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 Sharing Our Stake in Maryland's Public Safety | May 2014 |
The Public Safety Stakeholder
 An E-publication of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for our Criminal Justice and Community Partners |
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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 
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The mission of DPSCS is to protect the public, our employees and those under our supervision.
Governor Martin O'Malley Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown
DPSCS Secretary Gregg Hershberger
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Inmates tend to a vegetable garden at Eastern Correctional Institute See more pictures on our Facebook page.
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This Month's Featured Stories:
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 | keeping communities safe |
DPSCS is Looking for a Few Good...
The DPSCS Human Resources Services Division is beefing up its corrections recruitment efforts, sending out correctional officer instructors to try to find the next candidate.
In a recent partnership with the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions, two instructors are now attending area job fairs trying to recruit the best and brightest to a career in corrections.
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 | believing in human capital |
Freedom- One Stitch at a Time
Six women sit behind their sewing machines, bobbins and thread humming, crafting American Flags. The seamstresses, however, lack that which the flag so starkly symbolizes; armed guards, prison walls and razor wire stand between these women and their freedom.
The women are all incarcerated at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, and work on the flag line at Maryland Correctional Enterprises- the prison industry arm of the Department of Safety and Correctional Services.
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 | public safety works |
Flowers Blossom at Veterans Memorial
The Ralph S. Tagg chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) was looking for help maintaining the median around Maryland Veterans Memorial Highway signs in Hagerstown; it found willing partners in the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
DAV maintains the highway signs on Interstate 81 near I-70. The group, which is also an active supporter of the DPSCS partnership with America's VetDogs, partnered with DPSCS's Public Safety Works program, which matches inmates with communities in need.
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DPSCS is Looking for a Few Good...
"They understand the process," Venus Stewart, manager of Human Resources recruitment and examinations, said of the instructors. "They can give that encouragement on how recruits can succeed."
The division is always looking for good officers due to resignations, retirements and extended leaves. Candidates must take a written test, physical exam, psychological screening and background check. The search for candidates is competitive, with surrounding states such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware trying to tap into the same pool.
The officers recently attended a Fort Meade job fair with 800 participants and their presence attracted a lot of traffic, Stewart said. "Just having our officers there increased our visibility and drew people," she said. "It's like the military people do when they have officers there, it maximizes our potential."
The partnership has certainly enhanced recruiting efforts, Stewart said.
"To see how one mission gives people an opportunity to make a difference is great," Stewart said.
For more information about a career with the DPSCS, visit our recruitment page.
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Freedom- One Stitch at a Time
The women don't need prior sewing experience, but crafting a flag does take a special talent. According to one member of the flag line, "Putting the flags together is quite difficult and to be picked to do that, I feel honored. I enjoy working with the people I'm working with and it gives you a sense of pride when you finish."
MCE sold more than 100 US Flags in just the first few months of this year, but averages more 700 per year. By law, these special flags can only be sold to State agencies, local government and nonprofit organizations. Inmates who work on the flag line, and MCE's other manufacturing plants learning a work skill and work ethic are half as likely to return to prison.
Flag Facts
- Centralized Prison Industry in Maryland began producing flags almost 70 years ago.
- The largest flag sewn by MCE inmates measured 20 ft. x 30 ft. and was produced for Ft. McHenry. It took 5 shop workers to complete.
- Inmates currently produce US, Maryland and DPSCS flags, as well as small pennants for various state agencies.
- Start to finish, it can take one worker one day to complete a US flag, but two weeks to complete a Maryland State flag.
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On Thursday, May 22, four inmates, including one honorably discharged Army veteran, helped DAV plant flowers and give the sign the facelift it needed in time for Memorial Day. They will continue throughout the year to help DAV maintain veterans memorials.
"The Public Safety Works restorative justice program provides inmates an opportunity to give back to the community they offended," PSW Coordinator John Rowley said. "With this special Veterans Memorial Project, the inmates were able to give back to the men and women of their community that gave so much for them and their fellow citizens."
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