Corrections MDP group begins yearlong grind

(CENTERVILLE, Utah) - Following a one-year hiatus for retooling, the MTC Corrections Management Development Program (MDP) is back - bigger and better than ever. A dozen MDP candidates received their first look at the year-long education schedule that awaits them, during an orientation session, January 24-28, 2005 at the corporate headquarters in Centerville, Utah.

“MTC's future lies with these people,” said Corrections Sr. Vice President Ron Russell. “They have already proven themselves to be very valuable staff. Now it's up to us to properly train them to become even stronger. This is another important way MTC demonstrates its dedication to employees.”

The 12 managers participating in this year's MDP program represent eight of the correctional facilities under MTC management. And they face a more rigorous challenge than the last MDP group to go through, in 2002.

“We've added three new TARs (Training Achievement Records) to the curriculum,” said Organizational Development Director Scott Kimball. “So now the program is a full year long rather than nine months. Our primary focus is on two fundamental questions: What does MTC need to succeed and achieve results? and What does your facility staff need in order to succeed?”

Corrections MDP candidates will spend the year reading two management and leadership books, performing monthly tasks and undergoing several assessments or evaluations.

One program developed by MTC Corporate University is called the 360-degree assessment. In this evaluation, MDP candidates are reviewed by: their supervisor, their peers, their direct subordinates and themselves. Kimball added, “We want them to learn how their skills are perceived by those above, beside, below and within them.”

MTC Corrections Programming Vice President Hartzel Black adds, “MDP training represents the first time we really emphasize teaching our employees 'the big picture.' At this point in their MTC career it's critical they begin to understand all the facets of their operation.”

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