Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution
Torrington, Wyoming
The facility is scheduled to open in January 2010. Hiring is taking place now.
For job information, go to http://www.wdoc.jobs/
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NEW Information about resources in the community of Torrington and surrounding areas supplied by the Goshen County Chamber of Commerce:
- Tips for People Moving to Goshen County, 09/08/09 Click here
- Goshen County and Area Landlords, 10/19/09 Click here
- Rentals Outside Goshen County, 10/5/09 Click here
- Rentals in and around Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 10/5/09 Click here
- Goshen County and Area Church Directory, 7/8/09 Click here
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WDOC is Observed by Corrections Professional
Dr. Rick Patterson, a Criminal Justice professor at Eastern Wyoming College, is on sabbatical for the year of July 2009 to June 2010. During that time he'll be working with the WDOC staff and observing the process of opening the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington. He'll be writing his observations, and we'll post them here.
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Read news releases about the WMCI
- October 13, 2009, WMCI Quarterly Prison Community Partnership Committee in Torrington on November 4 (click here)
- October 5, 2009, Prison Community Partnership Committee Meeting for the WMCI POSTPONED (click here)
- September 14, 2009, Eastern Wyoming College Welcomes WDOC to Torrington (click here)
- July 30, 2009, Quarterly Prison Community Partnership Committee Meeting in Torrington, August 12 (click here)
- July 1, 2009, Test NOW for Correctional Officer Positions at Torrington Prison (Click here)
- June 4, 2009, Wyoming Department of Corrections Budget Cuts Will Not Affect Public Safety (Click here)
- March 23, 2009, Quarterly Prison Community Partnership Committee Meeting in Torrington, April 15 (Click here)
- February 26, 2009, Warden Named for Torrington Prison (Click here)
- February 19, 2009, Sue Davis Hired as Human Resources Specialist for Torrington Prison (Click here)
- January 6, 2009, Quarterly Prison Community Partnership Committee Meeting in Torrington, January 14 (Click here)
- December 1, 2008, Human Resources Manager Named for Torrington Prison (Click here)
- November 3, 2008, Mike Pacheco Named Deputy Warden at New Torrington Prison (Click here)
- January 4, 2008, Quarterly Meeting of WMCI Prison Community Partnership Committee, January 16 (Click here)
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To read more about the WMCI and it's progress, read the "MainLine to WMCI"
- April 2009 issue (Click here)
- June 2009 issue (Click here)
- July 2009 issue (Click here)
- September 2009 issue (Click here)
- October 2009 issue (Click here)
- November 2009 issue (Click here)
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Warden: Michael J. Murphy
Deputy Warden: Michael Pacheco
We're in Torrington! (as of 9/8/09)
Temporary Address:
Phone: 307.534.2998
Fax: 307.534.2999
E-mail: dherdt@wdoc.state.wy.us
Frequently Asked Questions
The Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI) is a medium security men’s facility. It is specifically designed to serve as the primary intake and assessment center for male inmates not sentenced to death. It will serve as a primary education and treatment center for inmates identified as requiring high levels of protective custody, medical, mental health, dental, substance abuse, life skills, cognitive/behavioral, and/or sex offender treatment services. It is located in Torrington, Wyoming.
What is the Total Bed Space?
Total bed space, including infirmary and mental health isolation cells will be 720.
When Will the Facility Open?
It’s estimated to be open in January 2010. WDOC has begun hiring for the anticipated 350+ jobs now in order for new employees to complete the required WDOC Training Academy. For job information, go to http://www.wdoc.jobs/
About the Staff
How many people will be employed?
WDOC is anticipating 350+ state positions plus some contracted positions for medical, mental health, substance abuse treatment and chaplain services.
What kinds of State jobs will be available at the facility?
Correctional Security: Correctional Officers, Corporals, Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains, and Major
Administrative Specialists: Clerical Support, Records & Executive Assistant
Programming/Education: Casework Specialists, Unit Managers, Recreation, Vocational Trainers and Certified Teachers
Food Service: Inmate Supervisors and Manager
Trades Specialists: Plumbers, HVAC, Mechanics, General Maintenance, OSHA Manager, Warehouse
Business Support: Human Resources, Business Office (Fiscal Specialists and Manager), Information Technology
About our Training
What initial training or schooling is available?
All staff attends our P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Certified Basic Training Academy paid for by WDOC. Non-security personnel attend the first five weeks of training and security personnel attend nine weeks of intense training.
Special training schedules are being developed for the initial training academies for WMCI. Training will be nine weeks long. The initial eight academies for the WMCI will be held in Guernsey, Wyoming, at Camp Guernsey. The first one starts on September 14, 2009, followed by other start dates of September 28, October 12, October 26, November 9, November 30, December 14 and the final one on January 4, 2010. The final graduation date will be March 5, 2010. Each academy holds 45 participants. Housing and food will be supplied; or, if a participant lives nearby, the person can commute.
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To read a Corrections Professional's reflection on the WDOC Training Academy, click on:
September 2009, A Long-Time Professional Reflects on WDOC Training Academy
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Training at Camp Guernsey, Guernsey, Wyoming
As stated previously, training for the WMCI will be held at Camp Guernsey for eight academies starting September 14.
Participants can live at Camp Guernsey, paid for by the Wyoming Department of Corrections. They will live in the barracks and eat in the chow hall. All participants have access to the PX and to the All Ranks Club. Eight people share a dorm room; wardrobes are available and will be shared; and there is little room for too many possessions.
Training is scheduled to be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, most of the time, with a few days that will go from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Week will be from Sunday through Wednesday, with days off from December 24-27.
Click here to read What to Expect at the Training Academy at Camp Guernsey
Camp Guernsey Photos
All Ranks Club
Chow Hall
PX
Classroom Buildings
Classroom
Classroom
Dorm Room
Dorm Room
Dorm Room
Dorm Room
About the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution
How does WDOC determine the security status of an inmate?
Every inmate entering our system participates in an extensive intake and assessment process. The assessment reviews all factors identified as risks for future criminality and all factors associated with pro-social, non-criminal behavior. This information is then used to create an individualized case plan that will guide the remainder of the inmate’s incarceration. Case plans include:
- Security classification and custody needs, as determined by institutional and community risk assessments
- Medical and mental health needs
- Basic adult education needs
- Safety needs
- Life skills and cognitive-behavioral needs
- Vocational education and work skills needs
- Non-housing unit based substance abuse and other treatment needs
- Intensive, residential (housing unit based) therapeutic community treatment needs
- Pre-release or transition needs
Our goal is to assist inmates in changing their behavior so when they come out of prison and become our neighbors, they are productive, law-abiding citizens. Approximately 95% of inmates re-enter society at some time.
What types of inmates will be assigned to WMCI?
Approximately two-thirds of the inmate population at WMCI will be housed in this facility for periods of nine months or less. All male inmates sentenced for any felony will be housed at this facility at one time or another. All male inmates coming into the system, who are not sentenced under the death penalty, will be sent to WMCI for an expanded period of intake, assessment, and core-cognitive programming. Following this assessment period, inmates will be transferred to other institutions or remain at WMCI according to the prioritized needs of the inmate’s case plan.
Has anyone been hired for WMCI yet?
You can see the hired staff and read more about the WMCI by reading issues of the "Mainline to WMCI" newsletters.
- April 2009 issue (Click here)
- June 2009 issue (Click here)
- July 2009 issue (Click here)
- September 2009 issue (Click here)
- October 2009 issue (Click here)
Will WDOC have trouble filling all of the positions?
Over 80% of the Goshen County workforce appears to meet or exceed the minimum educational, age and criminal history requirements for correctional employment. As a result, we anticipate that our minimum hiring target of 60% local Wyoming hires may be met, with the remaining 40% coming from experienced staff transferring in, promotions, and out-of-state recruitment.
The biggest challenge for Correctional Officer candidates is passing the physical fitness assessment. Currently, candidates for Correctional Officer have to complete sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. Standards are determined by age and gender. Anyone interested in becoming a Correctional Officer is encouraged to start the testing process as soon as possible.
About the WDOC
Will WDOC be involved with the community?
WDOC is a good neighbor in our communities. Each community with a prison has a Prison Community Partnership Committee which serves as a citizen advisory group to the institution’s warden and designated WDOC representatives regarding correctional issues, activities and practices affecting their community. This committee also promotes open and effective communication between the community and WDOC. Click here to read about PCPCs.
Read notes from the past WMCI Prison Community Partnership Committee meetings
- November 4, 2009 meeting minutes
- August 12, 2009 meeting minutes
- April 15, 2009 meeting minutes
- January 14, 2009 meeting minutes
- October 29, 2008 meeting minutes
- July 9, 2008 meeting minutes
- April 16, 2008 meeting minutes
- January 16, 2008 meeting minutes
- October 17, 2007 meeting minutes
- April 25, 2007 meeting minutes
- January 17, 2007 meeting minutes
Read the newsletters produced by the PCPC about the institution
It is our expectation that WDOC staff and families will be active participants in the communities in which they reside. WMCI will purchase locally whenever possible and in accordance with bulk purchasing and state procurement practices.