Facility Spotlight: Saguaro Correctional Center
Eloy, Arizona
On any given day from March to October, you will find the non-uniformed staff at Saguaro Correctional Center trying to outdo each other with brightly colored Hawaiian shirts. This is all part of the facility's efforts to embrace Hawaiian culture since Saguaro partners with the State of Hawaii.
The facility engages inmates through traditional Hawaiian holidays and celebrations, such as Prince Kuhio Day and King Kamehameha Day, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of Makahiki. Warden Todd Thomas does his best to make sure that employees have the opportunity to participate in these events, which helps foster a respect between inmates and employees.
"The administrative staff believes that engagement happens from the top down, so we walk the campus several times a day and lend a hand where needed," he says.
Appreciation is a language we all understand, and this facility is no exception. Cookouts, snacks, tokens and recognition for daily successes are commonplace and part of the team culture.
Saguaro is plugged in to its local community as well. Employees participate in numerous organizations in Pinal County, including the Chamber of Commerce, March of Dimes, CASA, Relay for Life, Concerns of Police Survivors Foundation, and Pinal County Peace Officer's Memorial. They also participate in activities like the rotary club and highway clean-up efforts.
The facility is located between Tucson and Phoenix on a 500-acre footprint that it shares with Eloy Detention Center, La Palma Correctional Center and Red Rock Correctional Center. The name Saguaro was chosen due to the number of saguaro cacti in the area.
January 23, 2013