Clay County native inducted into IDOC Hall of Honor

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

CARLISLE --   A Clay County native has been inducted into the inaugural class of the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) Hall of Honor! 

Among the 11 honored was the first Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) Assistant Superintendent of Operations, the late Ron Batchelor.  “Batch” as he was affectionately called by many, dedicated 37 years of his life to the Indiana Department of Correction.  He was honored many times during his distinguished career but was most proud of his “International Correctional Supervisor of the Year Award” received in 1987. 

In his nomination text, WVCF Superintendent Richard Brown noted;  In an Operations Update he once presented the following views to staff: 

“The offenders we work with everyday, regardless of their crimes, are human beings.  When we refuse to acknowledge the basic humanity of those in our charge, we lose something essentially human in ourselves.  When we are unable to see that our worst day is better than an offenders best day, we have lost perspective.  I am not talking about pampering, coddling or babysitting offenders nor will I suggest we relax discipline, security or vigilance.  I also know how demanding some offenders can be.  What I am talking about is listening .  Remember, inmates are not an interruption to our work, they are the reason for our work.” 

He realized the importance of staff recognition and implemented Employee Appreciation Week at WVCF.  Batch passed away June 5, 2002. 

​The Hall of Honor ceremony  was held at the Correctional Training Institute in New Castle, with Commissioner Bruce Lemmon delivering the keynote address.  The first ever Hall of Honor celebration was attended by many; including several members of the Department’s Executive Staff, retirees, and family members of the inductees, including Ron’s wife Sharon.