Putnamville staff shown appreciation with free meals

Administration at the Putnamville Correctional Facility serve food to staff in appreciation for their diligence during the COVID-19 spread.

Courtesy photo/Indiana Department of Correction

Staff at Putnamville Correctional Facility (ISF) have been provided free meals for their hard work and dedication to the facility.

One week in May would typically be set aside for the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) to celebrate its staff. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this has been postponed.

Deputy Wardens Timmy Phegley and Keith Hartzell, along with the employee recognition committee (ERC), did not want the staff to go without receiving appreciation for everything they do day in and day out.

Within the last 30 days, the ERC geared up to serve free lunches to two day shifts and two night shifts on three separate occasions. With a total over 450 staff to serve, this was no light task. Volunteers consisted of caseworkers, case managers and unit team management.

“I am thankful for all the staff that have taken part in assisting the ERC with the free meals,” said Phegley. “We are all in this together and every staff member has played a critical role in preventing COVID-19 from spreading and assisting each other with daily tasks.”

Each staff member received a grilled cheese sandwich and their choice of chicken noodle soup or homemade stuffed pepper soup. A few weeks later, another all-staff appreciation meal consisted of Coney dogs, and a later free meal consisted of spaghetti and garlic bread.

“We are so proud of the diligence our staff has shown during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hartzell, “and this is a way we can show appreciation for them, and applaud the way they have continued to serve IDOC, ISF and the local community.”

Putnamville administration is already planning the next way to show appreciation to staff by scheduling a root beer float day.