February 2, 2006
Three new Superintendents to lead DOC
correctional centers
Leaders’ backgrounds in the corrections
field together span more than a half-century
MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin
Department of Corrections Secretary Matthew Frank today announced new
Superintendents have been selected to lead three minimum-security
correctional facilities in Milwaukee.
“I am extremely pleased
that these three very talented and highly professional individuals have
taken these management roles in the Department,” Secretary Frank said.
“They will be fine leaders, fulfilling our agency’s mission of public
safety while advancing our emphasis on successful reentry of offenders
from prison back into our communities, including the Milwaukee area.”
Deborah Chambers began
as Superintendent of the Milwaukee Women's Correctional Center (MWCC) on
Dec. 11, 2005. On Feb. 5, Sharon Williams starts as Superintendent of
Marshall E. Sherrer Correctional Center (MSCC), and Floyd Mitchell starts
as Superintendent of Felmers O. Chaney Correctional Center (FCCC).
“While serious and
violent offenders need to be locked up for a very long time, the majority
of offenders will some day return to our communities after they complete
their prison sentence,” Secretary Frank said. “Our three minimum-security
correctional centers in Milwaukee house hundreds of male and female
offenders every year in their last months of incarceration before they
complete their prison sentence and are released to the community. While a
primary focus of the centers is on job experience and employment readiness
through work-release programs, the centers also focus on treatment,
education, community service and other programs that help prepare
offenders for their return to the community. The public is best served if
these offenders are not only held accountable for their crimes, but also
have the chance to become successful in the community after their return
from prison, resulting in fewer new crimes, fewer new victims, fewer tax
dollars spent on the criminal justice system and safer neighborhoods.”
Deborah Chambers, who
attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has 19 years of
correctional experience. She started out as a Correctional Officer at
Taycheedah Correctional Institution (TCI) in 1987 before she moved to the
position of Youth Counselor at Ethan Allen School (EAS). In 1990, she was
appointed Sergeant at the MWCC and became Assistant Superintendent in
1997. Chambers was appointed Superintendent of MSCC in September 2001. She
had been Superintendent at the Sturtevant Transitional Facility (STF)
since September 2003. She replaces former Superintendent Diane Williams,
who is retiring. One of the offender programs at MWCC includes the
alternative to prison program for female offenders established as a
judicial sentencing option.
Sharon Williams’ career
in corrections dates to 1980, where she started out as a Probation and
Parole Agent in Milwaukee. In 1999, she promoted to Corrections Field
Supervisor, developing a community advisory board and participating on a
victim’s committee in addition to her supervisory duties. She has been a
member of the Wisconsin Parole Commission since 2001. Williams has a
bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Floyd Mitchell began
his career in corrections in 1991 and served as a Youth Counselor, Social
Worker and Supervising Youth Counselor at EAS. In 2000, he became Captain
at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF). Prior to his
appointment at FCCC, he was Security Director at MSDF. He attended the
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, specializing in Criminal Justice and
Sociology.
Both Williams and
Mitchell will replace Tom Vanden Boom, who had been overseeing both
facilities prior to his retirement.
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02/02/2006
