Department of Corrections honors, promotes staff

BOISE-From probation and parole officers to correctional sergeants, approximately thirty employees with the Idaho Department of Correction will receive special recognition this week.

A Treasure Valley ceremony honoring their promotion to new jobs within the department will take place at this afternoon at Gowen Field in Boise.

The employees will be honored for their service and dedication in safely managing offenders and protecting the public. The ceremony is significant because it marks the first time staff members in the Boise area will be formally recognized for their achievements within the department.

Other notable transitions within the Idaho Department of Correction include the following promotions. The new warden of the South Boise Women's Correctional Center is Johanna Smith. She has 16 years of experience in the field of corrections and began her career as a correctional officer at Idaho State Correctional Institution in 1989. Most recently Smith helped oversee operations at the East Boise Community Work Center, an all-female facility which provides a structured re-entry process for offenders.

The South Boise Women's Correctional Center houses the court retained jurisdiction program for female offenders. It also includes a new $2.5 million building project paid for with federal dollars and scheduled for completion late this year. It will provide approximately 130 additional beds for female offenders.

Gary Charland has been appointed to the position of Human Resources Deputy Administrator. Charland has been with the department since 2002. He has thirteen years of experience in human resources and extensive experience in policy development and training. In this role Charland will oversee an HR department that serves approximately 1,500 state employees.