New County Corrections Boss Now On The Job

September 5, 2018

Tuesday was the first day on the job for William R. Powell, Escambia County’s new director of Corrections. He responsibilities include oversight of the Escambia County Jail, Community Corrections Division and Road Prison

Powell joined Escambia County from Orlando where he served as correctional major at the Orange County Corrections Department.

In his previous job, Powell directed and managed the general operation of seven facilities with an average population of over 3,500 inmates. Powell was responsible for the security operations division, which provides direction and management of the general operation of all correctional facilities in Orange County, Florida. His responsibilities included staff management, development and implementation of policies and procedures, fiscal management, care, custody and control of inmate environments to ensure compliance with all federal, state, county and department regulations.

Prior to serving as a correctional major, Powell served as the chief of the prisoner administration and security sections of the Joint Forces European Army Confinement Facility from 1998 to 2004. He also served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1998 as a nuclear surety military policeman, desk sergeant patrol operator, confinement supervisor, maximum security shift supervisor and field recruiter.

Powell obtained a Master of Human Relations degree from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Criminal Justice and a Master of Management from Troy University. He is a Certified Jail Manager with the American Jail Association and a Certified Corrections Executive with the American Correctional Association.

Powell was selected from a pool of 86 applicants for the director of corrections position after a thorough selection process.

The selection committee of Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown, Escambia County Assistant Administrator Matt Coughlin, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons, First Judicial Circuit Trial Court Administrator Robin Wright, Orange County Corrections Department Chief Cornita A. Riley, and Florida Sheriff’s Association Jail Services Coordinator Isaiah Dennard narrowed the list down to five finalists, ranking Powell as the top candidate.

Comments

4 Responses to “New County Corrections Boss Now On The Job”

  1. Bob on September 7th, 2018 3:40 am

    Well now the county running the jail sure made sense. I can’t imangine Sheriff’s Office ever running it this good! How much does the jail actually cost cost vs when the Sheriff ran it? Hmmm? Oh and little thing called blowing it up and having to buy a new one! How many jail directors have they been through since county took over? I count 5! Great job BOCC! Maybe you should have put that 10 million in the jail instead of the airport!

  2. Gman on September 6th, 2018 6:20 am

    Should we start a pool to see how long he lasts before the county runs him off like so many before him?

  3. Maggie on September 5th, 2018 8:30 am

    My goodness his qualifications are outstanding! Extensive education and experience. Good luck to him in his new endeavor, it’s a tough career field.

  4. Uncle M on September 5th, 2018 7:46 am

    Seems odd that somebody from his department in Orange County was also on the selection committee. I guess the good old boy system is state wide.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News