(BOP) - Each year, the Attorney General (AG) recognizes Department of Justice employees for their exceptional achievements, leadership, heroism, and distinguished public service. In 2022, Jennifer Samonte-Rillo, Psychology Technician at FCC Lompoc (CA), received the AG's Award for her outstanding work as a new employee at the Bureau of Prisons.
The Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department's mission by an employee with fewer than five years of Federal career service.
Ms. Samonte-Rillo began her career with the Bureau in 2019. In 2020, she developed and implemented new programs and tracking systems for Psychology, First Step Act (FSA) and COVID-related issues. She developed a self-help programming system, which provides education and treatment opportunities for inmates in the Special Housing Unit. This highly utilized program has received an abundance of positive feedback from both inmates and staff. Her innovative ideas led to the implementation of tracking rosters for the Psychology Services Department, and other departments have found them beneficial in assisting with FSA compliance. Within a tight timeframe, Ms. Samonte-Rillo entered psychology-related data for over 2500 inmates as stipulated by FSA requirements, and she assisted other departments in reviewing and entering data prior to set deadlines. In the height of the pandemic, she made sure to keep well-informed of any and all updates and changes to policies and procedures due to COVID-19; and ensured tracking protocols for COVID-19 testing and quarantine periods were maintained in accordance with the Bureau's COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan.
Ms. Samonte-Rillo continuously demonstrated a positive attitude and teamwork mentality while dealing with constant challenges due to COVID-19 restrictions and staff shortages, including frequent schedule changes, mandatory overtimes, and working in the isolation and quarantine units. When performing correctional officer duties, she demonstrated good clinical judgment and safety/security awareness in writing incident reports and conducting shakedowns. When assigned to the isolation unit, Ms. Samonte-Rillo utilized her effective communication skills to address inmate concerns. For example, she demonstrated impressive calm and skill in managing a crisis with an actively psychotic inmate who was engaging in self-harm.
Ms. Samonte-Rillo's positive attitude, exemplary work ethic and productivity, and her commitment to excellence in support of the Bureau's mission, even as a "new" employee, distinguishes her as a valued member of FCC Lompoc, the BOP, and the Department. For these reasons and more, Ms. Samonte-Rillo is a sterling example of Bureau excellence and is well deserving of this recognition and award.