Shakopee inmates have now raised seven puppies, which has a significant impact on the inmate trainer as well as staff and other inmates. The third recipient of the 1999 MCA President s Award was the Winona Bike Project , created in 1998, as an innovative response to a frequent offender complaint that they don t have transportation to appointments, work, AA meetings or community service assignments. Originally, local law enforcement donated bikes to the program that had been stolen, lost or abandoned, and never claimed. Winona County corrections staff then had the bikes repaired by clients in the State s Sentencing to Service Program, after which they were provided to offenders in need of transportation. When news of the program spread, supply and demand for the bikes grew.
Bikes continue to be donated by law enforcement as well as private sources.
Accepting the award was Ren Patterson , Winona County corrections supervisor. The MCA Board of Directors Award recognizes exemplary service to MCA members through participation in association activities. This year the Board selected Karla Henrichs of St. Peter, Minnesota, who serves as a probation officer for Blue Earth County. Henrichs has been a dedicated and tireless MCA member since 1979 and has been involved in MCA committee work for the past 12 years. She represents MCA on the steering committee for the American Probation and Parole Association s 2001 national conference.