Director's Message

We welcome 2026 with optimism, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility. Over the past year, we made meaningful progress toward several of our organizational goals, and I could not be prouder of the dedication shown across every level of the Department.

As many of our colleagues with decades of institutional knowledge prepare for retirement, we continue working diligently to strengthen staffing through recruitment and professional development. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities, and thanks to your commitment, we are meeting them head-on. These efforts directly support our continued, unwavering focus on rehabilitation within our institutions.

While the divisions of Administration, Institutions & Operations, Rehabilitative Services and Community Services each carry distinct responsibilities, we are united by one overarching mission: rehabilitation. The reality is that 97% of the individuals entrusted to our care will return to our communities. That truth guides our work every single day. Alongside our partner agencies, it is our duty to ensure they leave with the skills, tools, and resources necessary to succeed. When they succeed, our communities are safer and stronger.

As we reflect on 2025, there is much to recognize and celebrate:

• RIDOC secured $1.7 million in federal funding to expand Correctional Industries programming, adding an embroidery shop, print shop, and laser engraving services. We also received a federal grant to upgrade our fleet, resulting in the addition of 19 new vehicles.
• We launched STRIDOC (Strategic Tracking, Reviewing and Identifying of Data to Optimize Corrections), providing leadership with real-time data to inform decision-making. Discipline, Restorative Housing Program (RHP), and incident data are now incorporated into the CompStat model, strengthening accountability and transparency.
• A Department Wellness Committee was established, along with sub-committees focused on supporting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of our staff. Their efforts have already brought valuable programming and events to our workforce.
• The RIDOC Supervisor and Management Institutes were created as part of the Leadership Academy, with graduates earning college credit; an investment in both our people and the future of this Department.
• The Last Mile program at the John J. Moran Medium Security Facility celebrated its first graduating cohort, equipping incarcerated individuals with computer coding skills that open doors to careers in technology and long-term success.

Each of these accomplishments reflects your hard work, innovation, and commitment to our Mission.

Looking ahead, our Strategic Plan remains our roadmap. It outlines clear, measurable goals that will guide us through 2029. The progress reports delivered by staff across all units demonstrate just how much can be achieved when we work together with purpose and accountability. I encourage you to review the Strategic Plan Progress Report to see the collective impact of your efforts.

As we move into 2026, I do so with confidence in this team. The work you perform every day is demanding, often unseen, and sometimes underappreciated, but it matters deeply. It matters to the individuals in our care, to their families, and to the communities we serve.

Please know this: I see your commitment. I value your service. And I stand with you. As hard as you work to advance our mission, I will continue working just as hard alongside you, never taking your dedication for granted.

Together, we will continue moving this Department forward.