New County Corrections Director Begins Work

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners welcomes William R. Powell as the new Director of Corrections, with responsibilities to include oversight of the Escambia County Jail, Community Corrections Division and Road Prison. Powell joins Escambia County from Orlando where he served as correctional major at Orange County Corrections Department. Tuesday, Sept. 4, marked Powell's first day on the job.

In his previous job, Powell directed and managed the general operation of seven facilities with an average population of over 3,500 inmates. Powell was responsible for the security operations division, which provides direction and management of the general operation of all correctional facilities in Orange County, Florida. His responsibilities included staff management, development and implementation of policies and procedures, fiscal management, care, custody and control of inmate environments to ensure compliance with all federal, state, county and department regulations.

Prior to serving as a correctional major, Powell served as the chief of the prisoner administration and security sections of the Joint Forces European Army Confinement Facility from 1998 to 2004. He also served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1998 as a nuclear surety military policeman, desk sergeant patrol operator, confinement supervisor, maximum security shift supervisor and field recruiter.  

Powell obtained a Master of Human Relations degree from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Criminal Justice and a Master of Management from Troy University. He is a Certified Jail Manager with the American Jail Association and a Certified Corrections Executive with the American Correctional Association. 

Powell was selected from a pool of 86 applicants for the director of corrections position after a thorough selection process. The selection committee of Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown, Escambia County Assistant Administrator Matt Coughlin, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons, First Judicial Circuit Trial Court Administrator Robin Wright, Orange County Corrections Department Chief Cornita A. Riley, and Florida Sheriff’s Association Jail Services Coordinator Isaiah Dennard narrowed the list down to five finalists, ranking Powell as the top candidate. 

The position was advertised nationally for more than 60 days on the following websites: Myescambia, Corrections, Discovercorrections, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida's Sheriff's Association, Indeed, the National Association of Counties, Ziprecruiter, American Corrections Association, the American Jail Association, the Large Jail Network, and the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. 

For more information about the Escambia County Corrections Department and its divisions, click here.