Second Town Hall of 2010 Makes Company History, Highlights Goals, Successes

For the first time ever, on Friday, May 21, 2010, CCA’s Town Hall meeting was not held at the Facility Support Center, but at a facility – CCA’s Silverdale Detention Facility in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Louise Grant, CCA vice president, Communications opened the meeting by stating that the pride, ownership and professionalism Silverdale’s staff exemplifies is indicative of employees across the company.

CCA President and CEO Damon Hininger recognized staff in Oklahoma and Tennessee who were affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding, mentioning that no employees were hurt or seriously injured but some have completely lost their homes, while others have suffered varying levels of property damage.

Hininger went on to underscore the importance of contributing to CCAssist. “Any contribution would be very helpful and very meaningful,” he said, adding that staff who have received assistance through the fund are extremely grateful.

Hininger then turned over the floor to CCA Vice President, Operations (Business Unit III) Steve Conry, who thanked Hininger and the executive staff for choosing to broadcast the Town Hall from Silverdale, adding that the 25-year-old facility possesses a rich history as CCA’s first local contract.

Spotlight on Silverdale

Paul Jennings, warden at Sliverdale, provided background information on the facility’s locale and pointed out the fact that many CCA employees started their careers at Silverdale, including CCA Vice President, Operations (Business Unit I) Jimmy Turner, CCA Vice President, Inmate Programs Dennis Bradby and others. Former Warden Michael Samberg also served at Silverdale.

Additionally, Jennings took time to recognize Silverdale correctional officer Ethel Jones, one of the facility’s founding employees. Jones joined Silverdale in 1979 when it was still operated by Hamilton County; CCA took over operation in 1994.

Jennings emphasized the fact that no one expected Silverdale to attain ACA accreditation, which was awarded in January 2009. He thanked everyone who helps to make Silverdale an outstanding facility.

Quarterly Investor Call

Hininger provided an overview of the recent investor call, which reported CCA’s first quarter earnings. He said earnings per share (EPS) were at 30 cents, revenues increased 2.7 percent and EBITDA was down.

“The market reacted with no concerns,” Hininger said. “There were no surprises. Everybody in the marketplace has a good understanding of the continuing challenges our partners have.”

Hininger encouraged employees to view a recent feature on National Correctional Officers and Employees Week on InsideCCA.com. He then turned over the floor to CCA Executive Vice President and Chief Corrections Officer Rick Seiter.

Seiter reiterated the importance of the Town Hall as the first to be broadcast from a facility and echoed Jennings’ statement that many said Silverdale would never be accredited. “Warden Jennings and his team were able to accomplish that and it is a tremendously significant accomplishment,” Seiter said.

Honoring Staff

Seiter discussed CCA’s vision to be the best full service adult corrections system in the United States. He said, “We may be there but we know it’s a journey, not a destination. And we couldn’t accomplish it without great staff.”

Seiter added that it takes strong will, commitment and dedication to provide a controlled correctional environment and help offenders become successful, law-abiding citizens. “Thank you,” he said. “You are the heart and soul of this company.”

Employees at Hardeman County Correctional Center and Winn Correctional Center were then spotlighted for their exemplary work.

First, at Hardeman, Warden Joe Easterling recognized correctional officer Reuben Meyer, whose home was severely damaged by the recent floods. Meyer managed to escape his flooded home with his uniform and reported to work on time the following day. Meyer knew other flood victims would be unable to come to work, and he wanted to relieve staff who would otherwise have to work past their shift to compensate for co-workers’ absences. Meyer’s house is currently being repaired.

At Winn, Warden Tim Wilkinson spotlighted K-9 officer Bobby Toler, who’s been with the facility for 12 years. His 11-year-old K-9 partner joined the facility in 2005 and together, they have had 86 finds, assisted schools with narcotics searches, and taken home awards at K-9 trials.

Grant encouraged any employee with a similar story to share it by sounding out here. Hininger thanked the wardens for sharing their stories.

CCAGo - Our Strategic Goals

“Planning is essential in both our personal and professional lives,” Hininger said, adding that it’s important to make sure everyone in the organization is aligned with the CCAGo goals and our plan for achieving them.

Grant then introduced six facilities that would discuss how they are helping to fulfill one of the six goals.

1. Create Shareholder Value

Like other Division I facilities, La Palma Correctional Facility has a quarterly meeting with department heads and business managers to share ideas and best practices, and to discuss monthly turnover. This meeting ensures that everyone knows the budget of their own area.

“Turnover is more than an HR problem,” said Jim Schomig, warden at La Palma. “It’s a morale problem and a financial burden.”

Additionally, whenever a job applicant comes to La Palma for an interview, the interview is held in the area where that candidate would be working. This method helps to reduce turnover by allowing candidates to get a feel for the work environment before deciding to join CCA.

Additionally, Schomig says the facility reduces cost by sharing cable expenses and using a graywater system to conserve water.

2. Build Correctional Partnerships

At McRae Correctional Facility, Warden Walt Wells discussed the facility’s relationship with its community relations board.

“Your community relations board can make or break you,” he said. “If they want you here, they can keep you here.”

The facility has taken community relations a step beyond the quarterly meetings by inviting members to staff recalls and facility events, including graduations, picnics and more. McRae employees have given back to the community by helping with a refurbishing project, participating in Relay for Life and other efforts.

“It shows the value of partnership,” Wells said. “We try to enhance our partnership whenever we can; the more we enhance it, the better off we are - it’s a win-win situation.”

3. Right People in the Right Place

At Wilkinson County Correctional Facility, Warden Jackie Banks introduced Marcharie Chambliss, the facility’s business manager, who discussed staff development and retention through the facility’s “Positivity Model.” The model states:

• Positive thinking + positive environment yield positive employees,
• Positive employees + staff development yield positive production,
• Positive production yields a positive outcome,
• Positive outcome yields positive results,
• Positive results yield a strong, viable operation

Chambliss outlined seven action steps for the model, including the tier one and tier two hiring process: “hiring the right people for the right jobs at the right time.”

4. Develop Best in Class Leaders

At Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility, Warden Brian Koehn talked about the frustration numerous staff members felt after interviewing for FMSP positions and not being selected for them.

In response, the facility started a career counseling committee, which coordinates quarterly training sessions to enhance employees interviewing skills, resume-writing skills and more. The sessions offer mock interviews in which questions are tailored to the specific position each individual employee is seeking. Both the mock interviewer and interviewee receive an evaluation and have the opportunity to watch their mock interview on tape. All staff are eligible to sign up for the training.

“The first training was done in the first quarter,” Koehn said. “We’re still refining it and employees can take it quarterly as many times as they’d like.”

5. Deliver Operational Excellence

Tracie Everett, chief of unit management at Houston Processing Center, highlighted the fact that the facility has zero deficiencies with its partner, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Here at HPC, we perform as a team,” Everett said.

“We’re very proud of our accomplishments, here, at Houston Processing Center and we look forward to representing CCA to the highest standards,” said Houston Processing Center warden Robert Lacy, Jr.

6. Optimize Existing Beds Inventory

Barry Goodrich, warden at Coffee Correctional Facility and Ralph Kemp, warden at Wheeler Correctional Facility, discussed their facilities’ expansions. They worked together to ensure that the expansions were handled similarly.

The wardens gave kudos to staff from Hernando County Jail, Lake City Correctional Facility, Marion County Jail II, Citrus County Detention Facility, and others who helped install bunks. Inmates also assisted with the expansions. Through these efforts, they are able to readily offer available beds to their state partner.

Special Incentive Bonus

CCA Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Collins discussed the special incentive bonus, which was given to employees earlier this year. Collins said that due to our partners’ struggles, it is uncertain whether employees will receive these bonuses in 2011.

“I will monitor the situation, keeping in mind what our partners are going through,” he said. “We will be truthful once we find out and will communicate it to you.”

Updates on New Opportunities

Hininger said that both Wheeler and Coffee have had great representation and support for their expansions, and mentioned that interviews are underway at CCA’s newest facilities, Moore Haven Correctional Facility and Graceville Correctional Facility. He added that Nevada Southern Detention Center is well on its way to completion, with plans to open near the end of this year.

Recognizing Facilities’ Efforts

Hininger recognized three facilities: Gadsden Correctional Facility, Diamondback Correctional Facility and Hernando County Jail, which are currently ramping down.

“We’re confident we’ll be back in three years,” said Shawn Gills, acting warden at Gadsden. “We couldn’t be more proud of our staff.”

Diamondback Correctional Facility plans to hold a luau farewell celebration for staff. “Our staff will leave with a sense of achievement,” said Bob Kurtz, warden at Diamondback.

At Hernando County Jail, warden Rusty Washburn, also applauded his staff. “We’re proud of our staff and their personal and professional accomplishments,” he said.

Hininger commended employees at each facility. “We’re very appreciative of your strong level of commitment through this challenging time.”

Write-in Question

Grant read a question submitted by an employee in advance of the meeting: “In what range does our profit need to be in order to expect a merit increase going forward?” Hininger explained, “It’s not about looking at a level of profit, but other factors.”

Hininger said that instead of focusing on profit, we have to ask, “Are we growing in a meaningful way?” Currently, he said, our growth is flat.

Secondly, he said it’s important to ask, “How quickly and regularly are we receiving payments from partners?”

“Remember, when we have profit, it’s turned around to fund our operations, including preventative maintenance, new opportunities and new construction projects,” Hininger explained. “The cash we receive through financial performance helps us pay our light bills and utilities and gives us adequate cash flow to fund our operations on a regular basis.”

Hininger closed the meeting by thanking Jennings and the IT staff who helped to make the teleconference possible.

By DeAndra Mack

Sound Out

T. Vernon at Californa city:

Are we hear at CCA in cal city going to be able to get are jobs back if or when we open back up ?