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In 1985, shortly after graduating from VMI - where he also
spent four years as part of the Army Reserves Officers Training
Corps (ROTC) - he went to work for the New Jersey Department
of Corrections. He was hired as a program development specialist
in the department's Office of Human Resources.
"I was thinking about getting a job in Virginia, but
my dad told me about the advantages of working for the state,
particularly in terms of benefits," Hauck recalled.
Within 13 months, he became a hearing officer and later
a personnel officer. Then, in May of '87, he was assigned
to Mountainview for the first time. He was not the first
member of his family to work there; his mother, who died
when he was 12 and his brother, Bill, was 10, spent a brief
period working as a nurse at Mountainview.
Hauck remained at Mountainview until 1999. By then, he
had been promoted to assistant superintendent of the facility.
"I felt especially fortunate to be at Mountainview,
because of the proximity to where I grew up," he said.
"Considering the number of quality people in this department,
I was extremely honored to become an assistant superintendent."
His ascension, however, was not complete. Hauck spent five
years at Northern State Prison, the final four as associate
administrator. In May 2004, he became administrator of the
Central Reception and Assignment Facility (CRAF).
Last June, Hauck succeeded Joseph Rizzo as Mountainview
administrator. Rizzo, incidentally, moved into Hauck's position
as CRAF.
"It's been quite a ride," Hauck said with a chuckle.
The ride has been made easier by his brother, Bill (see
accompanying article), who has followed a similar career
path. "I might be an administrator, a husband and a
father, but my true claim to fame is that I'm Bill Hauck's
brother," he deadpanned.
Said the younger Hauck, the associate administrator at
nearby Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women: "I
consider Bruce my best friend and confidant. We talk every
morning and night -- not about the prisons but other issues
and events and, of course, family concerns.
"We always will look out for each other and keep each
other focused and on point. The only things you have in
life are family and friends, and with Bruce, I have both
in one. Everyone should have an older brother like I have
- someone who has a heart of gold and a general concern
for the well being of others."
More than a few of Bruce Hauck's co-workers heartily agree
with his brother's description of him.
"Knowing his work ethic - which a lot of us did, from
having worked with him before --makes it easy to work for
him," secretarial assistant Lorraine Hendershot said
of her boss. "It made for an easy transition. He fit
into this place like a hand fits into a glove."
If his staff appreciates Hauck, the feeling is mutual.
"In addition to the obvious, there is so much that
goes into running a facility - food service, maintenance,
educational programs," Hauck concluded. "The staff
has constant interaction with the inmate population over
the course of three shifts. I don't think the public realizes
the level of professionalism exhibited by correctional staff
24/7. But those of us who do this day in and day out certainly
do."
"The
honor code and sense of fairness I was taught at VMI has
stayed with me."
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The only prison for females in New Jersey, Edna Mahan has
it all - minimum, medium and maximum security housing, vocational
training, stabilization units, intake. In many ways, it
is similar to the men's prisons. However, there are differences
-- some obvious, some more subtle.
Growing up literally in the shadow of Edna Mahan, Hauck's
mother, a registered nurse, worked at both Clinton (Edna
Mahan) and neighboring Annandale (now known as Mountainview
Youth Correctional Facility), so entering the correctional
field was not a stretch for Hauck. Although his undergraduate
major was political science, his minor was criminal justice,
as was his master's degree. Longtime former Commissioner
William Fauver was a friend and neighbor, and Hauck credits
Fauver's guidance and advice for steering him into his chosen
career. Also acting as a mentor, Fauver provided Hauck with
many valuable lessons.
"He never lost his cool, never lost his focus"
Hauck says.
Former Acting Commissioner Gary Hilton, who had also been
the administrator of Edna Mahan, was "an operations
wizard, and knew how to run - and, yes, build - a prison,"
Hauck remarks.
Another major influence is Hauck's professional career
has been Edna Mahan Administrator Charlotte Blackwell, his
longtime supervisor.
"She's spent 18 years at the helm of Edna Mahan, passed
up promotions to stay at the institution," he notes.
"Now that's devotion."
One of the lessons he's learned throughout the years is
that corrections -- "the third level of law enforcement"
according to Hauck -- is not for everyone.
"The first level is the street officer, municipal
or state, who arrests the individual," he says. "The
second level is the court, which handles the sentencing.
We in corrections are the third, and arguably, the most
challenging level. While the police officer and judge spend
a limited amount of time with the accused, the corrections
professional will live with that inmate for months, years
and sometimes decades, which is why programming - be it
GED prep, upholstery, horticulture or Puppies Behind Bars
- assumes great importance. Inmates who spend their time
constructively here cause fewer problems in the prison and
greatly enhance their chances for success when they leave.
It's a win-win."
Having worked with both female and male offenders affords
Hauck insight into the different dynamics and unique problems
posed by both.
"Seventy-five percent of the women are mothers, and
essentially they run their homes from prisons," he
says. "Visit days, letters from home and telephone
calls are the only means by which these moms can interact
with their children. Their ties to home seem much stronger
than incarcerated fathers."
Family plays an important role in Bill Hauck's life as
well. Hunterdon County's other prison, Mountainview, is
run by Hauck's older brother, Bruce (see accompanying article).
"Along with my wife, Dawn, Bill is my best friend
in life," the elder Hauck says. "He has always
been there for our family and is the best uncle and brother-in
law in the world. He is very dedicated and generous to his
family, friends, job and church. He is comfortable in all
situations and can be counted on, especially in times of
crisis or emergency, to make appropriate decisions, provide
wise counsel and support, all with a great sense of humor."
Perhaps Blackwell, a longtime friend and co-worker, puts
it best. "Bill is one of the most energized individuals
I've ever met," the Edna Mahan administrator says.
"He provides and engenders a strong team presence in
the prison, and his responsiveness and insight are appreciated
by co-workers and the women in the prison as well. He takes
the issues of the offenders seriously and gives a great
deal of thought to their concerns. He doesn't limit himself
to administrative thoughts, processes and tasks. Rather,
he pitches in and works alongside line staff, routinely
and in emergent situations, and supports them in both thought
and action.
"He lives for his job," she adds, "and it
shows."
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