October 31, 2016
Dear A/W Sonja Nicklaus:
The purpose of this letter is to request the re-institution of the Violence Prevention Program. This program has been a staple program in this facility for over a decade, and it has served as a necessary resource for shaping positive and productive men who are incarcerated in Dixon, but I am sure you already know this.
When the program was “Temporarily Suspended” in 2015, the reason given to us was due to lack of counselor to supervise the program. Since then, all of the programs, except Lifestyle Redirection (which just started again) have been suspended. Dixon’s programs have been what we’ve been able to hang our hats on throughout IDOC, with Violence Prevention being the flagship program. It’s no coincidence that the governor is opening Kewanee and Murphysboro as program facilities based off the model which was established here first. The governor sees the vital need for programs, and I believe we should stay in step with what has been working.
So I humbly ask that you allow this program to be instituted again. There are counselors who have stated their willingness to oversee the supervision of the program. Thank you for your time and consideration and please respond with your answer.
Sincerely,
Mavin Alexis #R-07621
H.U. 112-14
cc: Becky Grafton, “Case Worker Supervisor
Troy Hendrix, Clinical Services Supervisor
Sonja Nicklaus, A/W Warden Programs