Senate Concurrent Resolution 584

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LEPHER JENKINS, WARDEN OF THE MARSHALL COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, FOR BEING SELECTED AS THE GEO NORTH AMERICA "WARDEN OF THE YEAR" FOR 2006.

WHEREAS, the Marshall County Correctional Facility (MCCF) in Holly Springs, Mississippi, was recently honored to have one of its own supervisors, Warden Lepher Jenkins, awarded GEO Group, Inc. (North America) "Warden of the Year" for 2006; and

WHEREAS, Lepher Jenkins joined GEO on October 1, 2000, and was assigned to the North Texas Intermediate Sanction Facility as Warden. On October 1, 2001, Mr. Jenkins was reassigned to the John Lindsey facility in a lateral move and on January 20, 2004, he was reassigned to the Marshall County Correctional Facility (MCCF) in Holly Springs, Mississippi, as the interim Warden and on March 26, 2004, he was selected as the permanent Warden of the facility; and

WHEREAS, during 2005, Warden Jenkins worked diligently to enhance the effectiveness of security operations at the institution. He coordinated with the Mississippi Department of Corrections to facilitate joint training exercises with the department's Emergency Squad, an exchange which had never before been accomplished with any private company; and

WHEREAS, Warden Jenkins, noting the necessity for improvement, reinforced the perimeter security with the implementation of additional microwaves and razor wire and modernized the electronics of the Central Control Center. He successfully secured an ION scan device that reduced drug introduction into the facility. Warden Jenkins was also instrumental in spearheading the transition of the Grenada County Jail, a former CSC facility, into the GEO organization; and

WHEREAS, on March 27, 2006, Warden Jenkins received a royal greeting from the staff when he returned to the facility following the Leadership Conference and was awarded the "Warden of the Year" Award by corporate officials. A luncheon was held in his honor with the Mississippi Department of Corrections' Deputy Commissioner of Institutions, Emmett Sparkman, and members on the Community Relations Committee in attendance; and

WHEREAS, this award was given to the person whose life best characterizes what this facility and company stand for -- honesty, integrity, effective and efficient performance. Warden Jenkins impresses upon staff to be the best and live up to these standards; and

WHEREAS, this recognition is a direct result of his hard work during his more than 34 years as a corrections professional, as well as his contributions and organizational effectiveness for the past two years at MCCF; and

WHEREAS, any place Warden Lepher has worked is better when he left because of what he brought there. His pride, professionalism and quiet confidence have made him a true leader; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize this accomplishment by a professional, dedicated supervisor who has inspired inmates and employees alike and has set high standards for other Mississippians to follow:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Lepher Jenkins, Warden of the Marshall County Correctional Facility (MCCF) in Holly Springs, Mississippi, for being selected as the GEO Group Inc. (North America) "Warden of the Year" for 2006, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature in his future endeavors at MCCF.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Warden Lepher Jenkins, be forwarded to John Hurley, Senior Vice President of GEO Group, Inc., and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.