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Dion (Mark) Laing

Chaplain Specialist

To be a part of the Wellness Unit family is an opportunity to be there for the Michigan Department of Corrections community that I have come to know and greatly appreciate and can relate and empathize with the stress, trauma and turbulence our community goes through, both at work and in their homelife.

I came into the MDOC as a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, with manager experience, certified leadership and supervisor training, and a Licensed Ordained Elder since 1996. In 2013, I completed my four-year college degree (Bachelor’s) in Criminal Justice.

I began my career in MDOC at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility (ARF) in 2006, where I joined the ranks as a Corrections Officer, then advanced to Corrections Shift Supervisor (Sergeant), an Assistant Resident Unit Supervisor (ARUS), an Institutional Training Officer (HRD/ITO) and Officer Recruit Training Officer (Academy Platoon Leader), where I had the opportunity to see Corrections from the “Non-Custody” side. I also had the privilege to be a part of the MDOC Emergency Response Team (ERT). I am currently a MDOC Honor Guard Member, a Mental Health First Aid Adult Instructor, and presently active in my home/local church ministry and the “Wounded Hope Ministries” for U.S. Military Combat Veterans that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In 2016 while at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility (JCF), I had the opportunity to become an Institutional Chaplain based on my minister credentials. It was an honor and blessing to be there for both offenders and staff for spiritual guidance, support, and consolation. During my position as Chaplain, I also facilitated the Domestic Violence program (BRIDGES) conducted sessions for Diversity Workshops.

I’m excited to be able to continue “Operation M.Y.P.K.” (Make Your Presence Known) as a Chaplain with my Wellness family and remind our MDOC community that they are not alone.