Each month on our website we would like to represent one of our 12 facilities and the Employee of the Year or Quarter that they have chosen for the year.  We hope to motivate our staff even further with this program and also allow the public to recognize the hard work, loyalty, and devotion these employees have for this company and for the people they work with day to day.

April - Jackson Parish Correctional Center

Lt. Debra Johns at Jackson Parish Correctional Center has been selected as Employee of the Month. Debra Johns has been an excellent employee since the facility opened in October 2007. As the Transitional Work Program Supervisor, she assists is finding inmates for our facility as well as screening other inmates from multiple work release facilities. She also works closely with Libby Tigner in screening inmates for Jackson Parish Correctional Center. On March 7, 2012 the Transitional Work Program at JPCC was under Audit for 2011. Shortly after the audit, we received a letter praising our program for being organized (filing and offices), and they found our facility clean and neat.

Lt. Johns is known for going beyond her normal duties and helping anyone who asks. Currently she is calling facilities and settings up swaps to help fill our facility closer to capacity. Lt. Debra Johns works well with others and has an easy time talking to other employees at the JPCC. She is highly praised by others. It is an honor to submit Lt. Johns as Employee of the Month, for she deserves it due to her hard work and dedication in helping with the success of the Jackson Parish Correctional Center and the Transitional Work Program.

April - Jefferson County Downtown Jail

Officer Ronald Holmes joined LaSalle Corrections at the Jefferson County Downtown Jail in Beaumont, Texas in September 2011.  Officer Holmes brought 14 years of experience from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  As an experienced Officer he immediately jumped on board and began contributing his experience and knowledge to help make the facility a success.  Officer Holmes soon after coming on board accepted a position on the Transportation team and has done an excellent job. 

Employees such as Officer Holmes are hard to find.  Officer Holmes without being asked or told what needs to be done, always contributes without being given direction.  He is polite, cordial, and gets along well with each staff member.  In order to show our appreciation, he was given a basket of goodies and a lunch with the Administrative team.  The Jefferson County Downtown Jail is proud to have an excelling employee such as Officer Holmes on our team.  The Administrative staff would like to congratulate Officer Holmes and wish him many more years of success with LaSalle Corrections!

March - Johnson County Jail

Randall Becker received the Correctional Officer of the Year award at the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Awards Banquet on October 8, 2011. He has been working at the Johnson County Law Enforcement Center for two years and six months as a correctional officer; also assisting as a mentor to the newly assigned staff members.

On August 21, 2011 Randall was promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Becker is very active in the day-to-day operations at the jail. He truly understands the importance of training our staff and is committed to mentoring our staff. While providing the day-to-day needs of the inmates and detainees at the jail, he also ensures the safety and security of the patrons and employees within the facility. Sergeant Randall Becker is a dedicated and loyal professional with high ethical standards.

Also, at the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Awards Banquet, Sergeant Renee Sample received the Meritorious Service Award. She has assisted in the day-to-day operations at so many different capacities within the Johnson County Law Enforcement Center, without complaint. She maintains exemplary performance as the Compliance Sergeant by insuring that our facility passes the numerous inspections that are required each year. She always receives high praise by the investigators or auditors that enter our facility on her excellent job performance. She is very knowledgeable and can answer any and all questions from various staff, inspectors, auditors, and courts. Her diligence and dedication to the service she provides for this facility permeates her exceptional performance in her current position.

January - Jefferson County Downtown Jail

Warden Detrah Lacy of Jefferson County Downtown Jail has chosen Officer Brandon Fuqua as their Officer of the Quarter for Jan-March 2012. Brandon Fuqua began his employment with LaSalle Corrections in August of 2011 in Beaumont, Texas. Brandon made it clear upon his arrival that he was going to be one of the best Officer's at the facility. Shortly thereafter, he stated to fellow workers that his goal was to be the first employee of the month. Little did he know, Jefferson County Downtown Jail was not honoring Employee of the Month, but was honoring "Employee of the Quarter," which he became the first to receive recognition. He was presented with a basket full of goodies, a honored luncheon, and a certificate.

Brandon is one of the youngest jailers at the facility and shows complete strength and eagerness to do a good job. Offenders hate to see him coming due to being the most thorough at completing his cell searches and confiscating contraband that they feel comfortable will not be found. He is a motivated employee who is eager to learn and demonstrates much enthusiasm. Brandon has proven to be a loyal, dedicated, and ambitious employee. He is truly an asset to LaSalle Corrections.  

September - Burnet County Jail

Warden Bruce Zeller of Burnet County Jail has chosen Michael Ortiz as the Employee of the Year. Michael Ortiz has worked for Burnet County Jail since February of 2010 as a Correctional Officer.  He is from Burnet County and has lived there all but 3 years of his life and has worked in the corrections field for some time.  He consistently goes above and beyond his daily duties and excels in whatever he does.  This officer helps in all aspects of maintaining the facility, from running a picket, central control, transport, to being lead utility.  He is a "go to guy" for the entire facility and all shifts.  No matter how stressed out he is, he is always friendly and courteous.  He was also a crucial part in getting the facility ready for the ACA Audit. Michael Ortiz is a positive role model to his peers by not only his attendance, but also his professionalism on and off duty.

August - LaSalle Correctional Center

Warden Jeff Windham of LaSalle Correctional Center has chosen Richard Morehead as the Employee of the Year. Richard Morehead has been in the correctional field since 1996. He has served in several capacities, from Deputy to Captain. He now serves as a Corporal on B-Team for LCC. He frequently serves as acting Sergeant when the need arises. Richard is diligent and determined when performing his duties. Cpl. Morehead has been employed at LCC since 2006 and was promoted to Corporal in 2007. He completed the P.O.S.T. Academy in 2007 and holds several certificates such as CPR, AED, and Suicide awareness along with several others.

Cpl. Morehead is a valued employee of LCC for the above mentioned qualities. In addition, he went above and beyond the call of duty in saving the life of an offender who had suffered a cardiac event. Cpl. Morehead gave selflessly in order to see the greater good accomplished.

Cpl. Morehead has been chosen Employee of the Year for LCC for setting a good example, being reliable and diligent, and giving 100% effort 100% of the time.

July - Claiborne Parish Detention Center

Warden Johnny Sumlin of Claiborne Parish Detention Center has chosen Lieutenant Antwine Davis as the Employee of the Year.  Lieutenant Davis is a resident of Claiborne Parish. He began employment at this facility as a Floor Deputy in December of 2006. Since then he has risen in rank to Lieutenant and has been instrumental in finding and securing numerous articles of contraband such as marijuana, shanks, and numerous cell phones.

Lieutenant Davis' attendance record is excellent as is his willingness to assist the facility in whatever task we are in need of, such as coming in to assist with shakedowns at this facility or other facilities or filling a vacancy on a shift when it is needed.  It is for all of these reasons that the administration of this facility selected Lieutenant Davis for this honor.

June - Richwood Correctional Center

Warden Libby Tigner, Richwood Correctional Center has chosen Mrs. Crystal Brown as their employee of the year.  Mrs. Brown lives in Pioneer, Louisiana and has been employed with Richwood Correctional Center since 10/9/2007, she has a list of positions and promotions. The reason for this nomination comes from things that are more difficult to arrange in lists; her nomination arises out of the depth of her determination, the power of her convictions, and the assurance of her dependability. She has raised the bar for us all.

When it comes to getting the job done Mrs. Brown approaches each and every task with a relentless determination, she is determined not only to get the job done, but to get it done right and in a way that will benefit the facility.  Mrs. Brown is the sponsor for the Inmate Welfare Fund and has served in this capacity since 11/2007. 

Mrs. Brown is someone you can count on, she is the go to person and continually proven this over the years of her employment.  It is for her exemplary work and for the example she presents to us all, that I nominate her for Employee of the Year.

May - Johnson County Law Enforcement Center

Warden Alfred Janicek of Johnson County Law Enforcement Center has chosen Tasha Molinar as the Employee of the Year. Sgt. Molinar is a 22 year old single mother of one.  In her personal time, she enjoys going to the movies with her daughter and playing softball and basketball.

She has been an employee with Johnson County Law Enforcement Center for about four years. She began by working as an officer, guarding inmates in the tanks, and then was moved to the Book In office where she excelled quickly. Her motivation and positive attitude earned her a promotion, and she is now titled Sergeant Molinar.

April- Jackson Parish Correctional Center

Warden Billy Tigner of Jackson Parish Detention Center has chosen Sgt. William Bennett as their employee of the year.  Sgt. Bennett lives in Winnfield, LA and has been employed with the JPDC since May 28, 2008. 

Mr. Bennett has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant and currently works on A Team. Sgt. Bennett has recently completed the 90 hr. post Basic Corrections Course. He is certified with the American Red Cross in CPR/AED and Standard First Aid.  Because of his hard work, Sgt. Bennett is highly respected by his peers.  He is a shakedown artist and is constantly finding contraband that had been hidden by the offenders.  He has a good rapport with his staff as well as the inmate population because of his fairness to both.

Recently, Sgt. Bennett lost his house in a fire, but he says that the good Lord was with he and his family as no one was injured.  This incident, however, did not deter Sgt. Bennett from his duty to work and family. After only a few days off to tie up a few loose ends, Sgt. Bennett was back at work and has not looked back since. It is because of this kind of determination that Warden Tigner has entered Sgt. William Bennett as the Employee of the Year.  

March - Catahoula Correctional Center

Warden Pat Book of Catahoula Correctional Center has chosen Sgt. Vernett Miller as their employee of the year.  Vernett has a wife and two children and joined LaSalle Corrections when he was hired on May 8, 2003 at Catahoula Correctional Center.  He was 23 years old when he started work at this facility and has grown into an excellent officer and leader.  On March 1, 2009 he was promoted to sergeant.

Sgt. Miller works well with his supervisors and officers.  He is very diligent in his job to maintain security.  Recently during a visitation Sgt. Miller was doing his routine search of the parking lot and grounds and found a cell phone and a bag of marijuana left by a visitor for an inmate.

Sgt. Miller has attended all training that this facility provides their officers: CPR, First aid, 90HR POST, Advanced POST, Firearm training, and Gang Violence.  Sgt. Miller keeps his training up to date and has become a great asset to this facility and to this company.