Leadership changes at Newport prison

NEWPORT — The Vermont Department of Corrections recently announced Northern State Correctional Facility Interim Superintendent Lori Madden returned to her role as Assistant Superintendent at Northwest State Correctional Facility in St Albans on February 10. 

Effective February 20, Amy Jacobs, Interim Assistant Superintendent at NWSCF, will assume the role of Interim Superintendent at NSCF in Newport.

This transition took place following a January 25 letter from Vermont State Employees’ Association Inc. (VSEA) expressing a “vote of no confidence” in Madden.

The Department conducted an immediate and thorough review of the concerns outlined in the letter.

Madden informed the Department of her plan to return to NWSCF during this process.  

“The Department thanks Assistant Superintendent Madden for her service at NSCF and looks forward to her continued leadership in St Albans,” said Nicholas J. Deml, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. 

Jacobs joined DOC in 2008, beginning her career at Northern State Correctional Facility after serving in the US Marine Corps.

Since joining DOC, Jacobs held multiple positions including temporary correctional officer at NSCF.

“Superintendent Jacobs brings wide-ranging and deep experience to Newport at a critical time,” Commissioner Deml said. “Her collaborative leadership style and ability to build consensus will serve her well and support the success of our Newport team as she leads the largest correctional facility in Vermont.”