Chillicothe Correctional Institution recognizes employees
CHILLICOTHE — The Chillicothe Correctional Institution recently announced which employees won the yearly Corrections Officer of the Year and Employee of the Year recognition. Warden Tim Shoop said he could not be prouder of both winners as both always strive to do what is right.
Workers at the institution voted from a list of employees who had previously won Employee of the Month.
See last year: Chillicothe Correctional awards Employee and Officer of the Year
Dan Eichenlaub was named Correction Officer of the Year. With 29 years in the institution he has worked in many different departments around the facility and now works as the entry guard checking in everyone, including employees, who come to CCI throughout the day.
Eichenlaub's father worked in corrections for over 30 years and tried to keep his son out of the profession in the beginning. However, Eichenlaub said he knew working with the state would make a good career. He said his job has taught him a lot of responsibility and helped him to mature over time.
"I pride myself on letting them know they can depend on me," said Eichenlaub of his peers.
Shoop said that Eichenlaub is the "face of CCI" as he sees everyone who comes and goes from the facility and takes exemplary care of visitors. Eichenlaub was surprised but pleased to be honored as Corrections Officer of the Year.
"I wasn't expecting it, I was just doing my job," said Eichenlaub. "I try to do it the best I can."
Steve Barnes is a Corrections Lieutenant who has worked in corrections for over 13 years, two of which have been with CCI. His work involves overseeing incarcerated individuals and corrections officers to smoothly run a unit. He is also part of the rules infraction board that handles cases of misdoing by incarcerated individuals at the facility.
While working Barnes said he aims to stay consistent every day so that everyone he interacts with knows what he expects. While he aims to keep his standards high he is also always learning and working to become a better employee by listening to what his staff needs.
He was surprised to win Employee of the Year but Shoop called him a "staunch professional" who always carries himself highly and is a good representative for the institution.
"It was a blessing that they see what I do and believe in my ability," said Barnes.
Both winners will go on to represent the facility and be up for statewide recognition later this year.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Chillicothe Correctional Institution names CO and Employee of the Year
