Atwell Appointed DORS Division Director

Noting her experience, knowledge and integrity, Missouri Department of Corrections Director Larry Crawford has appointed Dr. Mariann Atwell as Director of the Division of Offender Rehabilitative Services (DORS). The appointment was effective February 5, 2008. Atwell had served as Acting Director for the past six months, after Steve Long was appointed to Missouri's Probation and Parole Board.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to work with the wonderful employees in DORS as well as with the other divisions," Director Atwell told the Horizon.

Before being appointed Acting DORS Director in 2007, Dr. Atwell served as the Chief of Mental Health Services for DORS. She served in that capacity for five years. Dr. Atwell was responsible for the oversight of contracted mental health and sex offender services to offenders within the prison system. Before that, she served as the Institutional Chief of Mental Health at Ozark Correctional Center (OCC) in Fordland, and worked as a clinician for Neuropsychological Associates Services in Springfield. Dr. Atwell earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from School of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, and her masters and doctorate in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield.

Dr. Atwell oversees a division with a $171,798,803 budget and over 600 employees. That figure doesn't include contract employees. DORS is responsible for providing medical, mental health, educational, substance abuse and workforce development services. It also is responsible for reentry, sex offender treatment and oversees Missouri Vocational Enterprises (MVE), which teaches offenders solid work ethics and transferable job skills, preparing them for a successful transition to society.

"My aim is to continue to lead our division in offering offenders programs and opportunities for skill development, which will assist them in being more productive individuals upon release," Director Atwell said.

Dr. Atwell oversaw several accomplishments as Acting DORS Director. The International Correctional Education Association (CEA) presented certificates in November 2007 to Chillicothe Correctional Center (CCC), Moberly Correctional Center (MCC) and South Central Correctional Center (SCCC) in Licking for receiving a 100 percent evaluation from their audits. The Missouri Reentry Process (MRP) continues to be the envy of the nation. In 2007, the Missouri Department of Corrections and the MRP Steering Team provided consultation and best practices for Wisconsin and North Dakota. Missouri has assisted 11 states since 2005. MRP Steering Teams continue to expand across Missouri; there are now 33 MRP Community Steering Teams. DORS also has partnered with the Missouri Department of Revenue to obtain state identification cards in five prisons prior to the offenders' release. The Department has issued 355 state ID's since the beginning of the identification project. DORS is currently working with Revenue to expand this project to all 20 Missouri prisons. Reentry Courts have also been established across the state. There are currently 15 drug courts with about 114 participants. Dr. Atwell's staff is exploring how the drug court model can be used to support the reentry practices beyond the current structure, which primarily focuses on 120-day Institutional Treatment Center releases.

Dr. Atwell lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Denny.

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