News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2026

Commissioner Richards Appoints Margaret Egan as First Deputy Commissioner

Ms. Egan is a veteran in the field of criminal justice

EAST ELMHURST, NY — New York City Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards appointed Margaret (Meg) Egan as First Deputy Commissioner effective March 2, 2026. In this role, Ms. Egan will oversee and support the Commissioner’s executive team leading the work to develop and transition the Department to its future state, creating a smaller, safer jail system centered on care for people now, and into the borough-based jail system.

“Meg has devoted the majority of her extensive career to community-based public safety initiatives and criminal justice reform centered on reducing our reliance on and improving conditions in jails and prisons,” said NYC Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards. “Her dedication to the health and safety of people impacted by carceral systems will be vital to her role as the First Deputy Commissioner of this Department.”

“I am deeply honored that Commissioner Richards has appointed me to this role and charged me with this critical work,” said NYC Department of Correction First Deputy Commissioner Egan. “The work of reforming the City’s jails will not happen overnight, but I am committed to doing the work necessary to ensure that our jails are safe and all in our care, both people in custody and staff, are not just supported but have meaningful opportunities to thrive.”

Prior to joining the Department, 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 also served as Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart in Chicago, IL.

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.

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The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.