CTF Staff Spend the Night
Snowstorm keeps employees on shift at Correctional Treatment Facility
You may have heard about the heavy snowfall that hit Washington, D.C. earlier this month, but you may not know about the sacrifices employees at CCA’s Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) made in order to keep the facility running.
“During the weekend of February 5-7 the D.C. area received between two to three feet of snowfall,” says Walter Fulton, III, assistant warden and public information officer at CTF. “This snow, combined with residual snows from December, made this the most snow in a year for Washington since snowfall has been recorded.”
The storm left many employees snowed in at their homes and as a result, about 15 staff members spent a night at the facility to replace those who couldn’t get to work.
Cassandra Alexander, correctional officer at CTF, was one of those employees.
“I just knew that once I reported to work I was going to be stuck for one or two days, maybe more,” Alexander says.
Belinda McClanahan, correctional officer at CTF, also anticipated staying past her shift, and was prepared to take on the additional responsibility.
“I’m a team player and having worked at a hotel before, I realize the corrections industry is just one of those industries that never closes,” McClanahan says. “Duty called and I stayed.”
Staff immediately took measures to ensure that loved ones knew their whereabouts and were also safe. For employees like Audrey Davis, CTF correctional officer, having pets made for a challenging situation.
“I was a little concerned because I have two small dogs at home,” Davis says. “Fortunately, I was able to obtain a ride on my own, which meant I could care for my dogs and still serve at the facility.”
Having children at home also posed concerns but for McClanahan – a mother of two – there was fortunately no cause for alarm.
“I’m a single parent with very independent children,” McClanahan says. “I felt fine as long as their necessities were provided and they were comfortable and safe – and that was confirmed by a single phone call.”
Davis says staying at work overnight was an adventure that called for some innovative planning, including makeshift bedding accommodations.
“Aside from the unfamiliar sleeping arrangements – in the training room, library and chapel - and my co-workers snoring, I can’t complain,” Davis adds. “We understood that it’s a correctional facility and these were special circumstances.”
With a limited number of available employees, work was demanding but the staff pulled together to produce outstanding results.
“It was like being at home tending to my own children,” says Cherylene Lancaster, correctional officer at CTF. “I say that because everyone needed something around the clock, and I guess you could say I was the go-to person. I loved every minute of it; my co-workers and I were elated to see things go so well.”
Once weather conditions cleared enough for employees to travel again, the long-awaited shift change arrived and a new sense of relief set in.
“It was just like Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz - there’s no place like home!” says McClanahan. “Even though my kids are older – ages 19 and 17 – it was a joy to just drop on the sofa and chat with them and take off my boots.”
The change of pace, employees say, was a welcome opportunity for rest and rejuvenation.
“Going home was so refreshing,” says Daniel Aryee, correctional officer at CTF. “It felt like I had been away for weeks.”
“It felt so wonderful to go take my uniform off, take a shower and get in my own bed,” Alexander says. “It was a very tiresome experience.”
By DeAndra Mack
Sound Out
G. Holcomb at BCCF:
Everyone's contribution to that circumstance is an outstanding example of the teamwork needed to perform daily job functions. KUDOS to all!!
Linda Sevison at Idaho Correctional Center:
That is the ultimate in teamwork. How many people would be willing to spend the night at their workplace? These individuals show a strong commitment and dedication to CCA and to their coworkers. My hat's off to them!