“I absolutely love my staff here at the East Texas Treatment Facility,” says Warden Bernadette Rodriguez. “You see smiles everywhere, which changes the mindset of everybody from the client population to the staff population.” As part of the continuing effort to maintain and improve morale, much of the focus at the East Texas Treatment Facility … Continued

After a long day in class, Job Corps students need a little break. Students say recreational activities really help. Playing pool, cards, exercising, and many other activities are available. They also go off-center for activities. All Job Corps centers offer recreation where students can have fun and balance their lives. Los Angeles Job Corps Recreation … Continued

“Cognitive Life Skills. If you apply it, it works,” says Alonzo Ingram, a resident of the Bradshaw State Jail in Henderson, Texas. The facility offers a Cognitive Life Skills class for residents. “The Life Skills class is not religiously based,” says Warden Jerry Rayford. “It’s not based on any type of faith. It’s based upon … Continued

Jessica Ferraro has a natural way with the students at the MTC-operated Edison Job Corps Center. She gets it. Jessica was once a Job Corps student herself. “I know what it’s like to struggle and not have anybody supporting you,” she says. “I felt like being able to be an example and role model was … Continued

A recent initiative to examine and improve the health of the environment at all MTC facilities is taking root – literally. “We’ve added as much greenery as we can,” says Bill DeRevere, facility director of the MTC-operated Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California. “The plants up and down the hallways and inside the housing … Continued

The Aloe Restaurant in Edison, New Jersey, is not your typical eatery. It’s a restaurant and school in one.  Chef Ralph Amiano is the instructor. “I work with great people, and the students inspire me daily,” he says. For Ralph, cooking is in his blood. “It brings people together, as I say. When I grew … Continued

At Atterbury Job Corps Center in Edinburgh, Indiana, students and facility leadership recently gathered for a meeting with corporate MTC staff. Why have this meeting if it’s not for a graduation, groundbreaking, or unveiling? Because simply, it’s about MTC leaders genuinely caring about the work we do. Senior Vice President of Education & Training Jeff … Continued

“Lives Transformed”…that’s the name of the work MTC does in North Dakota. “This issue, substance-use issues, they are a community problem,” says Heather Howe, group facilitator at Lives Transformed North Dakota. “They are community issues. And it needs to be dealt with together.” MTC partners with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to … Continued

“But definitely if you feel like you’ve been in a situation where life isn’t giving you the best cards and you just really want to hit the ground running and pursue something as far as a passion, or become more social, or in just general want to see a change in your life, come to … Continued

“I worked in a lot of different jobs, mostly in law enforcement, but being completely honest, this is probably the best place I’ve ever worked in my life.” Elizabeth Lapos is the training manager at the Willacy County State Jail in Raymondville, Texas. From Minnesota, she worked in corrections for many years, moving to Raymondville … Continued