Leadership at DOC

Lynelle Maginley-Liddie - Commissioner

Lynelle Maginley-Liddie was sworn-in as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction on December 8, 2023.

Commissioner Maginley-Liddie most recently served as NYC DOC’s First Deputy Commissioner, appointed to that role in January 2021. Ms. Maginley-Liddie has been with the Department since 2015, as Agency Attorney in the Legal Division, and in April 2018 as Deputy General Counsel. In August 2020, she was promoted to Acting Senior Deputy Commissioner and Chief Diversity Officer. Ms. Maginley-Liddie advises on matters related to departmental operations, policy improvements, new initiatives, and legal issues. She supports staff at all levels of the Department.

Before joining the Department of Correction, Ms. Maginley-Liddie was an Associate at the law firm of Leader Berkon Colao & Silverstein LLP. She received her Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. She is licensed in New York and New Jersey and is admitted to the Eastern and Southern District Courts of New York, as well as the United States District Court of New Jersey. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Government from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Francis Torres - First Deputy Commissioner

Francis Torres was appointed First Deputy Commissioner in February 2024. 

Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Programs and Community Partnerships where she focused on the creation, implementation, and management of new educational, vocational, and programmatic opportunities for persons in custody while ensuring the well-being of staff. Ms. Torres has over 35 years of professional experience in the social services field. She joined the Department of Correction in 2002 as the Director of Educational Services and has risen through the ranks.
 
In this role, Ms. Torres will oversee and support the executive members leading care/wellness, facilities and fleet administration, health affairs, health management, programs and community partnerships, and the training and development division.

Ms. Torres earned her Master of Arts in Spanish Literature from the City University of New York.

Charles Daniels - Senior Deputy Commissioner

Charles Daniels was appointed Senior Deputy Commissioner in September 2023.

Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Daniels was the Director of the Nevada Department of Correction where he directed the agency’s day-to-day operations for all correctional institutions, administrative facilities, and correctional camps. He also served as the Deputy Commissioner for Operations at the Alabama Department of Corrections. Throughout his 34-year career in corrections, he has worked in many different capacities and is well-versed in violence reduction initiatives, executive leadership, reentry, emergency operations, and correctional management.

In his role, Mr. Daniels will assume the overall responsibility for the administration and management of all departmental facilities and field commands. He will act as the principal advisor to the Commissioner, offering technical expertise on all custodial and institutional policies. He will also be responsible for managing and guiding the Deputy Commissioner of Security, the Deputy Commissioner of Classification, Population Management and Facility Operations, The Deputy Commissioner of Administration, and their respective divisions.

Patrick Benn – Deputy Commissioner of Facilities and Fleet Administration

Mr. Patrick Benn was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Facilities and Fleet Administration in May 2023.

Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Benn was the Director of Engineering and Construction at the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) where he directed, coordinated, evaluated, investigated, and recommended plans, and changes in various construction and renovation activities. He also prepared the scope and estimate costs of projects proposed, developed and updated cost estimates, and analyzed the construction phase and operating schedule to assure timely completion of projects with minimal disruption to surrounding activities. Prior to HHC, he was the Director of Facilities at SODEXO where he was responsible for budgets, staffing, short and long-term planning, program development, policy, and procedures for all facilities.

In his role, Mr. Benn will oversee a diverse team in facilities maintenance and repair, capital project/construction, and fleet management. He will also be responsible for developing and executing a framework to manage and schedule resources and staff to maintain all DOC jail and non-jail facilities to meet the operation priorities and standards of jail facilities in a state compliant with regulatory standards and aligned with best practices.

Mr. Benn studied facilities engineering and business at SUNY Maritime College. He is a licensed NYC Engineer. He is a member of several engineering associations including HSENY and ASHRAE.

James Boyd – Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Operations

James Boyd was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Operations in April 2024.

Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Boyd served as the Senior Advisor of Engagement and External Affairs in the Mayor’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations. In that role, he worked closely with senior City Hall officials and agencies supporting the city’s migrant response and was responsible for supporting all intergovernmental affairs, external affairs, advocacy, operation logistics, and community engagement efforts. Before his role at the Mayor’s Office, Mr. Boyd served as DOC’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information overseeing the dedicated teams within the special projects, external and internal communications units, which followed serving as the Assistant Commissioner of Internal Communications. He also served as the Director of Constituent Services and was tasked with leading the agency’s plans to revamp the detainee grievance system. Under his leadership as the inaugural Director and then Executive Director of the newly created Office of Constituent and Grievance Services (OCGS), Mr. Boyd and his team were instrumental in revamping, streamlining, and modernizing the entire grievance and resolution tracking process. Mr. Boyd has held leadership positions at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and began his career in public service as a NYC Correction Officer.

In this role, DC Boyd will report directly to the Commissioner and will be responsible for overseeing the Division of Strategic Operations which includes the following units: Intergovernmental Affairs and Policy, Operations Research, Office of Preparedness and Resilience, Strategic Initiatives, and Policy and Procedures. He will leverage these units to support the department’s staff and operations. Mr. Boyd is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Ronald Brereton – Deputy Commissioner of Security Operations

Ronald Brereton was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Security Operations in May 2022.

Prior to joining DOC, DC Brereton served at the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). In his 33 years with DOCCS, Mr. Brereton progressively rose through the ranks from correction officer at Sing Sing Correction Facility to Superintendent at Lincoln Correctional Facility. Furthermore, he also held supervisory positions at Queensboro, Taconic, and Fulton Correctional Facility, as well as Edgecombe Residential Treatment Facility.

In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Brereton oversees the Special and Central Operations Division, the Operational Security Intelligence Unit, Correctional Industries Division, Office of Policy and Compliance, and the Fire Safety Unit. He is responsible for improving security operations across DOC commands and streamlining processes which reflect national correctional standards. In addition, he monitors the implementation of security practices for efficiency and sustainability with a concentrated effort to improve safety for incarcerated individuals and personnel.

He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justine from Mercy College, is a certified corrections manager and auditor with the American Correctional Association, and a member of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice and North American Warden’s Association.

Frank Dwyer – Deputy Commissioner of Public Information

Frank Dwyer was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Public Information in May 2023.

Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Dwyer served as Fire Department, City of New York’s (FDNY) Deputy Commissioner for Public Information and External Affairs. While in this position, Mr. Dwyer operated as chief spokesperson and led the agency’s mission-driven public safety agenda to reduce fires, deaths, and injuries to civilians. Notably, Mr. Dwyer was FDNY’s chief spokesperson throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw internal and external communications for the most successful recruitment and diversity campaign in FDNY history. Prior to his time in government, Mr. Dwyer worked at WNBC as a News Operations Manager and as an Assignment Editor from 2005-2008, where he won an Emmy for his role in breaking news coverage; and at NY1 as an Assignment Editor from 2002-2005. He began his career in journalism at WNBC in June 2001, working on the assignment desk.

In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Dwyer will oversee the 24/7 press office operations and manage all external and internal communications. He will also supervise various units including Strategic Communications, Digital Branding & Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, and Community Engagement for the department. Mr. Dwyer earned his B.A. in Mass Communication and English at Iona University (formerly Iona College).

Ronald Edwards - Deputy Commissioner of Administration

Ronald Edwards was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Administration in September 2022.

Prior to joining DOC, Mr. Edwards served as the Director of Corrections at the Hudson County Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation in New Jersey. While in this position, he oversaw the daily operations of a 2100-bed correctional and rehabilitation facility while managing 500 law enforcement officers, 150 support staff and 100 contracted employees. In his 29-year tenure in law enforcement, he also served as the Deputy Director, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Correction Officer and K-9 Handler at the Hudson County Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation.

In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Edwards will serve as the Department’s staffing manager and oversee the assignment and management of uniformed personnel. He will be responsible for managing a Roster Management Unit, which will monitor staff assignments, status, and scheduling in all facilities. He will also expand and implement policies and procedures to evaluate staff outages and staff placed on modified duty to create a staff assignment system that will ensure that all staff are appropriately deployed throughout each facility.

Mr. Edwards holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Science in Administration Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Manu Goel – Deputy Commissioner/Chief Information Technology Officer

Manu Goel was appointed Deputy Commissioner/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/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.

Lynn Grubiak - Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources

Lynn Grubiak was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources in October 2023.

Prior to this role, she was the Administrator of the New York office of Fenwick & West LLP, where she was responsible for staffing, recruitment, training, and retention, and served as a leader and resource on Human Resources policies and procedures while overseeing the daily workflow of the office.

Deputy Commissioner Grubiak’s experience also includes serving as the administrator of the New York office of McGuireWoods, LLP where she managed the New York office and supervised all staff, including outsourced personnel. She also previously served as the firm administrator for Cassin & Cassin, LLP.

As Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources, she will report directly to the Commissioner and will lead and oversee the comprehensive implementation of strategies that align with the department’s agenda and culture change initiatives. In addition, Deputy Commissioner Grubiak will manage all facets of Human Resources; including supervising three Assistant Commissioners, managing HR professionals and functions, providing strategic direction, and ensuring effective daily operations.

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, D.C. 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, 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.

James N. Saunders - Deputy Commissioner of Health Affairs

James N. Saunders Esq. was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Health Affairs in February 2023.

Mr. Saunders has over twenty-five years of experience working with municipal agencies in healthcare operations and healthcare compliance. Prior to his current role, he served as the Deputy General Counsel / Chief Health Care Compliance and Privacy Officer for the NYC Fire Department. He previously worked with NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) including Bellevue Hospital Center, Coney Island Hospital, and the H+H Central Office in various executive-level positions. In his last position at H+H, he served as the First Deputy Corporate Compliance Officer in the Office of Corporate Compliance (OHCC). In this role, he oversaw the daily operation of the OHCC and supported the Chief Compliance Officer’s efforts to identify and mitigate fraud, waste, and abuse across all of H+H’s clinical operations.

In his role as Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Saunders will be responsible for overseeing the coordination of health services for people in custody and improving current operations. In addition, he will work closely with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (H+H) to facilitate the delivery of safe and effective care to persons in custody.

He received his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University’s School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Mala Srinivasan - Deputy Commissioner of Budget and Finance

Ms. Mala Srinivasan was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Budget and Finance in September 2023.

Prior to joining DOC, Ms. Srinivasan served as the Executive Director of Budget Operations at the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) where she was responsible for monitoring all budgetary issues affecting programs across the Department of Social Services, Human Resources Administration, and the Department of Homeless Services. She provided direction and technical guidance for the budget preparation process and ongoing activities to senior leadership. Prior to this, Ms. Srinivasan was the Director of the Office of Budget Administration at the New York City Human Resources Administration and a Budget analyst for the New York City Office of Management and Budget.

In this role, Ms. Srinivasan will lead several critical business units covering budget management and planning, financial management and budget administration, expense budget, capital budget, financial services, and the central office of procurement. She will be responsible for preparing and managing the agency budget testimonies and briefing materials for all public hearings with the NYC Council, NYC Board of Correction, NYS SCOS, and all other oversight entities. She will also provide leadership and guidance to planning and forecasting activities in critical areas of expenditures including uniform and civilian overtime, headcount/convergence planning, civilianization, and headcount management.

Ms. Srinivasan is a graduate of Baruch College under City University of NY where she studied Master of Business Administration.

Joshua Young - Deputy Commissioner of Management Analysis & Planning

Joshua Young was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Management Analysis & Planning in April 2022. DC Young will be responsible for operational procedures and agency-wide policies that impact department operations as well as develop and assess budget and resource needs for critical department-wide programs, directing and overseeing in-depth analysis, reporting, and the dissemination of statistics related to the agency’s goals and objectives. furthermore, DC young will act as the department’s liaison with the mayor’s office and oversee and direct the preparation of management reports containing detailed quantitative analysis of key statistical indicators monitored by the mayor’s office.

DC Young has delivered large-scale transformation initiatives in every major branch of the criminal justice system. DC Young brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that includes; developing technological solutions and evidence based strategies to improve jail operations and services. Before joining the department, DC Young was the Deputy Senior Vice President of Justice Initiatives for the Center for Policing Equity (CPE). DC Young was responsible for strategic planning, leading cross-functional initiatives, organizational design, and change management in this position.

Mr. Young also served as a police supervisor, SWAT Operator, and Undercover Detective in Southern California. DC Young was the first known line-level police officer to successfully integrate a major randomized controlled trial (RCT) within a policing organization. This mega-study was one of the largest multi-site RCTs in the history of criminal justice research.

DC Young graduated with a master’s degree in Applied Criminology and Police Management from The University of Cambridge (U.K.). He is also an Executive Fellow at the National Police Foundation, and a LEADS scholar with the National Institute of Justice.

Sherrie Rembert- Assistant Chief of Administration

Sherrie Rembert was appointed Assistant Chief of Administration in April 2021. She previously served in this capacity as Acting Assistant Chief since the spring of 2020. Prior to joining DOC, Chief Rembert was a member of the Armed Forces Reserve, having served in Operations Iraqi Freedom. She began her career with the Department as a correction officer in 1997. Her first assigned command was the James A. Thomas Center (JATC). In October 2005, she was promoted to the rank of captain and transferred to the George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC). Chief Rembert exhibited an exceptional aptitude for administration and was subsequently transferred to the Chief of Department’s office as an executive officer from 2016-2017. She was recognized for her work ethic and was subsequently promoted to the rank of deputy warden in 2017, where she was assigned to the Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC). During her tenure at the OBCC, she implemented the Sustainability, Expectation, Accountability, Tour, Train, Teach (S.E.A.T.) initiative that was implemented for the purpose of boosting morale and reducing violence. In July 2019, Sherrie Rembert held the title of Acting Warden of the Criminal Justice Bureau, where she was responsible for all court commands and the Transportation Division. In February 2020, Sherrie Rembert was promoted to Warden of the Criminal Justice Bureau. She possesses a Bachelor of Science in Correction Administration from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an Associate of Applied Science in Human Service from the New York City Technical College.