Diane Shingler

Diane Shingler, a correctional counselor at St. Marys Correctional Center, works with inmates accused of domestic violence.

"I work with the batterers, and it's a challenge every day," said Shingler. "Many of them have the type of personalities where they feel they have to exert power and control over people. But I know many of them have the power to change for the better."

A small tree was displayed near the clothesline project adorned with 23 paper butterflies, representing the 23 people who died last year in West Virginia because of domestic violence. The display was part of a community awareness project, created by the inmates at St. Marys Correctional Center, Shingler said.

Diane Shingler, correctional counselor at St. Marys Correctional Center, said the inmates are helping make displays and ribbons for domestic violence awareness activities.

"Families' lives are destroyed whenever domestic violence occurs in the home," Shingler said.

She is organizing a candlelight vigil at the Pleasants County Courthouse at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18.

"People need to be aware of the situation," she said.

Sheila Washburn, COFI representative, and Diane Shingler, corrections counselor with the St. Marys Correctional Facility, attended the county meeting as well as city meetings in Belmont and St. Marys asking for the declaration.
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"The prisoners at the St. Marys facility raised funds last year for the COFI house visitation room," Shingler said."Part of the correction facility program is a reinvestment program for the prisoners to relate back to the community."

The program challenges the prisoners to do more than just raise money, and to find other ways to develop a program or relationship in the community.

Shingler has been working with the Pleasants County Girls and Boys Club in developing an essay and poster contest.It is her hope the winner of the essay contest will share the essay at a candlelight vigil being held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Veterans Park beside city hall on Second Street.