I believe that mentoring staff is the most important job of a leader. The success of the individuals under our care depends on having engaging, respectful, honest, and professional staff — and that success contributes to public safety, which is our ultimate mission.

My new role as Gender Responsive Administrator was created to expand possibilities for more successful reentry for women. Data has shown that when we classify women with the same tools that we use for men, we overclassify them. Evidence shows that women’s pathways to crime are often tied to domestic violence, sexual abuse, and even trafficking. Their pathway is often out of desperation and a feeling of powerlessness. So it would stand to reason that finding progressive programming that specifically speaks to their needs may allow more success stories and would impact generational incarceration. Our goal is to do cutting-edge work that is always gender-responsive and trauma-informed.