CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT APPOINTED AT CORRECTION

Carolyn Thomas, a 24-year veteran of the Department, was promoted to Chief of Department, the agency's highest uniformed rank, effective Monday, March 17.  The Chief of Department oversees the daily operations of all department facilities and supervises the Department's four bureau commands: Facility Operations, Custody Management, Administration, and Environmental Health and Safety.  Chief Thomas had previously served as Bureau Chief, Environmental Health and Safety, from January 2005.
 
"Carolyn Thomas is a leader whose career has been marked by achievement and results," said Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn.  "She brings to her new position a vast knowledge and experience of the agency and the same can-do spirit that she has evidenced throughout her career.  I look forward to working with her as we continue to improve agency operations."

Chief Thomas began her career as a Correction Officer in 1981.  Following promotions to senior ranks, including as executive officer of the work release program for women, executive officer of the Department's home detention program and as tour commander for the Department's Inspectional Services and Compliance Division, she was promoted to Deputy Warden in-Command in 1998.  In that rank she served as executive assistant to the Chief of Department.  Promoted to Warden in 2001, she served as Warden of the Brooklyn Detention Complex, the Rose M. Singer Center women's facility on Rikers Island and later, as Warden of the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island, where she began her career as a correction officer.  In 2003, she was promoted to Assistant Chief, Rikers Island Operations.  In that capacity she was responsible for management oversight of all Rikers Island facilities as well as perimeter security operations. 

 In January 2005, Thomas was promoted to Bureau Chief, Environmental Health and Safety, where she managed five operational divisions; Support Services, Storehouse, Environmental Health, Maintenance Resources, and the Nutritional Services Divisions.  During her tenure as Bureau Chief, the Department achieved substantial compliance with a federal court order on environmental conditions of the City's jails. 

 Chief Thomas has a B.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.