’s told.
Orphans in Lithuania, newborns in Africa,
inner-city kids in the US, and a sitting
United States President share a common
thread, each have been encouraged by an
inmate crochet program now in its fi fth
year at James River Correctional Center.
One unique feature about the program is
it is entirely male. One inmate’s request
for yarn with which to learn crochet got
the ball rolling and within one month
over a dozen men had learned and begun
making many of the items listed above.
Donations of yarn also came, and quickly.
With-in days of the initial inmate’s request,
Crocheting a Little Something...
(Turns Out To Be a Big Something)
By: JRCC Chaplain Mark W. Haines M. Div BCC
seemingly out of nowhere, women from a
rural North Dakota church asked Chaplain
if he could use a box of yarn, and would
his inmates consider crafting baby caps for
African newborns. This project continues
even today. Other outreaches have included
clothes for Kosovo (delivered by missionaries
in Norway), pink scarves for cancer
survivors through “hands to hearts” and fl ag
blankets for the families of fallen soldiers.
These outreaches are only possible
here at JRCC due to the forward and
creative thinking of Unit Manager Stewart
Baumgartner and Security Chief Kevin
Arthaud. Their patience and foresight
deserve mention…as do the hundreds of
inmates who, by working with the Chaplain,
fi gured out how to give something back.
A side note: Inspired by the good works
of our inmates, and sensing God’s hand in
that work, the American missionaries who
delivered the baby blankets to Nicaragua
contacted us soon after their return home.
Their next trip to Nicaragua would be to that
country’s prisons… to encourage the captives
with song, and to teach them how to crochet.
The Insider Newsletter is an offi cial publication of
the North Dakota Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation, and is published four times each year.
Its goal is to enhance communication and keep staff,
and all those interested, informed of developments
and achievements throughout the Department.
All employees are encouraged to submit articles,
letters, comments, and ideas for future issues of
The Insider to be considered in the next publication.
offificial A Message From The Editor
The Editor reserves the right to edit or exclude,
if deemed inappropriate, any items submitted
for publication. Please e-mail articles to:
Editor: Michelle Linster
E-mail: mlinster@nd.gov
Phone: (701) 328-6362
ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
PO Box 1898
Bismarck, ND 58502-1898
North Dakota Department of
Corrections & Rehabilitation
3100 Railroad Avenue
P.O. Box 1898
Bismarck, ND 58502-1898
Phone: (701) 328-6390
Fax: (701) 328-6651
www.nd.gov/docr/
Email: mlinster@nd.gov
Offi cial Mail
State of North Dakota
January 4-5
February 8-9
March 8-9
April 5-6
May 3-4
May 31 - June 1 (June PB)
June 28-29 (July PB)
August 2-3
August 30-31 (September PB)
October 4-5
November 8-9
December 6-7
April 7 November 10
Parole Board Meeting
Dates for 2009
Pardon Advisory
Board Dates for 2009
Our mission is…
To enhance public safety, to reduce the risk of
future criminal behavior by holding adult and juvenile
offenders accountable, and to provide opportunities
for change.
Pardon Advisory Board Members are appointed
by the Governor for an open ended term to include
the attorney general, two members of the parole
board, and 2 citizens/residents of the state. The
Pardon Board Members are listed as follows:
Members Location
Duane Dekrey, Chairman Pettibone
Craig Smith Bismarck
Wayne Stenehjem Bismarck
Beverley Adams Fargo
Everett Nels Olson Minot
Parole Board Members are appointed by
the Governor for a three-year term. The
Parole Board Members are listed as follows:
Members Location
John Olson, Chairman Bismarck
Dr. Richard Davison Bismarck
Everett Nels Olson Minot
Budd Warren Fargo
Beverley Adams Fargo
Vacant
Parole Board
Members
Pardon Advisory
Board Members
(Program for Assistance Dogs at JRCC) By: Donald Redmann, Warden of JRCC
In September we began to explore the
possibility of starting an assistance dog
program at the James River Correctional
Center (JRCC). These types of programs
are not new to the fi eld of corrections and
I personally had the opportunity to see
one in operation while conducting an audit
for ACA in Ohio. During that audit I saw
potential for this program, not only for the
public, but for the inmates at the facility.
We contacted Service Dogs for
America (SDA) located in Jud,
North Dakota. The staff was
excited about the possibility
of entering into a partnership
that would benefi t everyone
involved. I toured their facility
and was impressed with the
program and the skills the
dogs were trained to provide.
They not only provide service
skills, but also friendship and assistance
to physically challenged individuals.
Shortly after my visit they, along with
four assistance dogs, toured our facility
to determine if we had the space and
capabilities to operate. It was interesting to
watch the reactions of the inmates as they
encountered the dogs. Many were excited to
see them, but others clearly changed their
demeanor while interacting with the dogs.
We currently have a formal agreement to
establish authority and responsibilities in
managing the program. The staff from SDA
will provide on site training and supervision
of the inmates during the training period
and will also be responsible for the
food and veterinary care of the dogs.
JRCC will provide adequate security,
staff supervision, space and materials
necessary to train and care
for the dogs. Currently Case
Manager Chad Pringle and
Lt. Kari Frehse are providing
the leadership for this
program along with several
offi cers, but our goal is to
have all staff be a part of
this program as it develops.
We started with nine
inmates as primary handlers, four as
alternates and three training dogs; with a
goal of up to ten dogs and 30 inmates at
a time in the program. As the inmates
training becomes more in-depth, we will
be able to start with puppies at around
eight weeks of age and work with them
for about eighteen months. The dogs
also need to be provided with real world
(continue on page 2)
North Dakota Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation
dogs
The Insider
PAGE 2 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
Mr. Ron Crouse has
been named Acting
Superintendent at the Youth
Correctional Center. Mr.
Crouse has served as an
integral part of the staff
team at the Center for 15
years, and has played a leadership role
since 1994. The Division of Juvenile Service
expects more from its administrative team
(Who Let the Dogs In continued from page 1)
experiences such as stores, vehicles,
children and crossing streets. To accomplish
this we need the help of staff and public
volunteers to take a dog for the day or
weekend to expose them to these elements.
It is important to understand that this is not
a pet program but a “working dog” program.
It requires strict adherence to the training
regimen, maintaining a daily journal and
taking care of the hygiene for each dog.
The carefully screened inmate handlers
must maintain exceptional behavior.
Each dog will have up to
three handlers to assist
with the work and care of the animal.
The dogs will be housed with the
inmate handlers at all times as the
trained, the dogs will return to SDA to
complete the advance training required.
This cooperative effort will signifi cantly
enhance SDA’s ability to provide
more service dogs to those in need.
In addition, the inmates will gain
experience and training as they provide
a valuable service to the community.
Staff time will need to be dedicated to the
program, but this is great opportunity to
provide inmates with meaningful work
and the potential to develop positive life
skills. The staff is united in making the
program a success and I hope you will
have an opportunity to visit JRCC and
see the program fi rst hand. If you want
to read more about the Service Dogs for
America organization, you can visit their
Mr dogs are trained basic skills. Once
web site at www.greatplainsdogs.com.
Change of Tides at YCC
than simply an expectation of having put in
one’s time, and Ron is no exception to that
rule. Ron is a careful, principled leader who
embodies the traits research suggests are
core characteristics of effective correctional
staff. The North Dakota Youth Correctional
Center has a long and proud history of
providing correctional services to troubled
youth, and Ron carries forward that tradition.
to inquire about offenders located in a North
Dakota Correctional Facility on our web site. To
get there go to our web site and on the left side
under menu options click “Family & Friends”
or “Offender Search” and then “Inmate
Lookup” or you can click on the following link:
http://www.nd.gov/docr/offenderlkup/index.asp.
Once there simply type in the last name of
p
The IT Department has released a new way
New Feature on DOCR Web site
the offender and it will bring up a list of names
that match. When you click on the name of
the person you are looking for it will show a
picture, date of birth, estimated release date
and what facility they are located at. You can
also inquire on Americas Most Wanted, FBI
Most Wanted, ND Sex Offenders and the ND
Amber Alert located under “Offender Search”.
THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 3
Inmate families
and friends often
bear most of the
cost & burden of
communication with
the offenders in the
prison system.
Electronic Email for Inmates
By: Deputy Warden Patrick Branson
Technology Overview
The term technology today is so widely
accepted that we actually have divisions
intended to separate one form from another.
We have high tech, low tech, green technology,
brown technology, space technology, hypertechnology,
nanotechnology and fi nally, we
even have the term “tech factor” to describe
the level of technology. In the tech factor scale
you would probably fi nd e-mail at the lowest
level. Let’s be real here, even our parents
have been e-mailing family and friends for
years. However, the very minute you start to
talk about e-mail for inmates the faces in the
room turn sour and the mood turns to panic.
Just for clarifi cation sake, I don’t like the term
e-mail in every application of electronic mail
in regards to inmates. The only true e-mail
application here is using kiosks for the delivery
of this technology to inmates. The
most widely used application today
is the print and scan method; the
planned application for both the
North Dakota State Penitentiary
and the James River Correctional
Center. This application does
not allow an inmate access to
a key board, computer screen
or send or receive anything
electronically. In this process
the inmate receives the mail on
printed paper and sends a response in handwritten
form on paper provided by the vendor
and scanned by staff. We do plan to use kiosks
at the Missouri River Correctional Center as
our pilot project to learn more about kiosks
and their place in our corrections environment.
Background and Security
How I got to the point of being an advocate
of electronic mail for inmates has everything
to do with my history and experience with
mail in the maximum-security setting. For
the past seven years as Deputy Warden of
Operations there was very little left to the
imagination in regards to my experience
screening mail. My offi ce shares a wall with
the facilities mail room and all the screening
takes place adjacent to me in the next offi ce
shared by two administrative services staff.
Even though my duties as administrative
oversight of this process pales in comparison
to the volume of mail screened by these two
administrative services staff, it would still
take me hours to list all the examples I could
recall of how contaminated the mail is entering
correctional facilities today. The list would
include narcotic infused pages and cards,
pages stained with body fl uids and perfumes,
powders, herbs, minerals, oils and other items
poured into envelopes and many other items;
half of which I could not remember if I tried.
It would be virtually impossible to begin
to identify the vast majority of unknown
substances sent through the mail so looking
for a totally sanitary and safe alternative is
exactly what brought us to this
technology. This was by no means
an accident. There is an old saying
in this business; “always resolve
all issues in your favor.” I am very
fortunate to serve on one National
Institute of Justice (NIJ) sponsored
advisory board (RULETC) and one
NIJ sponsored Technology Working
Group and I have a vast network of
the best technological minds in the
corrections profession today just
an e-mail away. The general consensus with
most of these technology specialists in regards
to solving most of the mail issues in corrections
today is the electronic mail systems for inmates
if applied properly. It is in our best interest to
explore our options to clean up the mail screening
process and provide safer and more secure
methods for both staff and inmates.
There are a handful of states currently
using an inmate electronic mail service
provider and equally as many other states
in the implementation process at this time.
One of the largest correctional systems in the
US, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is currently
piloting the electronic mail delivery technology in
(continued on page 4)
PAGE 4 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
(Electronic Mail for Inmates continued from page 3)
20 of their facilities. They are interested in this
technology for all the same reasons and the
goals are to cut down on the amount of paper
mail and the associated contraband that fl ows
through their prisons (LRP Publications 2008).
It is obvious this is a shared problem in the state
prison systems, as well as the federal system.
Cost and How it Works
I have addressed some of what we have to
gain with this new technology in our prisons
but is there a gain for the inmates and their
families? The fact is the inmates and their
families and friends have the most to gain.
Inmate families and friends often bear most of
the cost and burden of communication with the
offenders in the prison system. In many cases
family and friends send money to offenders
for phone calls, they always drive or travel to
the facilities for visits (many times hundreds
of miles) and they pay a minimum of 42 cents
to send in a letter through the mail. With
the new electronic mail service families and
friends can purchase 10 stamps for $3.50 (.35
per stamp), 20 stamps for $6.00
(.30 per stamp) or 40 stamps
for $10.00 (.25 per stamp). The
family or friend will also have a
much greater chance the offender
will respond back in a two-way
transaction because the return
sheet is pre programmed to go
back to the person sending the
mail. They don’t have this level of confi dence
if they send the offender money with hope
that the offender purchases US Postage and
eventually writes a letter. That money often
is spent on other items in the commissary.
As you can see, in a two-way transaction
using stamps purchased for the $10 amount
through electronic mail the family can save 34
cents. When you look at the volume of mail
some family members send these offenders
there would be a huge savings over a year.
Creating an Account and Features
The process for family and friends to sign up
for this service is simple. However, a home
or work computer would provide the most
convenience but a public access computer such
as a public library computer would work as well.
They simply go to www.jpay.com and follow
the instructions for e-mail for offenders. A
family member or friend must set up an
account in any event and, in the application
of kiosk delivery, an inmate is still restricted
because the kiosk will not give them access
to the Internet. Once an account is set up
the inmate is simply in a reactive role allowing
them to respond either by handwritten and
scanning method or responding to an e-mail
after receiving a letter on the kiosk. An offender
using a kiosk can initiate a letter to a family or
friend if the account they use has ample funds
and the only person they can write to is the
person holding the account with the service
provider. This prevents inmates from using
the electronic mail service with anyone other
than the person holding the account. The same
control exists with electronic letters delivered
through the print and scan method, as the
offender receives a blank page along with
their printed hardcopy letter with a barcode at
the top of the page. The barcode routes the
handwritten response upon scanning back to
the person holding the account
through the service provider.
Pictures can be sent for the cost
of a stamp per each picture.
This is where the home or work
computer works best because
the family or friend can send
pictures from their personal fi les.
Conclusion
The electronic mail system for offenders is a
secure system with clear benefi ts for both the
offender and the correctional agency. There are
numerous security tools built into the program
for the correctional staff. The goal with this
technology is to increase the communication
and frequency of contacts between the
offender, family and friends by reducing the
cost of mail, while providing increased security
and safety to the facility staff. This is clearly
a win-win solution to an age-old problem that
has frustrated correctional mail room staff
for years. My prediction is electronic mail
will have the same impact on corrections
as it has on society in general and stamps
will eventually become a thing of the past.
...go to
www.jpay.com
and follow the
instructions for
e-mail for offenders.
THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 5
Organizational Characteristics. All DOCR
Inmates. One Day Counts On The Last Day Of The
Month. These Numbers Use The Association Of State
Correctional Administrator (ASCA) Performance Based
Measurement Standards (PBMS) And Are Based On The
Controlling Sentence. The department is migrating to the
use of these standards.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
General Organization Information
Prisoners Housed By DOCR Institutions 1,043 1,064 1,054 1,061 1,069 1,053 1,072 1,075 1,077 1,062 1063
Prisoners Outsourced (Not In A ND DOCR Facility) 383 366 363 356 375 397 381 383 384 410 412
Total Inmates Under DOCR Responsibility 1,426 1,430 1,417 1,417 1,444 1,450 1,453 1,458 1,461 1,472 1,475
Initial Prison Sentence By Court In Years
Average Length of Sentence 5.06 5.09 5.09 5.09 5.04 5.04 5.03 5.03 5.00 5.03 4.99
Number Of Inmates In Sentence Category
Inmates Serving Less Than 1 Year 48 41 39 39 39 36 37 32 33 34 32
Inmates Serving 1 To 3 Years 795 793 788 786 814 813 826 832 842 845 840
Inmates Serving 3 To 5 Years (3.01 to 5) 274 285 279 281 276 287 276 280 271 274 276
Inmates Serving 5 To 10 Years (5.01 to 10) 155 156 157 157 156 155 155 155 156 157 161
Inmates Serving 10 To 20 Years (10.01 to 20) 72 73 72 72 74 74 74 73 73 75 76
Inmates Serving 20 To 40 Years (20.01 to 40) 31 31 31 31 32 32 32 32 33 33 33
Inmates Serving More Than 40 Years (40.01 plus) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 9
Inmates Serving Life With Parole 13 13 13 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 32
Inmates - Life Without Parole 28 28 28 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 16
Inmates - Death Sentence 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crime Distribution Statistics
Part I Violent Crime Inmates 415 431 440 438 443 443 443 445 451 457 468
Other Violent Crime Inmates 158 155 148 150 152 153 150 154 154 164 160
Property Crime Inmates 288 284 286 291 296 305 309 311 310 306 301
Drug Offense Inmates 412 409 394 381 379 373 373 375 377 374 372
Other Public Order Offense Inmates 153 151 149 157 174 176 178 172 169 171 174
Other Crime Inmates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inmate Demographics
Average Inmate Age 34.72 34.75 34.64 34.40 34.23 34.09 34.03 33.81 34.03 34.36 34/39
Male Inmates 1,279 1,283 1,264 1,269 1,294 1,289 1,290 1,296 1,299 1,314 1317
Female Inmates 147 147 153 148 150 161 163 162 162 158 158
White Inmates 944 936 930 921 943 947 958 957 964 968 969
Black Inmates 76 79 82 80 81 83 83 83 83 86 86
Native Hawaiian or Pacifi c Islander Inmates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
American/Alaskan Native Inmates 322 328 318 324 329 327 321 326 324 331 332
Hispanic Or Latino Inmates 78 82 82 86 84 86 85 85 82 79 79
Asian Inmates 2 2 2 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 4
Other Race/Ethnicity Inmates 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5
Inmates With Unknown/Missing Race/Ethnicity 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inmates Non-Citizens 11 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 10 12 11
PAGE 6 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
Like a favorite movie
rewind 20 years to when
this project fi rst started.
No one, including me
could have imagined
the impact it would have on our
community. Now fast forward 20 years
to the good part and here we are bringing
smiles and laughter to more children
then ever and we feel lucky to have been
given a role in this great motion picture.
Since the Playpen Project started, it has
been a combined involving The
Bismarck Salvation Army,
the North Penitentiary and
the Missouri Correctional Center
(MRCC). refurbish toys
for the less fortunate families in the area
by collecting used and toys from
the community and redistributing them.
This effort is a great collaboration
between the agencies. The Bismarck
Tribune furnishes advertising space
in their publication informing the
community of the needs of the program.
At the beginning of the program they
also were of their
available front of their
building until outgrew
that allotted space. that a semitrailer
was placed on the South Dan’s
Supermarket parking lot where the
public is free to drop off toys. The toys
are then picked up by the MRCC staff
and transported to the facility for repairs.
W i t h i n t h e p a s t 2 0 y e a r s over
200 inmates have worked on cleaning
and repairing the toys to be
given to
the children. The Women’s
Prison in
New England has also played
a huge
part in preparing toys for distribution.
Most of the toys sent to New
England
are dolls that require repairs and
cleaning before they can be sent out.
Once the toys are ready The Salvation
Army uses a program they developed
that allows them to meet the needs of
hundreds of families in our area that
would have a very lean Christmas with out
the possibility of utilizing this program.
The inmates at the facilities have
always been interested in working on
the Playpen Project and there is always
a long list of those wanting
to help.
They have a knack for dealing with
the toys, especially electronic ones,
as well as bikes. They also feel it is a
nice way to give back to the community
and to help give children something
that they themselves missed out on.
This program is one that benefi ts all
involved. It draws the
community and the DOCR
closer together in a
combined effort to give
a joyous Christmas to
those in need. And unlike
your favorite movie
there is no end - only sequels.
The Playpen Project Celebrates
Twenty Years of Magic
By: Keith Grabowska, Director of MRCC
t faci
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gi
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aypen Proje
mbined effort invo
Tribune, The Salvat
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Our goal is to ref
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ed space After th
THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 7
Daphne Heid, Youth
Correctional Center Math
Teacher, received word
that she has been chosen
to receive the Donald
Maley Spirit of Excellence
Outstanding Graduate
Student Citation. This
award named for Dr. Donald Maley,
founder of the Foundation for Technology
Education, recognizes excellence in
graduate level scholarship and leadership
potential. She was nominated by Don
Mugan, Professor Valley City State
College. Daphne will be recognized at
the International Technology Education
Association Annual Conference to be held
in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2009.
h d h f d f th F d ti f T h l
Spirit of Excellence at YCC
YCC Helps United Way
Donna St. Moritz, Youth Correctional
Center Director of Administrative Services,
volunteered to be YCC’s fund raising
coordinator for United Way. Her efforts
began in 2005, when she set the fi rst year’s
goal at $450.00. She exceeded this amount
by $282.00. Her 2006 goal was $769.00,
which she exceeded by $50.00. In 2007
she set the bar at $860.00 and exceeded
that by $155.00 and lastly, in 2008, she
has exceeded her goal of $1,035.00 by
well over $200.00. Most United Way fund
raising coordinators would stop at solicited
individual donations from staff, but that
money fell short of her goals. When she
sets out to complete a task or goal falling
short was not in her vocabulary. She got
creative by initiating such activities as
Casual Week, Silent Auctions, Carnation
Sales and White Elephant Sales. She
would meet her goals by whatever means
it took. As a member of the Administrative
Team at the YCC, we are proud to have
Donna as a member of our team. She
approaches every task presented to her
with that Pit Bull mentality and you can
be assured the task will be completed with
the utmost profi ciency. Her United Way
efforts are no exception. Well done Donna.
Linda Houfek, Human
Resource Director of the
DOCR Central Offi ce, retired
on November 24 after 30
years of service. (23 of that
being with the DOCR) She
fi rst started working in the
Social Services Division and then moved
to Pride Industries. A few years later she
came to the Vocational Rehabilitation
Department for several years and in 1985
moved into the position of Personnel
Offi cer at the NDSP. In 1990 she became
the Human Resource Director of the DOCR.
Congratulations Linda on your retirement!
Good-bye to a Long Time Friend
PAGE 8 THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009
DOCR Medical Department
Streamlines Into the 21st Century
Currently the DOCR
is working on a large
project called EMRS
Electronic Medical
Records System” which
is a comprehensive
o m p u t e r - b a s e d
medical records
management software
system that will be
compatible with the
DOCR’s offender
management system,
referred to as iTAG. It will create consistent
medical records and allow DOCR Medical Staff
to focus on patient care, diagnosis, treatment
and disease prevention. EMRS provides
patient records in real-time, accessible by
more than one health care provider or staff
member for the same record. The results
are lower healthcare costs while improving
the level of the quality of care. In addition,
EMRS provides staff with tools that capture
clinical data, simplify the transition to
electronic medical records, and automatically
populate medical records with pre-existing
data where appropriate, while improving
productivity without changing operational
workfl ow; and the advantages list goes on...
The EMRS is into its 18th-month of
development, which has, thus far, included:
• Defi ning our business operation and
plan;
• Completing the RFP “Request for
Proposal” and product/vendor
selection process;
• Defi ning operational applications;
• Designing additional programs;
• Building interfaces.
The testing and implementation phase
of the EMRS project is scheduled to be
completed by May 1st, 2009. So far, the
project has met all its deadlines. The goal is
to be operational by the end of the biennium.
The vender who was chosen to build the
EMRS is AssistMed, Inc. which is a USA
company that utilizes programmers from
India and Canada. The application will allow
the DOCR Medical Department to completely
function paperless. The EMRS will be utilized
by the DOCR Medical Departments providing
services to both the Division of Adult
Services and the Division of Juvenile Services
which includes male and female offenders.
The EMRS is web-based and includes:
• Comprehensive scheduling
component;
• Complete pharmacy model, dental
program, inpatient and outpatient
programs, inventory management
program; and
• Electronic physician order entry system
Some of the features offered by the
system are laboratory interfaces, ability
to store digital radiographs, and an
electronic medication delivery system.
The DOCR Medical Department and
Information Technology Director, David
Huhncke, has been involved in this lengthy
process of implementing the EMRS project;
and their effort is greatly appreciated. DOCR
staff are gratifi ed that the selected system
continues to
live up to their
expectations. It is
also realized that
much work is still
ahead pending
d e v e l o p m e n t
completion and
implementation
of the EMRS
p r o j e c t .
By: Kathy Bachmeier, Director of Medical Services
CCi
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THE INSIDER JANUARY 2009 PAGE 9
In a ramshackle dwelling somewhere in
Nicaragua, a mother with her toddler
smiles gratefully. Her baby boy will be
warm in a soft, new blanket a gift from
the mission team. In St. Petersburg,
Russia an orphaned little girl treasures
her very own cap. Boys at the orphanage
received their own crocheted hacky sacks.
Meanwhile here in the U.S. a young mother
runs a hand over the soft, crocheted burial
garment adorning her stillborn baby, “a gift
from a prison in the Dakotas” so she’s told.
Orphans in Lithuania, newborns in Africa,
inner-city kids in the US, and a sitting
United States President share a common
thread, each have been encouraged by an
inmate crochet program now in its fi fth
year at James River Correctional Center.
One unique feature about the program is
it is entirely male. One inmate’s request
for yarn with which to learn crochet got
the ball rolling and within one month
over a dozen men had learned and begun
making many of the items listed above.
Donations of yarn also came, and quickly.
With-in days of the initial inmate’s request,
Crocheting a Little Something...
(Turns Out To Be a Big Something)
By: JRCC Chaplain Mark W. Haines M. Div BCC
seemingly out of nowhere, women from a
rural North Dakota church asked Chaplain
if he could use a box of yarn, and would
his inmates consider crafting baby caps for
African newborns. This project continues
even today. Other outreaches have included
clothes for Kosovo (delivered by missionaries
in Norway), pink scarves for cancer
survivors through “hands to hearts” and fl ag
blankets for the families of fallen soldiers.
These outreaches are only possible
here at JRCC due to the forward and
creative thinking of Unit Manager Stewart
Baumgartner and Security Chief Kevin
Arthaud. Their patience and foresight
deserve mention…as do the hundreds of
inmates who, by working with the Chaplain,
fi gured out how to give something back.
A side note: Inspired by the good works
of our inmates, and sensing God’s hand in
that work, the American missionaries who
delivered the baby blankets to Nicaragua
contacted us soon after their return home.
Their next trip to Nicaragua would be to that
country’s prisons… to encourage the captives
with song, and to teach them how to crochet.
The Insider Newsletter is an offi cial publication of
the North Dakota Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation, and is published four times each year.
Its goal is to enhance communication and keep staff,
and all those interested, informed of developments
and achievements throughout the Department.
All employees are encouraged to submit articles,
letters, comments, and ideas for future issues of
The Insider to be considered in the next publication.
offificial A Message From The Editor
The Editor reserves the right to edit or exclude,
if deemed inappropriate, any items submitted
for publication. Please e-mail articles to:
Editor: Michelle Linster
E-mail: mlinster@nd.gov
Phone: (701) 328-6362
ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
PO Box 1898
Bismarck, ND 58502-1898
North Dakota Department of
Corrections & Rehabilitation
3100 Railroad Avenue
P.O. Box 1898
Bismarck, ND 58502-1898
Phone: (701) 328-6390
Fax: (701) 328-6651
www.nd.gov/docr/
Email: mlinster@nd.gov
Offi cial Mail
State of North Dakota
January 4-5
February 8-9
March 8-9
April 5-6
May 3-4
May 31 - June 1 (June PB)
June 28-29 (July PB)
August 2-3
August 30-31 (September PB)
October 4-5
November 8-9
December 6-7
April 7 November 10
Parole Board Meeting
Dates for 2009
Pardon Advisory
Board Dates for 2009
Our mission is…
To enhance public safety, to reduce the risk of
future criminal behavior by holding adult and juvenile
offenders accountable, and to provide opportunities
for change.
Pardon Advisory Board Members are appointed
by the Governor for an open ended term to include
the attorney general, two members of the parole
board, and 2 citizens/residents of the state. The
Pardon Board Members are listed as follows:
Members Location
Duane Dekrey, Chairman Pettibone
Craig Smith Bismarck
Wayne Stenehjem Bismarck
Beverley Adams Fargo
Everett Nels Olson Minot
Parole Board Members are appointed by
the Governor for a three-year term. The
Parole Board Members are listed as follows:
Members Location
John Olson, Chairman Bismarck
Dr. Richard Davison Bismarck
Everett Nels Olson Minot
Budd Warren Fargo
Beverley Adams Fargo
Vacant
Parole Board
Members
Pardon Advisory
Board Members
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Medicaid Fraud Grant
NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2009
Contacts: Brendan Joyce, Administrator of Pharmacy Services - Medical Services Division, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4023, or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4933
ND receives $67K in Medicaid fraud settlement
BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Human Services received $67,723 for its share of a $425 million settlement reached between the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, the federal government, and pharmaceutical manufacturer Cephalon, Inc. The pharmaceutical manufacturer is paying $375 million in damages and penalties for Medicaid and other federal health care programs, and $50 million as part of a plea agreement related to an alleged misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The nationwide federal and state settlement resolves allegations that the drug manufacturer promoted the drugs Provigil, Gabitril, and Actiq for uses other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. Cephalon also funded continuing medical education programs, through millions of dollars in grants, to promote off-label uses of these drugs.
The FDA approved Provigil to treat narcolepsy and sleep disorders and approved Gabitril as a partial treatment for seizures. Actiq is FDA-approved to treat cancer patients for whom morphine-based painkillers are no longer effective. Cephalon inappropriately marketed these medications for other conditions and purposes.
The settlement reimburses the federal government and participating states for excessive amounts paid by the Medicaid program as a result of the company’s improper marketing campaign. In addition, Cephalon entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, requiring strict scrutiny of its future marketing and sales practices.
A team from the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units represented the interests of states during negotiations with the company.
# # #
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2009
Contacts: Brendan Joyce, Administrator of Pharmacy Services - Medical Services Division, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4023, or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4933
ND receives $67K in Medicaid fraud settlement
BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Human Services received $67,723 for its share of a $425 million settlement reached between the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, the federal government, and pharmaceutical manufacturer Cephalon, Inc. The pharmaceutical manufacturer is paying $375 million in damages and penalties for Medicaid and other federal health care programs, and $50 million as part of a plea agreement related to an alleged misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The nationwide federal and state settlement resolves allegations that the drug manufacturer promoted the drugs Provigil, Gabitril, and Actiq for uses other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. Cephalon also funded continuing medical education programs, through millions of dollars in grants, to promote off-label uses of these drugs.
The FDA approved Provigil to treat narcolepsy and sleep disorders and approved Gabitril as a partial treatment for seizures. Actiq is FDA-approved to treat cancer patients for whom morphine-based painkillers are no longer effective. Cephalon inappropriately marketed these medications for other conditions and purposes.
The settlement reimburses the federal government and participating states for excessive amounts paid by the Medicaid program as a result of the company’s improper marketing campaign. In addition, Cephalon entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, requiring strict scrutiny of its future marketing and sales practices.
A team from the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units represented the interests of states during negotiations with the company.
# # #
Friday, January 2, 2009
North Dakota Catholic Conference
Here it Comes . . .
The 61st Session of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly starts next week. Over 300 bills have already been pre-filed. The session kicks off Tuesday with formalities and the Governor's State of the State Address.
Your Resources
If you have signed up for the Legislative Action Network, you should soon receive a six-page guide to the North Dakota legislature and citizen involvement. The guide is also available online.
LAN members will also soon receive a directory of state and federal elected officials and committee assignments. You can also get this online as soon as it is available.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference e-newsletter will arrive at least weekly once the session is underway.
Additional information and developments will be posted on the News and Updates page of the North Dakota Catholic Conference website. You can subscribe to the page's RSS feed at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/NorthDakotaCatholicConference or http://ndcatholic.org/2/files/2.xml.
Sign-up Cards
The North Dakota Catholic Conference has convenient sign-up cards for joining the Legislative Action Network. Give them to friends, church group members, RCIA groups, or order some for your parish. Just contact the conference to order a set of cards. They're free!
Website Changes
The North Dakota Catholic Conference website has undergone some changes, including new and easier to use features. Be sure to check it out.
Fight FOCA Campaign
There is an unprecedented move to remove basic mainstream restrictions on abortion and to eliminate rights of conscience and religious liberty. These efforts are part of the "Freedom of Choice Act" and related proposals. During the next couple of months, churches and organizations will be mobilizing to stop FOCA and any other assault on human life and religious liberty. The Catholic effort will primarily be coordinated out of the diocesan offices. Stay tuned for more information and take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference.
Fight Human Trafficking
The North Dakota Catholic Conference has made passage of legislation against human trafficking a priority for the legislative session. To learn more about human trafficking, see our website and the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Recent Postings on the News and Updates Page
The Pro-Life Majority
WASHINGTON—A nationwide survey commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has found that four out of five U.S. adults (82 percent) think abortion should either be illegal under all circumstances (11 percent) or would limit its legality. Read more…
The Slave Next Door
Several newspapers around the state are running an Associated Press story about child slave labor in the United States. The North Dakota Catholic Conference is working with others to get new state laws against human trafficking. Read more…
New Anti-Trafficking Measure Becomes Law
Bishops Migration Committee Chairman Lauds Enactment of Anti-Trafficking Legislation ...Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, today hailed the enactment of H.R. 7311, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA). Passed by Congress on December 10, the legislation was signed by President Bush on Tuesday, December 23, at the White House. Read more…
Bishops Welcome Regulation Protecting Conscience
WASHINGTON — A final regulation protecting health care providers’ conscience rights was issued December 18 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The U.S. Catholic bishops’ spokesperson on abortion, Deirdre A. McQuade, welcomed the published regulation as a way to protect medical personnel from being coerced to violate their consciences in federally funded programs. The regulation clarifies and implements existing federal statutes enacted by Congress in 1973, 1996 and 2004. Read more…
This e-newsletter was sent by the North Dakota Catholic Conference, 103 South Third Street, Suite 10, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501. 701-223-2519; 1-888-419-1237. http://ndcatholic.org
To be removed from this list, make request to ndcatholic@btinet.net.
© 2009 North Dakota Catholic Conference
The 61st Session of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly starts next week. Over 300 bills have already been pre-filed. The session kicks off Tuesday with formalities and the Governor's State of the State Address.
Your Resources
If you have signed up for the Legislative Action Network, you should soon receive a six-page guide to the North Dakota legislature and citizen involvement. The guide is also available online.
LAN members will also soon receive a directory of state and federal elected officials and committee assignments. You can also get this online as soon as it is available.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference e-newsletter will arrive at least weekly once the session is underway.
Additional information and developments will be posted on the News and Updates page of the North Dakota Catholic Conference website. You can subscribe to the page's RSS feed at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/NorthDakotaCatholicConference or http://ndcatholic.org/2/files/2.xml.
Sign-up Cards
The North Dakota Catholic Conference has convenient sign-up cards for joining the Legislative Action Network. Give them to friends, church group members, RCIA groups, or order some for your parish. Just contact the conference to order a set of cards. They're free!
Website Changes
The North Dakota Catholic Conference website has undergone some changes, including new and easier to use features. Be sure to check it out.
Fight FOCA Campaign
There is an unprecedented move to remove basic mainstream restrictions on abortion and to eliminate rights of conscience and religious liberty. These efforts are part of the "Freedom of Choice Act" and related proposals. During the next couple of months, churches and organizations will be mobilizing to stop FOCA and any other assault on human life and religious liberty. The Catholic effort will primarily be coordinated out of the diocesan offices. Stay tuned for more information and take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference.
Fight Human Trafficking
The North Dakota Catholic Conference has made passage of legislation against human trafficking a priority for the legislative session. To learn more about human trafficking, see our website and the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Recent Postings on the News and Updates Page
The Pro-Life Majority
WASHINGTON—A nationwide survey commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has found that four out of five U.S. adults (82 percent) think abortion should either be illegal under all circumstances (11 percent) or would limit its legality. Read more…
The Slave Next Door
Several newspapers around the state are running an Associated Press story about child slave labor in the United States. The North Dakota Catholic Conference is working with others to get new state laws against human trafficking. Read more…
New Anti-Trafficking Measure Becomes Law
Bishops Migration Committee Chairman Lauds Enactment of Anti-Trafficking Legislation ...Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, today hailed the enactment of H.R. 7311, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA). Passed by Congress on December 10, the legislation was signed by President Bush on Tuesday, December 23, at the White House. Read more…
Bishops Welcome Regulation Protecting Conscience
WASHINGTON — A final regulation protecting health care providers’ conscience rights was issued December 18 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The U.S. Catholic bishops’ spokesperson on abortion, Deirdre A. McQuade, welcomed the published regulation as a way to protect medical personnel from being coerced to violate their consciences in federally funded programs. The regulation clarifies and implements existing federal statutes enacted by Congress in 1973, 1996 and 2004. Read more…
This e-newsletter was sent by the North Dakota Catholic Conference, 103 South Third Street, Suite 10, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501. 701-223-2519; 1-888-419-1237. http://ndcatholic.org
To be removed from this list, make request to ndcatholic@btinet.net.
© 2009 North Dakota Catholic Conference
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Governor Hoeven to Deliver State of the State Address
NEWS
MEDIA ADVISORY
December 30, 2008
Contact: Don Canton or Jody Link
701.328.2200
HOEVEN TO DELIVER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven will deliver the State of the State Address to a joint session of the 61st North Dakota Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, January 6 in the House Chamber of the State Capitol in Bismarck. The joint session will convene at 1 p.m.
Members of the media are asked to wear a name badge to ensure admittance into the House Chamber. For information regarding setup for electronic media, including live coverage, please contact Jody Link at (701) 328-2203.
The Governor’s address will be webcast live over the Internet at www.governor.nd.gov.
- ### -
MEDIA ADVISORY
December 30, 2008
Contact: Don Canton or Jody Link
701.328.2200
HOEVEN TO DELIVER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven will deliver the State of the State Address to a joint session of the 61st North Dakota Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, January 6 in the House Chamber of the State Capitol in Bismarck. The joint session will convene at 1 p.m.
Members of the media are asked to wear a name badge to ensure admittance into the House Chamber. For information regarding setup for electronic media, including live coverage, please contact Jody Link at (701) 328-2203.
The Governor’s address will be webcast live over the Internet at www.governor.nd.gov.
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