Part 4: Inside Century Correctional – Medical And Dental
July 18, 2013
Today, we continue our look inside the Century Correctional Institution with a look inside the medical and dental operation. Our series will continue Monday inside the prison’s most secure housing unit and more.
Need a cleaning? A filling? Dentures? Just $5 from your inmate account will get you fixed up in Century Correctional Institution. Inmates can get a cleaning about every six months, and there’s no charge for emergency dental services.
The Medical Department at CCI includes medical, dental and psychological services with a total staff of 28 and annual budget around $2 million. The facility includes a doctor’s office, dentist and urgent care clinic rolled into one. Inmates line benches in the waiting room, facing windows away from the front desk. They sit quietly, no television and no magazines. There’s a dentist on staff. There’s always at least an LPN or RN present, allowing CCI to operate an infirmary. Inmates that are transported to a hospital for services not provided are able to return to the infirmary for recovery.
Heading to the clinic is not an easy out from a prisoner’s cell — there’s a copay from their prison accounts unless it’s a medical emergency. Century CI houses and cares for inmates up to medical grade 3 and psych grade 2. That means no wheelchairs and no inmates on continuous psychiatric drugs (those inmates are transferred to the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution).
The State of Florida is in the process of privatizing prison health services, leaving current medical department employees uncertain about their future at the prison.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues Monday on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured top: The medical facility inside Century Correctional Institution. Pictured inset: Dental facilities. Pictured below: A medical exam room. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Part 3: Inside Century Correctional – Food For The Body, Food For The Soul
July 17, 2013
Today, we continue our look inside the Century Correctional Institution with a look at food for the body and food for the soul. Our series will continue inside the medical unit, the prison’s most secure housing unit and more.
How about fresh summer tomato salad? Or a watermelon bowl with fresh cantaloupe? Or fresh from the field sweet corn or summer squash? Those are just a few of the items on recent menus at Century Correctional Institution.
Those fresh items are served to inmates for one simple reason — cost. The fresh fruits and vegetables are grown by prisoners at CCI, at the Berrydale Forestry Camp and at the University of Florida IFAS facility in Santa Rosa County. And they grow a lot. Already this year, CCI inmates have consumed 12,000 tons of corn.
Fresh inmate-produced produce keeps the cost per inmate down to about $1.45 per day. The food service department works twos shifts per day, providing over 4,000 trays per day. Almost all inmate food is baked or boiled — no frying.
The food service facility is a point of pride at Century Correctional.
The facility serves 1,400 inmates in about an hour and a half, including service for medical special diet prisoners at the beginning or end of a food shift. The noise at a meal is best described as a low murmur — inmates are allowed only to talk to one of the three others at their table. There’s no conversation or food sharing with neighboring tables.
Expectations of a cool, comfortable dining experience are out the window during the summer — there’s no air conditioning.
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The chapel is as nondescript as the other buildings in the compound. Unlike most churches when viewed from the outside, there’s nothing ornate and no religious symbols. Just a simple “Chapel” over the door and the number “10617032″ in one corner — the state’s building number.
The inside of the chapel appears a lot like any small country church — wooden pews, a mural of a river flowing from down from the hills. But still very little in the way of religious symbols — one simple cross on a table, no Star of David, no Menorah. That’s because the State of Florida recognizes over 100 different religions, any one of which can be practiced in the chapel. Christian, Jewish and Islamic services are common in the non-denominational chapel.
There’s a small room for a fellowship hall or meetings with a small kitchen. It’s used by faith based groups that may serve coffee or light food, or for the preparation of foods called for in specific religious practices.
Anywhere from 90 to 250 volunteers may enter the institution to help provide services on a monthly basis. During a one year period ending in April 2013, there were 5,170 total hours accrued by volunteers and a total of 1,390 program offered in the chapel for the inmate population.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Complete Basic Leadership Training
July 16, 2013
The Northview NJROTC cadets participated in Basic Leadership Training with 73 cadets from seven Escambia and Santa Rosa county high school NJROTC programs last week on board Naval Air Station Pensacola.
“Our cadets represented Northview High School and this community with the usually pride and winning spirit of the Chiefs,” said Chief Jeffrey Simpkins, NJROTC instructor. The cadets were assisted by Graduate Assistants (GA) that had previously completed the Basic Leadership Training.
Northview cadets received the following awards:
- Lakelynn Parker — 1st in personnel inspection and room inspection; Alpha platoon Motivation Award
- Moriah McGahan –3rd in the mile run; 4th in sit-ups
- Kyle Smith — Bravo platoon’s Distinguish Cadet award
- Douglas Dunkle — 5th place in academics
- Jason Perritt — 7th place in academics.
Pictured: Northview High School NJROTC cadets (front, L-R) Zacarra Davis (GA), Kuper Harkness, Ureil Codrington, Moriah McGahan, Lakelynn Parker Emily Walston, Jenyia Odom (GA), (back row) Lane Carnley (GA), Kyle Smith, Andrew Clemmons, Douglas Dunkle, Jason Perritt, Triston Reaves and, Mason Solchenberger. Not pictured:Victoria Wright (GA). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Part 2: Inside Century Correctional Institution
July 16, 2013
Today, we continue our look inside the Century Correctional Institution with a look at how prisoners are educated and prepared for release. Our series will continue this week inside the medical unit, the chapel, the prison’s most secure housing unit and more.
Inside the prison, a big focus is put on what happens to an inmate once he’s back on the outside with the rest of society. One instructor, Jimmy Rawlinson, heads up Century Correctional’s education programs. (Pictured top are computer work stations in the education department. The inmate computers do not have internet access.)
Over 50 inmates have earned their GED’s this year, and 28 have earned a Florida Ready To Work certification. The Ready to Work program is reserved for inmates that are just a few months away from their release, preparing them to become productive members of society. A English as a Second Language class is also available. and the Mavis Beacon software program is used to teach inmates typing.
A garden has been established withing the perimeter of the prison. Not only does it provide food; it also provides discipline.
Inmates receive time in the garden as a disciplinary action. In the garden, they weed and water by hand.
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During our visit to the prison library, inmates worked quietly, shelving books.
Inside the Century CI Library is a room (pictured above) that offers a glimmer of hope to inmates looking to get out of prison. It’s a complete law library available to inmates wishing to file motions or formulate their appeal. Several inmates serve as trained law clerks, providing assistance to other inmates. Approved inmates can conduct law research on computers, but there is no internet access on the machines.
In the main library, there was bulletin board celebrating America’s 237th birthday. And a large red sign that seemed very ironic in a prison — “Sign Out Here”.
The remainder of library contains thousands of volumes like any ordinary library. Inmates can check out books and return them in a couple of weeks. But at the Century CI library, the books and magazines have been screened with no descriptive material about prison escapes or weapons, and no sexually suggestive images.
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Next to the CCI Library is the Residential Therapeutic Community. There are 14 employees that provide counseling and substance abuse programs to 160 inmates a day, based upon a community participation approach. The entire program takes just over a year to complete.
The program includes 10 classes geared toward re-entry into society after release, education and self-improvement. The participating inmates are segregated from the general population to avoid reinforcement of negative behaviors.
The Residential Therapeutic Community is all about positive re-enforcement. The building’s walls are lined with motivational signs and paintings, all created by the inmates. Several are pictured below.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues this week on NorthEscambia.com.
Relay For Life Seeks Volunteers
July 16, 2013
Relay For Life of Greater Escambia is seeking volunteers – community leaders, cancer survivors, caregivers, and all others – to join the 2014 Steering Committee. Relay Steering Committee members are essential to the planning and implementation of this life-saving fundraising event.
The Steering Committee is made up of local volunteers that want to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer. Committee members have the opportunity to take on a variety of roles, including team or sponsor recruitment, fundraising, survivor and caregiver recognition, publicity, mission education, and more. The Steering Committee meets throughout the Relay season to plan all aspects of the event and coordinate a unique and special community experience.
Greater Escambia’s 2013 event was held at Tate High School on May 3-4 and has raised more than $70,000. Plans for 2014 are underway, and the 2014 committee will hold its first meeting in early September.
Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, with events in more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries. Every year, the Relay For Life movement raises more than $400 million which helps fund groundbreaking research and free information and services for cancer patients and their caregivers.
Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out at an athletic track, park or other gathering area. The events are held overnight to honor and symbolize a cancer patient’s journey through treatment. Teams do most of their fundraising before the event and many host entertaining fundraisers during the event. All funds raised through Relay For Life help the American Cancer Society save more lives by helping people stay well, get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.
For more information about joining the fight against cancer with Relay For Life, contact Event Chair Pat Clements at (850) 776-2944 or Ashley Marg with the American Cancer Society at (850) 266-2280.
Pictured top and below: The survivor and caregiver laps kick of the Greater Escambia Relay for Life last May at Tate High School. Pictured inset: Tate senior Halee Boyd, who is battling cancer, addresses the Relay crowd. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Registration Event Scheduled For Danceworks Classes
July 16, 2013
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks, and a registration event will be held Monday in Byrneville.
The registration will be from5:30 until 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Byrneville Community Center, or students can register by mail.
Ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop classes will be taught by Heather Leonard beginning the week of August 20 for girls ages 3 and up, including classes for teens. Leonard has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas. She is also the coach for the Northview High School Dance Team.
For a printable information sheet, schedule and registration form, click here. For further information, contact Heather Leonard at (850) 529-1358 or email hldanceworks@gmail.com.
Pictured: Scenes from the Heather Leonard’s Danceworks recital “Dancing at the Movies” last May at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas In July Angel Tree Project To Benefit Equine Group
July 14, 2013
Angel Trees in several area businesses will benefit a Cantonment equine rescue group and their foster horses.
Panhandle Equine Rescue has set up Angel Trees in various stores that will remain there through the month of July. There are 20 stars on each tree with a photo that represents each of the group’s foster horses with their needs listed on the back of the star. The star also includes a contact number to call and donate the requested items.
The Angel Trees are located at:
- Southern Mill & Supply at 1280 Hwy. 97 in Molino
- John Kiley’s Cycle World at 8500 Pensacola Blvd. in Pensacola
- Companion Animal Clinic at 470 S. Hwy. 29 in Cantonment
- Tractor Supply at 3 W. Nine Mile Rd. in Pensacola
- Tractor Supply at 6531 Caroline St. in Milton
- Aubrey Hill Boarding Facility in Pace
- Farm and Nursery Mart at 7460 Pine Forest Road in Pensacola
- Pine Forest Vet Clinic at 6860 Pine Forest Road in Pensacola
- Pine Forest Saddlery at 7801 Pine Forest Road in Pensacola
Pictured: The Panhandle Equine Rescue Angel Tree at Southern Mill and Supply on Highway 97 in Molino. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Beach Air Show Goes On Without The Blue Angels (Photos)
July 13, 2013
For the first time in over 20 years, the Blue Angels were missing from the Pensacola Beach Air Show on Friday.
The crowds were light for the practice show, a warm up for the big Saturday show with two dozen civilian aircraft. But about the only way the dress rehearsal could have gone better would have been to have the iconic Blue Angels in the air.
Here is a scheduled for Saturday’s show:
- Pre-show: Hotelier Julian MacQueen, Widgeon.
- 1 p.m. show opener: Team Aerodynamix flying the missing man formation to the National Anthem.
- Dual and solo aerobatics, Gary Ward and Skip Stewart.
- Two-plane demonstration, Lima Lima.
- Dog fight, Red Star & The Dragon jets.
- Solo aerobatics, Kevin Coleman.
- Solo, Otto the Helicopter piloted by Roger Buis.
- 2:12 p.m. 20-minute water break for crowd.
- 2:42 p.m. 11-plane formation, Team Aerodynamix.
- Solo aerobatics, Skip Stewart.
- Solo aerobatics, Gary Ward.
- Six-plane formation, Lima Lima.
“We will miss the Blue Angels, but come and show your support of the Blues in a move of solidarity,” Santa Rosa Island Authority Director Buck Lee said. “It should be fun for the entire family.”
Pictured above and below: Friday’s Pensacola Beach Air Show dress rehearsal. Photos by: Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
July Gardening Tips
July 13, 2013
The heat, humidity and frequent rains of July are great for tropical plants. Gardeners, however, take a bit of a beating. Remember to keep the sunscreen, insect repellant and iced tea handy as you venture out into your garden to perform some needed summer maintenance.
A midsummer application of fertilizer is usually required, especially on annual flowers, lawns, shrub beds and vegetable gardens. This is a supplemental application, so don’t overdo it. A 15-0-15 slow-release fertilizer is a good general purpose landscape fertilizer for most plants.
Major pruning jobs should have been done earlier, but there is still some maintenance pruning that should be done. Deadhead, or clip old flowers, from summer flowering shrubs as soon as they fade to help insure an extended season of bloom. Crape myrtles, hibiscus, hydrangeas and althea are examples of shrubs that will bloom repeatedly if light, selective pruning is done.
Flowering annuals also respond well to deadheading. Snip off old flowers and flower spikes before they have an opportunity to form seed. Allowing annual flowers to set seed can shorten their blooming season considerably.
Inspect your lawn and shrub plantings frequently in order to identify pest problems as early as possible. The most severe damage from pest insects normally begins in July. Be on the lookout for chinch bugs in St. Augustine grass; spittlebugs in centipede grass; sod webworm in all lawns-especially new ones; lacebug and caterpillars on azaleas; whiteflies on gardenia and spider mites on lots of different types of shrubs.
Sod webworms often attack lawns in the summer. They eat the grass blades producing areas that look as if they have been mowed too short. Close inspection will reveal that the blades have not been cleanly cut as with a mower blade but have been chewed along their edges and tips. These caterpillars feed at night and rest during the day down among the runners and in the thatch.
Once an insect pest is found, evaluate the damage and determine if control is necessary. If it is, choose the least toxic option. If only a few caterpillars are found, hand picking might be the choice. Aphids and spider mites can often be controlled by spraying with an insecticidal soap solution. Chemical insecticides are sometimes required. Before choosing one be sure that the insect pest has been properly identified and that the insecticide is labeled for that purpose For vegetable gardeners that have problems with nematodes, soil borne diseases and extensive weed problems, July is a great time to try soil solarization.
Prepare the soil as you normally would for a vegetable garden including adding organic matter. Moisten the area and cover with clear plastic, not black plastic. Clear plastic will produce the highest temperatures. Be sure to weigh down the edges of the plastic so that it doesn’t blow up. Allow the soil to bake in the sun for four to six weeks. The sun will raise the soil temperature high enough to kill many soil borne problems.
Tip of the Week: The nice thing about tomatoes is that you have the option of harvesting when the fruit is green if needed. Tomatoes will ripen indoors at room temperature. To ensure even ripening, place the tomato with the stem up. The ideal time to harvest tomatoes is when they are fully colored but still firm.
In general, it is best to harvest vegetables early in the mornings while the moisture content is higher. The overall quality will quickly diminish as vegetables are exposed to hotter temperatures later in the day.
Photos: Blue Angels Back In The Skies Over Pensacola
July 11, 2013
The Blue Angels were back in the skies over Pensacola on Wednesday. While the Blue Angels’ 2013 air show season may have been canceled due to budget constraints, the pilots fly proficiency flights to maintain their qualifications in the F/A-18 Hornets.
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Submitted photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terrence Siren for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Above: The Blue Angels take off from Naval Air Station Pensacola Wednesday for proficiency flights to maintain their qualifications in the F/A-18.
Above: Blue Angels Commanding Officer and Flight Leader Cmdr. Tom Frosch taxis his F/A-18 Hornet down the runway prior to take-off.
The Blue Angels, F/A-18 Hornets go “smoke on” prior to launching a pilot proficiency flight from Naval Air Station Pensacola on Wednesday.
Above: Blue Angels Opposing Solo pilot Lt. Mark Tedrow waves to his crew chiefs prior to the launch.
Above: Crew chief Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class David Schooley of Easton, Pa., runs clear of the Number One jet.
Above: Blue Angels Maintenance and Support Team members run clear of the runway as part of a practice ground performance prior to the launch of a pilot proficiency flight.