It runs in the family at WVCF
Story by Julie Fletcher, Indiana State Personnel Department
For most, “how was your day” is a common after work discussion with family and friends. Many may not understand the complexities or nuances of a person’s work life but listen out of respect and appreciation.
But, for some, not asking about the workday is the norm. What is expected. What not to talk about. Because they do understand the complexity of the job.
Nestled south of Terre Haute, in Sullivan County and away from the hustle and bustle of the big city is Wabash Valley Correctional Institute (WVCF). This facility is a maximum and minimum security facility with a capacity of 2,200 incarcerated individuals.
Nearly 570 state employees work at the facility – jobs ranging from correctional officers to accountants to correctional caseworkers.
Jeff Stuppy and Kaylee Stuppy
Jeff Stuppy joined the Wabash team in 1997 as a Correctional Officer and is marking 26 years. He’s moved up in the ranks over the years and is currently a Correctional Lieutenant.
Jeff grew up in the area and initially applied to work at Wabash assuming it would be a brief stay until he found something else. Job stability and pay as well as good benefits have kept him there.
His current role is with Zone 5 - the restricted status housing area where he investigates grievances and complaints and works to resolve them. This is a segmented population housing approximately 72 male incarcerated individuals.
Outside of work, he enjoys hunting, golf and spending time with his daughter, Kaylee.
Kaylee, as Jeff describes her is strong-willed, which comes in handy in her role at WVCF.
Kaylee grew up hearing about her dad’s job – even knowing some of the staff. While she never saw the inside of the facility, she was always intrigued. After attending school in Evansville, she took the leap and applied for a job. She texted her dad that she was applying for a job at WVCF. She applied and was offered the position in November 2022.
“The door opened, and she ran through it,” says Jeff of the opportunity for Kaylee to join the team.
As a Correctional Caseworker, Kaylee helps prepare the incarcerated for re-entry into the community. In her role, she is assigned to a wing of a housing unit. Father and daughter typically don’t see each other during the day; however, she is comforted knowing he is close by.
She is a talker and would love to talk after hours about work with her dad. He on the other hand, is not and doesn’t want to talk shop. He prefers to leave it all at the facility. Though, he admits he is very protective of her and did give her advice when she started.
“I advised her to do your job well, don’t get wrapped up in games and ask questions if you don’t know the answer,” Jeff said.
That advice has served her well.
“The staff has welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “I love helping people, and I help them in a unique way.”
While Kaylee just marked her one-year anniversary, she does plan, like her dad, to someday retire from DOC and the state.
Frank and Frankie Busby
Another parent/child duo at WVCF is the Busbys. Frankie Busby is a Correctional Officer following in the footsteps of his father, Frank Busby.
Frank, with the Motorpool Unit at WVCF, has been there 23 years. He remembers talking to Frankie about applying for a position years ago when he was leaving the military.
A proud father, Frank has given some advice to him, especially in stressful situations.
“I feel proud to have (Frankie) follow in my footsteps,” he said. “Knowing that he has watched me and listened to all my stories and situations I have been involved in here at WVCF makes me so proud.”
He also says scheduling family functions is easier when you are familiar with each other’s schedules.
Frankie joined WVCF in 2019 after a career with law enforcement and the military. He tells the story of how he applied to WVCF and the local police department at the same time and DOC hired him first. He initially thought he’d end up at the police department but has remained at WVCF because he really likes the job, the pension and the benefits. Growing up he obtained a good sense of the job and felt that was an advantage to knowing what to expect.
“I’ve grown up around law enforcement,” he said. “Protecting and serving is really important to me.” He credits his time in the Army as giving him the skills to read people. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the military,” he said.
Frankie is part of the Canine Unit and is the Team Lead. He is an aggression handler and trains on it.
He and his dad previously worked the same shift and carpooled. “We absolutely don’t talk work,” he said of his conversations with his dad. Though, he says he has learned a lot from him. “He’s answered a lot of my questions, especially situational ones when I first started.”
While they no longer work the same shift, they do talk on the phone every morning.
Like others, Frankie has grown up in the Linton community and enjoys the team feeling at WVCF. “In the military, we had a brotherhood. It’s the same feeling here.”