Last Thursday, the GEO Group, Inc. conducted the fourth and final Community Relations Meeting and Luncheon for the year at The Strand Theater in downtown Jena. Those in attendance were able to enjoy a holiday meal together while GEO’s Facility Administrator Shad Rice provided an update on the LaSalle ICE Processing Center.

Rice began by sharing that a new CEO was recently appointed over the GEO Group company.

“Brian Evans has been appointed. He has been an employee of our company for 23 years,” Rice shared. “He spent the last 14 years as our CFO. He is a fantastic guy who knows the company inside and out.”

Rice expressed that this appointment is a positive for the company, as Evans is a great asset to the Group.

In the way of facility news, Rice reported that they recently underwent the ACA (American Correctional Association) audit.

“The audit went extremely well,” Rice said. “For the first time ever, we received some of the highest scores we’ve ever received.”

Ricethentooktheopportunitytothankthoseat thefacility whohelpedcontributetotheauditand its positive outcome, specifically two employees. “There are two ladies in the room I want to acknowledge,” “Rice shared. “Lindsey Birch and Latoya Jackson. These two have put in a lot of work when it comes to file preparation… It is not an easy task. Kudos to them both and I really appreciate all of their work on that.”

During this quarter, the Group also finalized negotiations with the union, which resulted in a pay increase for facility staff.

“With those negotiations completed, I’m excited to say that the federal minimum wage has been put in place in the facility,” Rice explained. “The minimum starting wage at our facility will now be $16.20 per hour, which is a pretty incredible increase.”

Other positions at the facility received a 5% increase to pay, and the transportation staff received an increase of $5 an hour. Rice is hoping this will help with retention in those positions.

Rice then shared about upcoming events the facility is a part of, which includes another audit to be administered in January and preparations for the PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) certification, which is required.

As Rice reminded attendees, the facility and its staff are always looking for ways to get involved in the community. Just in the last month, the facility hosted a Thanksgiving food drive for members of the LaSalle Parish Council on Aging.

Lindsey Birch shared that this year, they were able to deliver 20 baskets to families in the community and loved to visit again since Covid had kept the staff from personally delivering the baskets for the past few years.

Rice shared that several staff members would soon be visiting the LaSalle Nursing Home to sing Christmas carols and deliver activity books to the residents.

“If any of you would like to join us and sing some Christmas carols, you’re welcome,” Rice said. “They will either get a good laugh or enjoy some entertainment at least.”

On December 7, several staff members will also be visiting LaSalle Headstart and deliver several gifts to the children there.

Traci Barber, LaSalle Headstart’s Center Supervisor was in attendance and shared her gratitude for Rice and the rest of the staff at the Processing Center for their partnership, especially this time of year.

“We appreciate y’all. A lot of those kids don’t receive many gifts at Christmas,” Barber shared. “So what you all do means a lot to our kids and means a lot to me, so thank you.”

Rice reminded those in attendance that the facility is always looking for more ways to become involved in the community.

“We want to be good neighbors,” Rice closed. “So give us a call if there is some way we can help.”