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| The heart of corrections |
| By Sarah Etter, News Reporter |
| Published: 01/08/2007 |
As the winner of our Corrections Expressions contest, Paula Mikles makes one thing clear: She IS corrections. 
For Mikles, who got her start in the field after her husband began working at the Indiana Department of Corrections' Putnamville Correctional Facility, corrections is a family affair. Her son, son-in-law, and brother are all PCF COs, and her father worked for the DOC before he passed away. “We're a very close-knit corrections family,” she says. “We exchange some pretty funny stories over the dinner table some nights.” With more than twenty years in corrections under her belt, this seasoned CO has poured her heart into her work with the INDOC. Currently, Mikles works with offenders at the PCF warehouse. She teaches inmates how to load and unload trucks, how to account for inventory, and sometimes even how to count. “You'd be surprised how many of these men have never learned to count,” she says. “Most offenders, you have to treat them as you would treat your own child. You're teaching them the way you would teach your own kids.” Mikles learns something new everyday, too. She has developed an extraordinary amount of patience by teaching inmates and COs. As a PCF mentor, she usually has her hands full showing incoming COs the ropes. “I try to pass advice on to just about anyone starting out in corrections,” she explains. “At PCF, we match up a CO with each new employee so we can teach them how to treat an offender. A lot of times, how an offender acts is a direct result of how you treat them. If you treat them negatively, they will act negatively. We show the new guys how to treat them correctly.” Mikles has worked in many positions at PCF. She's done everything from mentoring new COs to mentoring offenders aspiring to be chefs. “I spent a lot of time working with inmates in a culinary program here,” she remembers. “They have all moved on to do some really great things. They've started catering services and have become managers at restaurants. It's motivating to hear how successful they are on the outside now.” With her hands so full of DOC tasks, it's hard to imagine Mikles isn't exhausted at the end of each day. But her drive to help others doesn't stop when she's off the clock. She spends her spare time sewing blankets for cancer patients. “The blankets I make are very thick because chemotherapy patients tend to be very cold,” she explains. “It is time consuming, but so worthwhile.” Her blankets are circulated all over Indiana; some end up on the laps of offenders in hospice programs while others are donated to community centers that pass them along to Army, Navy and other military veterans with terminal illnesses. “I promised my father, when he had cancer, before he passed away, that I would never forget him. I promised that I would always try to make sure other people were taken care of,” Mikles says. Part of that philosophy motivates her in corrections, too. “If you want to make your life corrections, you have to give as much as you take and your life will be fulfilled,” she says. “It's a wonderful industry if you can do that.” If you haven't had the chance to read Mikles' essay, have a look! First Place Winner: Paula Mikles Corrections Officer Putnamville Correctional Facility Indiana Department of Corrections We selected Paula's entry because it touched upon the rich corrections history and how its tradition has been passed through her family. Many years ago the father of two young boys left them and their mother. Their mother remarried hoping to make their lives better. It was then that these boys found out what hell on earth was. Their stepfather beat them daily with his hands, and on several occasions with a baseball bat. Their stepfather hit them until they were bleeding and throwing up. The example set by their stepfather could have made them just like him but with the help of God, family, friends and neighbors these boys turned out to be shining examples for all. Both boys went on to serve their country in WWII. They earned Bronze and Silver Stars, Purple Hearts and several French metals. After the war both brothers set about trying to help others as they had been helped. Not only did they give people food and clothes, but they even gave some a home until they got on their feet. Both boys went on to convey what they had learned to their children and asked that they pass it on to others, and to remember the Golden Rule. One of these brothers was my father, my hero, and my best friend. The other was my uncle. My father always said if you show someone how to be a good person, you can change their pathway in life. My father and uncle showed this pathway to their children, family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. They made such a difference that when my dad passed away from cancer, at the age of 80, we received messages and flowers from all over the United States, with many from the people he helped. And at his funeral were people from all of the surrounding states to attend the service. Every single one of them said that without my father's friendship and guidance they would never have made it in the world. When my uncle passed away from a heart attack, his work truck was at his house. His co-workers were so upset that they could not drive his truck back to the plant. This was done by my dad who thanked all who worked with his brother, and he would always be their friend. Of my father's children, two work in corrections; one son-in-law and two grandchildren. Of my uncle's children, one is in corrections and is a Vietnam Veteran, and one of his grandchildren works with at-risk children. So you can see how well their teachings worked. I want to pass on the teachings of my father, and uncle, to people incarcerated. Many of our offenders never had the love of either of their parents. Many had bad experiences in foster care. Many were mistreated, beaten, raped, hungry or unwanted by anyone. I want to teach them that they matter by caring, and giving them respect. I want to show them how to succeed on their own, how to love and be loved. Give them praise when they do well in education, work, or have good conduct. I want to show them how to pass this information along to other offenders and I hope this will go full circle and not only be a reward for me but for them also. As I work with offenders each day, I try to be firm, fair and consistent. I show them respect and praise for the work they do. These offenders are people too, and they have feelings and families just like anyone else. If we set good examples for them, give them positive feedback, and make a real effort they will succeed in changing their lives. They will become heroes to their children, families, friends, and neighbors, and gain a purpose in life and self worth. In over twenty years of working in various positions in corrections I have seen this happen and will continue my quest to pass it on just as two brothers did many years ago. I hope all who read this pass it on and make a real impact on someone's life, and I can guarantee your cup will overflow with blessings. |
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