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Ionia County Agent Abigail Gainey selected as MDOC’s 2023 Candice L. Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year

Contact: Chris Gautz
(517) 256-3790

Ionia County Agent Abigail Gainey selected as MDOC’s 2023 Candice L. Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year

Lansing, Mich. – Abigail Gainey is the Michigan Department of Corrections' 2023 Candice L. Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year for being a leader and consistently promoting offender success.

"Agent Gainey aligns with the Department's mission and serves as a coach to those she supervises," Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington said. "Her ability to connect with her peers, those she supervises, and her community partners make her a tremendous asset to the Department. Agent Gainey continuously uses her training to make informed decisions, and I am proud of the difference she is making in people's lives."

Gainey, who began her career with the MDOC nine years ago, is a leader with the supervision of Sex Offender Case Management and Interstate Compact. Gainey also manages the Swift & Sure and Mental Health Court programs and serves as an Ionia County Community Corrections Advisory Board member.

Gainey consistently goes above and beyond, serving as a coach for the offenders she supervises. Gainey utilizes tools to assist offenders, keeping them from high-risk behaviors and providing additional resources to address their individual needs. There are numerous examples of her positively impacting the lives of those she supervises through her coaching techniques, including assisting an offender to negotiate a $7 pay raise at their place of employment.

Gainey is highly regarded by her peers and community partners. Gainey works with her community partners to find solutions and has been described as inspiring and encouraging.

"I enjoy having an impact on my community," said Gainey. "Seeing people doing well after supervision is so rewarding and benefits our whole community."

The award was named to honor the legacy of Candice L. Dunn, who was an Oakland County probation agent and was the Department's 2017 Parole/Probation Agent of the Year. She was killed in a car accident the night she was recognized for the achievement at an MDOC Employee Appreciation Banquet.

Other nominees for Parole/Probation Agent of the Year included: Sex Offender Management Unit Agent Katie Davis; Kalamazoo County Agent Cody Deutsch; Macomb Probation Agent April Griffin; Monroe Probation Agent Travis Sharp; Wexford County Parole and Probation Agent Lindsay Simmon, Ingham County Parole Agent Ashley Smith; Wayne County Parole Agent Lavonda Sterdivant; Genesee Probation Agent Keyatta Sumpter; Lahser District Probation Agent Tracey Till-MacLachlan; G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility Institutional Agent Dylan Whitten; Pontiac Parole Agent Heather Zimmerman.

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