Hi! I’m Tonja Marie Smith-Burks and I am a Correctional Major at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Rankin County. I am a 25-year veteran of the agency as I have served since 1997. I have been trained and inspired by some of the best employees within the MDOC.

I enjoy using my experience and foresight to proactively address details of situations before a problem arises.  I have been entrusted with several vital positions, including numerous years with Support and Special Services, Youthful Offender Unit, Correctional Investigative Division as Evidence and Security Threat Group Coordinator.

My current duties as Liaison Hospital Chief of Security include coordinating security supervision for offenders treated by area hospitals and clinics and allowing only authorized personnel into the MDOC Specialty Care Clinic and Holding Tank entrance and exit points. I ensure that all offenders are in proper restraint gear and, in leading a staff of seven employees, I make sure a security escort accompanies every offender. I ensure policies are followed when dealing with different levels of offenders, emergency procedures, scheduling of contract officers, and I am responsible for conducting inspections and security check for offsite security of offenders admitted to hospitals.

I sought employment with MDOC after observing so many unfair and unacceptable ethical violations on human beings and their rights during court proceedings. I educated myself about the criminal justice system and was intrigued in knowing exactly what occurs following judgements imposed during sentencing.

I enjoy enforcing institutional policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment. The challenges of working in a diverse environment is very appealing, where I have the opportunity to help people change their behaviors through providing discipline and stability by being fair, firm, and consistent.

Some of the best parts of my employment include the guaranteed overtime hours, flexibility of work schedules, paid sick, holiday and accrued compensatory time.

I believe working for MDOC can be beneficial to others with job stability, promotional advancement opportunities, and with a great pay salary.