April 24, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, Howard County Department of Corrections announced Kimberly Powell, a Correctional Technician, has been recognized by the State of Maryland as Maryland Correctional Administrators Association (MCAA) Civilian Employee of the Year. Additionally, Sergeant Perry Young was recognized as the Howard County Correctional Officer of the Year.
“My sincere congratulations to these Department of Corrections employees, who clearly demonstrate excellence in their work every day,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “Especially among these challenging times, we’re incredibly grateful for our employees who are making adjustments and still ensuring our essential services are operating with high quality.”
Ms. Powell is a facilitator for the Department’s Strengthening Families Program, teaching parenting skills to inmates, and checks inmate mail for contraband and other security concerns. During the past year she has discovered numerous pieces of mail containing suboxone and multiple incidents of inmates trying to circumvent mail procedures.
Sergeant Young is a long tenured member of the Department’s Special Emergency Response Team and is trained as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer. Since incorporating CIT training, the agency has seen a significant decrease in Use of Force incidents. Sergeant Young recently became an instructor and worked closely with the Security Chief and Training Coordinator to develop a “Back to Basics” security training program for correctional officers, improving officer performance. Additionally, Sergeant Young has coordinated the Department’s annual basketball tournament, a highly anticipated program and morale booster for the inmate population.
“It is a pleasure to work with these two outstanding employees. They go above and beyond to help the Department of Corrections accomplish its public safety mission,” said Jack Kavanaugh, Director of Howard County’s Department of Corrections.