Leadership at DOC

Stanley Richards - Commissioner

Stanley Richards was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction in February 2026.

Commissioner Richards is a formerly incarcerated man with decades of experience in the criminal justice field. He previously served as president and CEO of The Fortune Society, where he helped individuals successfully return to the community after incarceration and advanced alternatives to incarceration.

Commissioner Richards first joined The Fortune Society in 1991 as a reentry counselor and rose through the nonprofit’s ranks over the course of his career. In recognition of his commitment to supporting individuals impacted by the justice system, Commissioner Richards was named a Champion of Change by the Obama administration.

Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Richards served as First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction, becoming the first formerly incarcerated individual to hold a senior leadership role within the agency. He was also the first formerly incarcerated person appointed to the New York City Board of Correction.

Commissioner Richards earned his A.A. from Medaille College and pursued his B.A./M.P.H. from Hunter College. He was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation fellow in the Developing Leadership Program to Reduce Substance Abuse and completed Columbia University’s Institute for Nonprofit Management Executive Program.

 

Margaret (Meg) Egan – First Deputy Commissioner

Margaret (Meg) Egan was appointed First Deputy Commissioner in March 2026.

Ms. Egan is an accomplished leader with expertise in strategic, systems-level change. Her work has focused on community-based public safety initiatives and criminal legal system reform centered on decarceration and improving conditions in jails and prisons.

Most recently, Ms. Egan served as Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Prison Association. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Fountain House, where she worked to improve health outcomes for people with serious mental illness, and as Executive Director of the New York City Board of Correction, the oversight body for the City’s jail system.

She has also held senior roles at the City University of New York (CUNY) and the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) and served as Assistant Secretary for Public Safety to the Governor of New York. In addition, she led criminal justice reform and violence reduction strategies for the Cook County Board President and jail conditions reform strategies for the Cook County Sheriff in Cook County, Illinois.

Ms. Egan earned a JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, an MA in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, an MA in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and a BA from the University of Wisconsin.

Sherrieann Rembert - Chief of Department

Sherrieann Rembert was appointed Chief of Department in March 2026.

In this role, Chief Rembert will serve as the liaison with external stakeholders, government agencies and community organizations. She will coordinate interagency efforts, provide oversight of the Department’s administration and operational functions and assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.

Chief Rembert has held a variety of senior leadership roles within the Department of Correction, most recently serving as Bureau Chief/Chief of Staff (2024–2026) and Assistant Chief of Administration (2021–2024).

Prior to joining the Department, Chief Rembert was a member of the Armed Forces Reserve and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She began her career with the Department as a correction officer in 1997, with her first assigned command at the James A. Thomas Center (JATC). In October 2005, she was promoted to captain and transferred to the George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC). In 2016, she was transferred to the Chief of Department’s office as an executive officer. Recognized for her dedication and work ethic, she was promoted to deputy warden in 2017 and assigned to the Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC). Beginning in 2019 she served as Acting Warden of the Criminal Justice Bureau, overseeing all court commands and the Transportation Division. She was promoted to Warden of the Criminal Justice Bureau in February 2020.

Chief Rembert holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Southern New Hampshire University, a Bachelor of Science in Correction Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services from New York City Technical College.

Jean-Claude LeBec – Senior Deputy Commissioner

Jean-Claude LeBec was appointed Senior Deputy Commissioner for Administrative Operations in March 2026.

Mr. LeBec is an accomplished and dedicated public-sector executive with fifteen years of experience working in New York City government.

As Senior Deputy Commissioner for Administrative Operations, Mr. LeBec provides executive leadership over many of the agency’s internal operations and administrative functions.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. LeBec served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management, and as the citywide Lead Compliance Officer, where he managed a team focused on strengthening fiscal oversight and advancing operational performance across city agencies.

From 2018 to 2021, Mr. LeBec served the Department of Correction in several roles, including as Executive Director of ‘Raise the Age’ implementation, where he supported Horizon’s creation; Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives; and Senior Deputy Commissioner for Planning and Management.

Prior to joining the DOC, Mr. LeBec served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and as a Unit Head at the Office of Management and Budget. Mr. LeBec is a graduate of NYC Public Schools and a lifelong Brooklyn resident. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Urban Policy Analysis from the New School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.

America Canas – Chief of Staff

America Canas was appointed Chief of Staff in March 2026.

Ms. Canas has held leadership roles in New York City government for more than a decade, including Chief of Staff at the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, Senior Policy Advisor at the Mayor’s Office of Operations, and Director of Constituent Services at the Public Advocate’s Office. Ms. Canas is passionate about designing programs that drive systemic change.

Ms. Canas previously served as Department of Correction Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner. In that role, Ms. Canas strengthened the agency’s internal reform agenda by establishing a direct line of communication between front-line staff and the Commissioner, and by facilitating practical, solution-oriented discussions.

Ms. Canas also revamped facility tours, leveraging them as a tool to educate stakeholders about the Department’s important work.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Canas served as United Way of New York City’s Senior Vice President of Education Equity and Justice and Opportunity.

Ms. Canas earned two Master of Science degrees from S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook in Atmospheric Science and Technological Systems. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Baylor University in Physics and Environmental Studies.

James Boyd – Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Quality Assurance and Compliance

James Boyd was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Quality Assurance and Compliance in April 2026.

A veteran of the Department of Correction, he has led multiple divisions, including Strategic Operations, Public Information, Internal Communications, and Grievance/Constituent Services, where he and his team modernized and streamlined the entire grievance process.

Mr. Boyd is an experienced and effective leader with nearly two decades of experience in city government. He has also held leadership roles at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services and began his public service career as a New York City Correction Officer. He has also served as Senior Advisor of Engagement and External Affairs in the Mayor’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, working with senior City Hall officials and partner agencies to support the city’s migrant response, including intergovernmental and external affairs, advocacy, operations, and community engagement.

Deputy Commissioner Boyd will report directly to the First Deputy Commissioner and oversee the units of Environmental Health, Health Affairs, Policy and Compliance, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (P.R.E.A.) unit.

Mr. Boyd holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Nell Colón - Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Community Partnerships

Nell Colón was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Community Partnerships in December 2024.  

Prior to this role, she served as the Associate Commissioner of Program and Community Partnerships where she evaluated the performance and quality of programs delivered by the division, community partners, and contracted service providers. Ms. Colón ensured compliance with internal and external stakeholders, including the NYC Board of Correction, The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and the Nunez Monitoring team. She has over 15 years of experience in social and human services including working as a teacher and mental health therapist. She joined the Department of Correction as an Associate Correctional Counselor assigned to GRVC providing social services and group programming to persons in custody. Over her tenure with the agency, she earned seven promotions through the ranks of Counseling Supervisor of EMTC and RMSC, Deputy Director, Director, Executive Director, Assistant Commissioner, Associate Commissioner, and now Deputy Commissioner.
 
In this role, Ms. Colón will report directly to the First Deputy Commissioner and oversee all mandated and non-mandated services and programs afforded to individuals in the Department’s care. She will establish performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, recommend procedural and programmatic improvements, and lead the planning and design of research and program evaluation initiatives across the department.

Ms.Colón earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy from Columbia College of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University.

James Conroy – Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters/General Counsel

James Conroy was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters/General Counsel in August 2024.

Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Conroy served as an attorney with the New York City Police Department for 25 years. He began his career litigating cases aimed at closing commercial establishments that fostered illegal activity. He later co-founded a unit assigned to identify and mitigate the risk of civil liability stemming from police action. As Director of Litigation Support and Transparency, he supervised multiple teams tasked with the production of records for both civil and criminal discovery. For over ten years, Mr. Conroy was an instructor for the NYPD’s Leadership Training Course for all newly promoted sergeants, lieutenants, and captains. He also gave lectures to federal, state, and local prosecutors’ offices regarding the NYPD Disciplinary System. His most recent role with the NYPD was Director of Public Safety, where he oversaw teams responsible for advising the Department on all legal issues relating to criminal matters.

In his role as General Counsel, Mr. Conroy oversees the Legal Division and serves as the key legal and policy advisor on all operational and administrative issues impacting the Department. Additionally, Mr. Conroy serves as the legal advisor to the executive staff and the Department, and is the primary liaison to other federal, state, and local government and law enforcement agencies, including the New York City Law Department, State and Federal prosecutors, the New York State Commission of Correction, and the New York City Board of Correction.

Mr. Conroy attended St. John’s University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of Touro Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor degree.

Kevin Doherty – Deputy Commissioner of Facilities Maintenance and Repair Division/Fleet Administration

Kevin Doherty was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Facilities Maintenance and Repair Division/Fleet Administration in November 2024.

Prior to this role, he was the Associate Commissioner of Facilities and Fleet Administration when he led contracting and budget management, including integrated capital planning and resource development. He managed the planning, development, and execution of departmental procedures for the maintenance, renovation, repair, and construction of all departmental facilities. Additionally, Mr. Doherty administered standard operating processes and procedures to ensure that the department has comprehensive response plans and written protocols for evacuation, fire safety, medical emergencies, and natural disasters.

As the Deputy Commissioner of Facilities Maintenance and Repair Division/Fleet Administration, Mr. Doherty will report directly to the First Deputy Commissioner and will lead a diverse workforce dedicated to facilities maintenance and repair, capital project/construction, and fleet administration. He will develop and implement a strategic framework to optimize resources and staff in maintaining DOC jail and non-jail facilities and will spearhead a preventative maintenance program, including service maintenance contracts, to ensure operational continuity across all DOC infrastructure, facilities, and mechanical equipment, even during unforeseen circumstances. Mr. Doherty will also oversee current and future capital design and construction projects for both jail and non-jail facilities. He will serve on the borough-based jails/outpost therapeutic hospital-based jail transition and steering committees.

Mr. Doherty's educational background includes earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from Pace University and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of New Haven. His combination of military service with the United States Coast Guard, education, and professional expertise has prepared him well for his current leadership.

Fritz Fragé - Deputy Commissioner of Special Investigations Unit

Fritz Fragé was appointed Deputy Commissioner in March 2026.

Prior to joining the New York City Department of Correction, he served as the Director of Public Safety for the City of Newark, New Jersey. In this role, he managed the police and fire divisions, the Office of Emergency Management, and Homeland Security. He successfully implemented policies and audits that transformed the culture of the police division, increasing accountability and operational efficiency. Mr. Fritz Fragé prioritized community engagement, fostering partnerships with stakeholders through training programs and encouraging precinct commanders to attend local meetings. Mr. Fritz Fragé also served for 25 years with the New Jersey State Police, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

In this role, DC Fragé will lead a team of Investigators engaged in conducting preliminary reviews of alleged incidents including allegations of undue familiarity, breaches of confidentiality and ethical practices, introduction of contraband, deaths in custody, violations of established security protocols. He will report directly to the Commissioner and have one Assistant Commissioner reporting directly to him.

Mr. Fritz Fragé is a graduate of Seton Hall University, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration and Human Resources.

Dr. Musa Elbulok - Deputy Commissioner of Office of Management Analysis and Planning (OMAP)

Dr. Musa Elbulok was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Office of Management Analysis and Planning (OMAP) in December 2025.

As the Deputy Commissioner of OMAP, Dr. Elbulok will oversee the in-depth analysis, reporting, and dissemination of statistics related to the agency’s goals and objectives. He will also oversee the preparation of management reports that provide detailed quantitative analyses of key statistical indicators monitored by the Mayor’s Office.

Prior to this role, Dr. Elbulok served as the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness & Strategic Planning in the Office of Institution Effectiveness and Analytics at Borough of Manhattan Community College. In that role, he evaluated the effectiveness of programs, policies and initiatives using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. He also developed predictive models using machine learning to provide insight into institutional goals, such as identifying risk factors for student attrition and enrollment forecasting. His professional experience also includes service as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at Columbia University.

Dr. Elbulok earned a Ph.D. in Measurement and Evaluation from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Brooklyn College, CUNY.

Patrick Gallahue – Deputy Commissioner of Public Information

Patrick Gallahue was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Public Information in November 2024.

Prior to this role, he was the Press Secretary for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he led the agency’s media relations during multiple public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, an mpox outbreak, a polio health emergency and the city’s largest measles outbreak in three decades. He has previously held communications roles with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the New York City Department of Correction and the Connecticut Secretary of State.

As the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, Mr. Gallahue oversees the agency’s media relations, social media accounts as well as internal and external websites and publications. Additionally, he contributes to the development of strategic initiatives for direct support service and staff training.

Mr. Gallahue is a graduate of Long Island University Brooklyn, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in East Asian Studies and a Master of Laws Degree in International Human Rights Law from the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Manu Goel – Deputy Commissioner of IT/Chief Information Technology Officer

Manu Goel was appointed Deputy Commissioner of IT/Chief Information Technology Officer in April 2024.

Prior to his appointment, DC Goel served as the Associate Commissioner of Enterprise Development & Architecture where he contributed to DOC’s technology strategy, managed the agency’s extensive portfolio of software applications, and had a forward-looking view on innovative ways to leverage technology to enable, engage and transform business capabilities and services. His prior professional experience includes serving as the Director of FireCAD and Technology Architecture at the New York City Fire Department where he was the primary technology architect for the agency’s effort to replace its legacy 40-year-old CAD system with a new custom-developed system built on modern technology and led several initiatives to help modernize the FDNY’s technology footprint. He was also the Chief Technology Officer at a boutique IT-consulting organization where he directed the company’s technology innovations as well as an ongoing enhancement of the infrastructure in aid of its business goals and operations.

In his role as Deputy Commissioner of IT/Chief Information Technology Officer, Mr. Goel will create strategic long and short-term plans with a focus on developing a comprehensive technology roadmap that balances immediate business needs while preparing for future growth and change. He will participate in policy and decision-making regarding resource allocation and future direction and control of proposed information systems; and oversee the agency’s IT efforts to manage data to support business intelligence and analytical efforts. Mr. Goel will develop and maintain a business continuity plan to ensure the resiliency of technology services against disasters, as well as ensure all systems, controls, and procedures are in place to maintain a robust cybersecurity posture. He will coordinate with the executive team and other senior leaders to ensure that IT and network infrastructures adequately supports the agency’s technology needs.

He has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Delhi University in India.

Solange N. Grey - Deputy Commissioner of Trials

Solange N. Grey was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Trials in May 2022. Ms. Grey has many years of experience in both civil and criminal litigation. Prior to this role, she was a Magistrate in New York County and Queens County Family Court, where she would hear and decide paternity, child, and spousal support cases. She worked as a Senior Staff Attorney at Lawyers For Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing individual advocacy to children in NYC’s Foster Care System and as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. She also taught paternity and child support law as a guest lecturer at St. John’s University in Queens for the past two years.
 
As the Deputy Commissioner of Trials, Ms. Grey will be responsible for directing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of all trials, which process the prosecution of all internal disciplinary matters brought against members of the uniform force.

Ms. Grey obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. She is also a member of various professional organizations such as the Nassau County Bar Association, the Queens Bar Association, and the Amistad Bar Association.

Charlton Lemon - Bureau Chief of Facility Operations and Security

Charlton Lemon was appointed Bureau Chief of Facility Operations and Security in March 2026.

He previously served as Assistant Chief of Security (2024–2026) and as Acting Assis-tant Chief (2021–2024). He began his career with the Department as a correction officer in 1987, assigned to the North Infirmary Command (NIC). In January 2001, he was pro-moted to the rank of captain and transferred to the George R. Vierno Center (GRVC).

Chief Lemon was subsequently promoted to Assistant Deputy Warden in April 2006 and Deputy Warden in 2011, and served in leadership roles for various facilities. In April 2015, Chief Lemon was promoted to Warden, where he oversaw commands including the George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC), Security Operations Division (SOD), Manhattan Detention Complex (MDC), and the Vernon C. Bain Center (VCBC). Chief Lemon has dedicated over 38 years of his life as a uniformed member of service and leader at the New York City Department of Correction. He has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Data Processing from New York City Technical College.

Yvonne Pritchett - Deputy Commissioner of Investigations

Yvonne Pritchett was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Investigations in August 2023.

Prior to this role, she was the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Investigations where she was responsible for performing highly confidential and sensitive work before transitioning to the Trials Division as an Associate Commissioner.

After her appointment as the Associate Commissioner of the Trials Division, DC Pritchett assisted the attorneys in eliminating the substantial backlog of Use of Force cases, as well as monitoring the preparation of cases for trial or settlement, mapped legal strategies for litigation of administration and disciplinary actions, and reviewed negotiated pleas and settlements. Ms. Pritchett has over 25 years of legal experience, including working as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, serving as a selected member of the 18-B Panel Defense Bar, and working as a Court Attorney to Supreme and Civil Court Judges.

As the Deputy Commissioner of Investigations, she will report directly to the Commissioner and will oversee the overall management of the department's investigations division. She will perform highly confidential and sensitive work in planning the start of departmental investigations. She will also be responsible for overseeing all facets of investigations and integrity control. She will serve as the liaison to the Departments of Investigation/Inspector General (DOI), the NYPD, and other law enforcement agencies.

Ms. Pritchett is a graduate of New York Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree. She received her Bachelor of Administration of Justice from Penn State University.

John M. Ward – Deputy Commissioner of Training and Development

John M. Ward was appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Training and Development in November 2024.

Prior to joining DOC, Dr. Ward was the Chief of Training and Academy of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission Police, where he was responsible for training new cadets, refresher/in-service courses and leadership training. He also served with the Ridgewood Police Department, where he rose through the ranks from police officer to chief of police. At that department, Dr. Ward led their law enforcement operations, criminal investigations, public safety communications, and the development and implementation of staff training programs.
 
In his role as Deputy Commissioner of Training and Development, Dr. Ward will be responsible for the management and support of all recruit training, as well as leadership development and promotional training for the department’s uniformed and non-uniformed staff.

Dr. Ward will develop and implement a comprehensive training strategy, incorporating an evaluation process to measure the effectiveness of knowledge and skill transfer to employees.
 
Deputy Commissioner Ward earned a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Farleigh Dickenson University and received his Doctor of Science in Civil Security Leadership, Management and Policy from New Jersey City University.

Dr. Stefanie Watkins-Nance - City Medical Director of Health Management Division (HMD)

Dr. Stefanie Watkins-Nance was appointed City Medical Director of Health Management Division (HMD) in October 2025.

As the Medical Director of HMD, Dr. Watkins-Nance partners with both uniformed and non-uniformed personnel to develop, coordinate, and implement a broad range of programs to support members of service. She directs a multidisciplinary team responsible for the administration, delivery, and review of employee medical and health services.

Prior to this role, Dr. Watkins-Nance served as a Colonel in the United States Air Force, in the role of Department Chair at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center in San Antonio, Texas. While there, she provided strategic, clinical, and administrative leadership for primary care patients in the United States Air Force’s largest treatment facility and sole ambulatory surgical center. There, she commanded services for over 67,000 enrolled patients and 265,000 beneficiaries, safeguarding the delivery of patient-centered and cost-effective care through collaborative partnerships across the military, before she retired after 21 years in the Air Force. Her extensive experience includes holding the positions of Chief Medical Officer, Chief of Operational Medicine at Air Force Defense Health Headquarters/Pentagon, and Executive Director of the Aerospace Medicine Squadron. Furthermore, Dr. Watkins-Nance led her medical squadron in Operation Allies Rescue to support 19 aeromedical missions arriving from Afghanistan in 2021, coordinating the Air Force’s largest airlift to secure the safe delivery of almost 1,200 patients to a higher level of medical care.

Dr. Watkins-Nance is a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine, where she earned a Doctor of Medicine. She also holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health. .

Ayinde Williams – Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources

Ayinde Williams was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources in September 2025.

Prior to this role, Mr. Williams served as the Associate Commissioner of Human Resources, where he managed staffing and certification, employee services, shield room/ID operations, compliance, workforce development, records management, and civil service reinstatements and restorations for uniformed staff. He also worked with the Finance division on budget and headcount reconciliation. Mr. Williams offers over 21 years of senior-level Human Resources experience, with a proven track record of driving organizational strategy and operational excellence. He joined the Department of Correction in 2015 as the Director of the Applicant Investigation Unit and has risen through the ranks.

In this role, he will oversee all Human Resource functions, including HR Operations, HR Administration, and the Applicant Investigation Unit. He will supervise one Associate Commissioner and provide strategic leadership to ensure alignment of HR initiatives with the Department’s priorities.
 
Mr. Williams is a graduate of Queens College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics.