County Corrections Dept. cited for accessibility Receives one of six governor’s awards for its treatment of people with disabilities
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By Dylan Morrill |
Saturday, August 10, 2013
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DOVER — The Strafford Department of Corrections recently received a prestigious award from Gov. Maggie Hassan for its treatment of people with disabilities. The department was one of six New Hampshire organizations or individuals presented a Governor’s Accessibility Award from the New Hampshire Commission on Disability in July.
“We do this annually,” said Carol Conforti-Adams, Information and Referral Specialist for the Governor’s Commission on Disability. “We recognize people that have accomplished leadership within a businesses or an organization that supports independence inclusion and accessible environments and services for individuals with disabilities.”
In early July, the Strafford Department of Corrections was chosen as one of only a half-dozen recipients the Accessibility Award, which have been given out yearly since 2011. On July 23, awards were presented in the Executive Council Chamber of the N.H. Statehouse.
“It was an honor to go up and receive it from the governor,” said Bruce Pelkie, superintendent of the Strafford County Department of Corrections. “It just recognizes we truly are a facility that cares.”
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The Strafford County Department of Corrections is the first correctional facility to receive a Governor’s Accessibility Award. “We were very taken back by the comprehensive integrative approach they had with their volunteers,” said Conforti-Adams. “It’s the overall philosophy of the institution to really address all needs of all people.”
In a nearly 1,000-word nomination written by a Dr. Candace Cole-McCrea, who teaches at the Strafford Department of Corrections, the department was lauded for its accommodations for people with disabilities, and also for its rehabilitation programs for inmates.
“I must use a wheelchair to be mobile,” said Cole-McCrea in the nomination. “In the past few years, during my time at Strafford County Department of Corrections, I have recognized services, supports and accommodations beyond legal mandate, both for my continued work there and on behalf of inmates with various disabilities.” Cole-McCrea went on to highlight various rehabilitation programs — including substance abuse counseling, life skills training, domestic relations training, and anger management — used by the Strafford Department of Corrections.
“Opportunities are developed, using person-centered planning, to assist any inmate to benefit from college prep course and career development,” said Cole-McCrea in the nomination. “There is no age, race, or nationality barrier.”
According to Pelkie, several of the rehabilitation programs — which have been mostly in place since 1999 — have successfully decreased recidivism rates. He says other correctional facilities have similar programs, but he wants the Strafford County correctional facility to do it best. “What we don’t want to do is be a revolving door,” said Pelkie. “We’re past the days when we lock them up and throw away the key. There’s nothing gained in that.”
There were a total of 16 nominations for the Governor’s Accessibility Award. Other winners included a museum, a university, and a church. “The most important thing is caring about people,” said Pelkie. “About all people. Everybody’s equal.”
