S.C. prisons official takes Iraqi job

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.wcnc.com/news/southcarolina/stories/011605cckkWCNCofficial.1493a2ac.html
(On edit: Free subscription service)
03:06 PM EST on Sunday, January 16, 2005

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — After 35 years with the South Carolina Corrections Department, Ken McKellar will try to teach what he knows to prison wardens in Iraq.

McKellar, 56, was picked for the position by the U.S. Justice Department. For the next year, the former operations coordinator for South Carolina's prisons will join other administrators in teaching basic procedures while creating a safe and humane environment for inmates and keeping the surrounding public safe from prisoners, he said.

"He has a heart for employees who work in corrections and a heart for inmates who want to turn their lives around," South Carolina Corrections Department director Jon Ozmint said.

McKellar started out as a correctional officer at MacDougall Youth Correctional Center and served as a warden at Central Correctional Institution Reception and Evaluation Center and Manning and Kirkland correctional institutions.

"He's a real hands-on guy," Ozmint said.

McKellar's family, including wife, Barbara, plans to stay in South Carolina and meet up with him every few months when and where they can all meet.

"He's so enthusiastic that we can't help but feel the same way," Barbara McKellar said. "We will miss him. ... Our goal is to stay as busy as possible until he gets back."

When he does come home, McKellar's bosses say they'll try to find a place for him.
<snip>