|
 Sharing Our Stake in Maryland's Public Safety | October 2011 |
The Public Safety Stakeholder
 An E-publication of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for our Criminal Justice and Community Partners |
|
|
|
Did You See Us
In The News?
Recent sightings of our public safety efforts in your local media are updated daily on the DPSCS homepage
Recent headlines:
|
|
Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube
There are more ways than ever to find up-to-date information about DPSCS initiatives, happenings and news. Like us on  , follow us on  and view videos and photos on  and  .
|
|
DPSCS' mission is to protect the public, our employees and those under our supervision.
Governor Martin O'Malley Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown
DPSCS Secretary Gary D. Maynard |
|
 | |
DPSCS and elected officials dedicate new inmate-built brick signs in Sykesville |
|
 | keeping communities safe |
|
Criminal Justice Dashboard Recognized Nationally for Innovation
Twice during the month of October staff from the Information, Technology and Communications Division (ITCD) has been recognized for their innovative efforts in criminal justice information sharing. Developed and maintained by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services' (DPSCS) ITCD, the Criminal Justice Dashboard is a valuable tool for Maryland's law enforcement professionals.
In conjunction with the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP), Dashboard was selected as both this year's winner of the Council of State Government's (CSG) Innovations Award as well as the Oracle's Fusion Middleware Innovation Award. Continued here |
 | believing in human capital |
Construction Apprenticeship Partnership Giving Offenders Job Skills
Proud family and friends gathered at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) this month to congratulate graduates as they received certificates in Construction Apprenticeship Preparation Continuing Education. The apprenticeship partnership developed between the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Service (DPSCS), the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and CCBC, allows inmates, parolees and probationers under DPSCS supervision to begin their path towards employment, and ultimately successful reentry.
Continued here
|
 | public safety works |
Building a Gateway to Reentry
On October 6th Secretary Gary D. Maynard joined local and state elected officials in Carroll County, MD to cut the ribbon on two gateway signs for the Warfield Commerce and Cultural Center off route 32 in Sykesville. Commissioned by the town of Sykesville, the 50-foot long brick signs not only serve as a corridor to economic activitiy in the area, but are among the latest Public Safety Works projects completed by offenders nearing their release.
Continued here |
|
|
Dashboard Recognized Nationally for Innovation continued
Oracle honors customers who use Fusion Middleware software to develop original, cutting-edge solutions to their business needs. Developed in 2008, the web-based Dashboard has been an original solution to improving Maryland's law enforcement data sharing. It consolidates more then 100 databases from 22 agencies in Maryland, allowing users to access information about a suspect in a matter of minutes.
On October 19, during the Council of State Government's (CSG) National Conference in Bellevue, Washington, Ron Brothers, Chief Information Officer for DPSCS, and Virginia Geckler, Policy Analyst for GOCCP, were on hand to accept the CSG Innovation Award for the East Region. Winning innovations were judged on creativity, effectiveness, transferability and significance to the region. "Bringing together Maryland's informational databases into a easily digestible format breaks down silos between agencies," says CIO Brother, "making the state's law enforcement more efficient, while saving valuable time and resources." Return to story intro |
Construction Apprenticeship Partnership Giving Offenders Job Skills continued
Construction safety, core skills, blueprint reading, and OSHA safety with first aid CPR are all part of the coursework. Upon completion of the four-day-per-week courses, the graduates are assigned an employment specialist who will assist with job placement. 
"For the Department of Public Safety, this partnership signifies our efforts to create a smooth transition from incarceration to community supervision as both our Division of Correction and Parole and Probation have worked equally hard to bring this program about," DPSCS Secretary Gary D. Maynard told graduates and attendees at the October 28, 2011 ceremony. "Employment is one of the biggest barriers to success upon release, but all of you here today are already on the right path."
The graduating class consisted of female offenders from the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW), as well as a few recently released women who are now under supervision of the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation (DPP). A future class will also include male offenders nearing release from the Baltimore Pre-Release Unit. Teachers in the program, MCIW and DPP staff, as well as leadership from the College were on hand to congratulate the 15 graduates.
The partnership highlights DPSCS efforts to improve workforce development to provide meaningful bridges to employment upon release.
Return to story intro |
Building a Gateway to Reentry continued
"What we see here," said DPSCS Secretary Gary Maynard, "is a truly a meaningful inmate project. Inmates learned valuable skills they can use when they get out, while at the same time helping Sykesville complete a project that might have been difficult to do without them."
Three minimum security inmates who had worked for several weeks earlier in the year under a contractor to build the signs were on-hand to see their work dedicated. This particular project also capitalized on DPSCS' focus on workforce development where offenders learn occupational skills behind bars. In FY11 alone 850 offenders completed some type of training that resulted in certificates in occupations such as masonry, carpentry and printing.
"We're so glad Secretary Maynard told us about these projects," said State Delegate Susan Krebs. "And we have lots of ideas on how to use these men's talents beyond this project."
Public Safety Works crews across the state are helping local and state agencies, as well as non-profits, accomplish tasks that would otherwise go uncompleted due to economic woes. Offenders learn job skills that are a bridge to meaningful employment, while also giving back to the society they harmed.
Return to story intro
|
|
|
|
|
