Usha Chhatlani, Psy.D. Appointed Mental Health Director
The Iowa Department of Corrections has appointed Usha Chhatlani, Psy.D as its new mental health director.
State Corrections
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How the Joint Venture Behind Indiana’s Largest Correctional Project Proves That Culture, Trust and Shared Goals Make All the Difference
Inside Indiana’s largest correctional project, three general contractors and a wide network of partners unite to form Build Westville, a collaborative model built on shared values, trust, and purpose-driven execution.
Annette Chambers-Smith
Annette Chambers-Smith, director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, has been appointed chair of the Correctional Leaders Association’s Healthcare Committee.
Correctional Facility Perimeter Security Helps Facilities Block Contraband and Reinforce Security
New fencing and mail-screening systems help correctional facilities block contraband, reduce staffing strain and modernize perimeter security.
Nebraska Selects Hausmann Construction for New State Correctional Facility
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has announced its intent to award the construction contract for the state’s newest correctional facility to Lincoln, Neb.,-based Hausmann Construction. The new facility, designed by DLR Group, will replace the aging Nebraska State Penitentiary.
South Dakota Weighs Options for New Men’s Prison Amid Rising Inmate Population
As South Dakota braces for a projected 34% increase in its male prison population by 2036, state officials are deliberating the next steps for a major corrections overhaul that could cost more than $2 billion over the next decade. On June 3, Arrington Watkins Architects (AW) presented their updated master plan to the South Dakota Prison Project Reset task force at the State Capitol, offering an assessment of existing conditions and options for expansion.
New Jersey DOC Opens Freedom Libraries, Invites Incarcerated Readers to Judge National Literary Prize
New Jersey DOC partners with Freedom Reads to open 37 Freedom Libraries and involve incarcerated readers in the 2025 Inside Literary Prize, promoting rehabilitation through literature.
Virginia Reports Nation’s Lowest Recidivism Rate at 17.6%
Virginia has achieved the nation’s lowest recidivism rate at 17.6%, driven by a statewide reentry initiative and coordinated interagency efforts, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Larome Myrick, Ph.D.
Larome Myrick, Ph.D., director of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families and a valued member of the Correctional News Editorial Advisory Board, was honored with the prestigious Marion Mattingly Lifetime Achievement Award by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice at its 2025 National Conference in Washington.
Senate Judiciary Hears Urgent Plea on Drone Threats
Florida Department of Corrections Secretary and American Correctional Association President Ricky Dixon testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the escalating use of drones in prisons, urging Congress to expand legal counter-UAS protection.