New Mendocino County deputies sworn in; inmates gain job skills – Fort Bragg Advocate-News

Three new correctional officers who will work at the Mendocino County Jail were recently sworn in, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported this week.

In a Facebook post Monday, the MCSO reported that Sheriff Matt Kendall “sworn in three new deputies: Juan Ayala, Daniel Buschbacher and Kevin Aguilar on August 19th at the Sheriff's Office Training Center in Ukiah.”

Kendall describes how the new deputies will “recite the Peace Officer Code of Conduct in the presence of their families as well as Sheriff's Office personnel present at the ceremony” and asks citizens to “help us wish Juan, Daniel and Kevin well as they begin their careers serving our community with honor and excellence.”

This month, Sheriff Kendall also pointed out that there are programs in place at the jail to help inmates prepare for their future jobs and that “at the Mendocino County Jail, we have several inmates who work in the kitchen, including cooks, assistant kitchen cooks and dishwashers,” who learn skills such as:

• Food preparation: Following recipes and preparing meals in large quantities.
• Safety: Recognize hazards in the kitchen, observe safety precautions, and follow safe food handling practices.
• Mathematics: Have basic mathematical knowledge.
• Organization: Monitoring ingredient stocks.
• Training: Instructing inmates on how to use kitchen equipment and perform various tasks.

Kendall adds that “hiring individuals with prior prison sentences can be beneficial to both businesses and the community because these individuals possess a strong work ethic, relevant skills and commitment,” and that “if you are looking to hire kitchen staff, you should contact Buffey Bourassa to connect with individuals who have learned important job skills and are actively seeking employment upon their return. She can be reached at (707) 234-2136 or via email at [email protected].”

Kendall also recommends that prospective employers “read the Employers' Guide to Second Chance Hiring Programs and Tax Credits (to discover strategies to reduce the costs and risks associated with hiring people with criminal histories).”