TDOC Staff Honored at SSCA Conference

CHATTANOOGA – The Tennessee Department of Correction is proud of the more than 6,000 staff that work daily to ensure its facilities are secure and Tennessee communities are safe.  TDOC is excited to announce some of its staff recently received recognition for their work at the Southern States Correctional Association’s annual conference.

The SSCA, an association comprised of over 1,200 professionals in the corrections and law enforcement field representing 14 states, held its annual conference this past week in Chattanooga, TN.  Every year during the conference, awards are presented to officers and staff from across the 14 states represented for outstanding service.

Corporal Marvin Mays of the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility in Nashville, TN, was presented the SSCA Humanitarian of the Year Award.  Earlier this year, Cpl. Mays assisted in the saving of an offender’s life by providing first and CPR.  After calling an emergency code, Cpl. Mays began chest compressions while waiting for medical staff to respond.  Warden Mike Holloway said the offender’s life was saved that day as a result of Cpl. Mays’ actions, and he is a hero.

Officer Tammy Wright, a Probation Parole Officer II Gallatin, TN, received SSCA’s Line Staff of the Year Award for her dedication and impressive work ethic to her job and her agency.  She is well known for her positive influence and for always going above-and-beyond her required duties every day.  Officer Wright, who gave 20 years of service to our country through the Tennessee Army National Guard and the U.S. Navy Reserves, has been with TDOC for 10 years and has been trained to handle Probation, Parole, and Sex offender caseloads.

Cindy Dunning, TDOC’s Web Developer, who represented Tennessee as its chairperson for the conference, was presented the President’s Award for her hard work and dedication the SSCA conference this year.  The conference was enjoyed by all and considered a huge success; and it was all a result of Ms. Dunning’s efforts to ensure all participants enjoyed an informative and productive atmosphere.