Five employees at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center (CBCC) and eight at the Olympic Corrections Center (OCC) have won Department of Corrections Annual Agency Awards.
The awards recognize employees for their continuous work to improve public safety by positively changing lives. Each year, staff members are nominated for the awards by their colleagues.
A total of 169 DOC employees received agency awards out of a pool of 930 nominations.
“Each award recipient serves as a role model for their dedication and service to the department,” said Stephen Sinclair, Secretary of the Department of Corrections.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to recognize our employees who go above and beyond to keep our communities and facilities safe.”
Because of the governor’s stay-home order in response to the COVID-19, the department has postponed its regular Agency Awards ceremony, normally held in April. Instead, employees will be recognized in a formal ceremony at a later date, corrections representatives said this week.
Clallam Bay Corrections Center on the Olympic Peninsula is a medium, close and maximum custody-level prison that houses 858 male inmates.
Olympic Corrections Center in Forks is a minimum custody-level prison that houses 381 male inmates.
The following awards were given to CBCC staff:
• Petrine Marciniak Inspirational Award: Corrections officer Leslie Bylerk
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Correctional officer Laura Mabrey
• Team Excellence (Incident Management Team) awards: Associate Superintendent Lori Lawson and corrections specialists Denise O’Hara and Kaci Thomas
The following Awards were given to OCC Staff:
• Petrine Marciniak Inspirational Award: Correctional officer Bradly Cartensen
• Leadership: Correctional Program Manager Scott Speer
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Correctional officer Richard Schultz
• Outstanding Performer and Team Excellence (Incident Management Team):Corrections specialist Marc Thomas
• Excellence in Service: Correctional Unit Supervisor Michelle Klepps
• Excellence in Service: Recreation/athletics specialist Vakle Mafi
Find more information about the awards at www.doc.wa.gov/about/employees/awards.htm.
Award descriptions
• Petrine Marciniak Inspirational Award
Presented to an employee who was confronted with a life-threatening situation, used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome it, this award honors those who continually demonstrate an exceptionally high standard of professionalism and dedication on the job. He or she serves as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others in similar situations. The award is named after Petrine Marcinak-Carlson, a former community corrections supervisor who died in 1995 from breast cancer.
• Correctional Officer/Community Corrections Officer of the Year
Presented to an officer whose performance goes above and beyond normal requirements and who demonstrates their commitment to the department’s goals and mission, this award fetes an officer who maintains a positive attitude, provides sound decision making and a strong commitment to teamwork. He or she is an effective communicator, treating others with dignity, fairness and respect, is a positive role model, and maintains professionalism at all times.
• Team Excellence
Presented to a group of employees for incomparable teamwork, this award recognizes team members who have outstanding performance results due to group achievement and promote the spirit of working together. They are recognized for superior work ethic and reinforcing the collaboration and partnership necessary to achieve agency goals.
• Excellence in Service
This award is presented to an employee who values the importance of building and maintaining relationships, both internally and externally, and conducts business in a professional manner. They demonstrate open, honest, effective communication skills by being inclusive and embraces diversity and respect.
• Leadership
Presented to an employee who exhibits exceptional leadership qualities and provides a clear vision of what success looks like and how to achieve it, the award honors employees who strive for a safe and healthy environment for staff and/or individuals. They provide optimism and demonstrate integrity and have the ambition to succeed with the courage to take actions as needed, understands the importance of delegating to promote employee growth and motivate the workforce, and is seen as a reliable leader.
• Outstanding Performer
This award is presented to an employee who consistently exhibits superior job performance and displays a strong work ethic. The employee excels in their position and is detail oriented, self-disciplined, and not afraid to take initiative. They play a vital role in contributing to a safe and supportive work environment, and they go above and beyond by participating on committees or workgroups.
Team Excellence (Incident Management Team): Timothy Hull, Correctional Officer
Team Excellence (Incident Management Team): Tonya Pleines, Corrections Specialist
