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| Williams longest serving secretary in NM history |
| By Jim Montalto, News Editor |
| Published: 03/05/2008 |
Joe R. Williams has become the longest-serving corrections secretary in New Mexico’s history after recently completing his fifth year of service.
He has been head of the NMDOC since Governor Bill Richardson appointed him to the post in 2003.In addition to surpassing 12 predecessors with his tenure, Williams has also exceeded the national average regarding length of time served. According to the Association of State Correctional Administrators, the average time for corrections directors is a little more than three years. The ASCA also lists Williams as ninth in the United States for longest tenure. He says he is well aware of how significant this accomplishment is. “I never forget that the knife is right up against my throat, and if I stub my toe—it’s off with the head,” Williams said in a statement. He says he continues to enjoy his job and plans to work until “someone tells me not to.” Williams has been noted for achieving accreditation in 2007 by the American Correctional Association for all NMDOC correctional facilities, and its central office, training academy, corrections industries, and probation and parole department. According to the NMDOC website, the agency is among only a handful of states that have earned this distinction. The Secretary as also made it a priority to train all employees on emergency preparedness and use-of-force procedures, and equip COs with stab-proof vests, handcuffs, pepper spray, and radios. He created new positions so the department could be more responsive to offender families and crime victims, and he established a non-smoking and tobacco-free environment for the prisons and department offices. Williams also ensured that every prison had a staff workout. He says a top priority for 2008 is implementing initiatives that will improve the lives of incarcerated women as they prepare to return to their communities. Williams has 26 years of experience, most of them with the NMDOC. Joe R. Williams has become the longest-serving corrections secretary in New Mexico’s history after recently completing his fifth year of service. Williams has been head of the NMDOC since Governor Bill Richardson appointed him to the post in 2003. In addition to surpassing 12 predecessors with his tenure, Williams has also exceeded the national average regarding length of time served. According to the Association of State Correctional Administrators, the average time for corrections directors is a little more than three years. The ASCA also lists Williams as ninth in the United States for longest tenure. He says he is well aware of how significant this accomplishment is. “I never forget that the knife is right up against my throat, and if I stub my toe—it’s off with the head,” Williams said in a statement. He says he continues to enjoy his job and plans to work until “someone tells me not to.” Williams has been noted for achieving accreditation in 2007 by the American Correctional Association for all NMDOC correctional facilities, and its central office, training academy, corrections industries, and probation and parole department. According to the NMDOC website, the agency is among only a handful of states that have earned this distinction. The Secretary as also made it a priority to train all employees on emergency preparedness and use-of-force procedures, and equip COs with stab-proof vests, handcuffs, pepper spray, and radios. He created new positions so the department could be more responsive to offender families and crime victims, and he established a non-smoking and tobacco-free environment for the prisons and department offices. Williams also ensured that every prison had a staff workout. He says a top priority for 2008 is implementing initiatives that will improve the lives of incarcerated women as they prepare to return to their communities. Williams has 26 years of experience, most of them with the NMDOC. |
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I have been a family advocate for prisoners families for years in another state and am anxious to learn about the system in NM and what I can do in NM
Secretary Williams gives all New Mexican Detention and Corrections professionals a bar to aspire to. Given our history, especially in light of the 1982 tragedy, stabilization and encouragement are always appreciated. Such alcolades also speak highly of our governor.