Author: John Bull
She remains unnamed, saying the entire staff should be considered Employee of the Year
Central Prison has named its annual Employee of the Year. 
With that honor comes respect, some glory, $100 in cash and a designated parking space for a year.
She remains unnamed, asking not to be identified to the staff or the public.
She said everyone at Central Prison deserves to be considered the Employee of the Year, and someone else deserving should get the designated parking spot perk.
“This is the epitome of leadership, putting other people first,” said Warden Eddie Thomas. “She said the people who work at Central Prison deserve it more than me.’’
Thomas said the designated Employee of the Year was a supervisor who was nominated by her peers and chosen by a committee.
This striking turn of events was announced at Central Prison’s annual employee appreciate celebration held Oct. 18. Employees were fed barbecue with the fixings, staff-baked desserts and a heaping helping of gratitude.
DPS Chief Deputy Secretary Tim Moose was on hand, as was Deputy Secretary Pam Cashwell and Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee.
The staff was thanked repeatedly and applauded for their hard work in stressful conditions at the close-custody prison that opened in 1884 and features a large hospital system and death row.
“It takes special people to do this,” Thomas told the staff. “I appreciate what you all do.”
At the ceremony service awards were announced for 163 staff members who hit career milestones of five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years of service to the Division of Prisons.