(file photo/Province of B.C./Flickr)

By Vernon Matters Staff

exemplary service

Local among honoured B.C. corrections staff

Apr 27, 2023 | 7:00 AM

A Vernon woman is among 48 provincial corrections staff to receive a national award.

Cindy Field of Vernon Community Corrections was presented with a Corrections Exemplary Service medal for 20 years of service by B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin at a ceremony in Victoria Tuesday,

Public safety Minister Mike Farnworth said eligible staff include those who work in probation offices, correctional and custody centres, and provincial headquarters for the ministries of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Children and Family Development.

“These are correctional staff who have dedicated decades of public service to keep the public safe, with the highest levels of compassion, integrity and skill, in what is a very dynamic and challenging field,” Farnworth said. “The resilience, care and commitment these recipients have demonstrated in order to create better outcomes for individuals under their supervision is incredibly inspiring and admirable.”

The Corrections Exemplary Service Medal marks 20 years of exemplary service; the Corrections Exemplary Service First Bar, 30 years; and the Corrections Exemplary Service Second Bar, 40 years. This year, 41 staff received the medal, six received the first bar and one received the second bar.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

Dec 14, 2025

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

The following honourees were awarded Corrections Exemplary Service Medals and Bars on April 25, 2023:

Corrections Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years

* Carla Spry, Alouette Correctional Centre for Women

* Ann Sutthery, Alouette Correctional Centre for Women

* Simon Glen, BC Corrections Provincial Headquarters

* Lori Pruce, BC Corrections Provincial Headquarters

* Denise Townsend, Burnaby Youth Custody Services

* Sarah Watts, Campbell River Community Corrections

* Dennis Cox, Cranbrook Community Corrections

* Pat Giasson, East Fraser Youth Justice

* Joan Aalhus, Fort St. John Community Corrections

* Claudine Klimaschek, Fraser Regional Correctional Centre

* Julie Muldoe, Gitxsan Child and Family Services

* Nathan Caller, Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre

* Tristan Gough, Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre

* John Guizzo, Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre

* David Spencer, Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre

* Sandy Brown, Kelowna Community Corrections

* Allan Lessard, Nanaimo Correctional Centre

* Ben Atkinson, North Fraser Pretrial Centre

* Ryan Shiyoji, North Fraser Pretrial Centre

* Louis Liew, Coast North Shore Youth Probation

* Mike Cliffe, Penticton Community Corrections

* David Paruk, Port Alberni Community Corrections

* Michael Brooke, Prince George Regional Correctional Centre

* Sayler Hale, Prince George Regional Correctional Centre

* Tracy Harvey, Prince George Community Corrections

* Jason Leslie, Prince George Regional Correctional Centre

* Monika Scharmann, Prince George Youth Custody Services

* Dillon Halter, Strategic Youth Justice Branch

* Melanie Sauvé, Strategic Youth Justice Branch

* Brenda Everett, Surrey Pretrial Services Centre

* Joyce Oates, Surrey Pretrial Services Centre

* RuthAnn Penner, Surrey Pretrial Services Centre

* Angeline Varan, Surrey Pretrial Services Centre

* Ellen McLeod, Surrey North Community Corrections

* Gurpreet Grewal, Surrey Youth Probation

* Dan Rai, Surrey Youth Probation

* Barb Curran, Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre

* Matt Hawes, Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre

* Baljinder Johal, Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre

* Cindy Field, Vernon Community Corrections

* Shelagh Wallace, Youth Justice Program Support

Corrections Exemplary Service First Bar for 30 years

* Eileen Johnston, Alouette Correctional Centre for Women

* Terrence MacKenzie, Alouette Correctional Centre for Women

* Nancy Lewis, Okanagan Correctional Centre

* Cory Mann, Prince George Youth Custody Services

* Ted Leonard, Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre

* Wyatt McNulty, Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre

Corrections Exemplary Service Second Bar for 40 years

* Leonard Cervo, Fraser Regional Correctional Centre