American Correctional Association Conference (ACA)

Evelyn Bush has more than 35 years of public service experience in the corrections field. Before joining NIC in 2002, she served as an NIC Consultant and in various leadership positions, including Warden, Regional Director, Deputy Commissioner in her 26 years with the Connecticut Department of Corrections. Evelyn has an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Management Science. At NIC, she oversees and actively participates in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of blended training, technical assistance and coordinating resources to enhance the knowledge and competencies of corrections professionals. Her portfolio includes Strategic Development of Executive Women, Correctional Leadership Development for Women in Management, Conducting Security Audits and Gender Informed Practices in the Management of Women’s Prisons. Additionally, the new initiatives she is currently working on include developing an e-course on Undue Familiarity: Maintaining Boundaries, and a project for the compilation and distribution of COVID-19 challenges and/or choices faced by the field.

Scott Richards has more than 31 years of public service experience in the corrections field. Before joining NIC in 2019, he served in various leadership positions, including Warden and Director of Training in the U.S. Marine Corps Correctional System. Scott has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts Degree in Management and Leadership. At NIC, he oversees and actively participates in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of resources to enhance the competencies of corrections professionals. His portfolio includes Prison Staffing Analysis, Prison Rape Elimination Act, and Management of Restrictive Housing Populations. Additionally, he is currently working to develop an innovative micro-learning platform of "Expected Practices" as an on-demand training resource for the field. Scott is also the Technical Assistance Manager for the Prisons Division and can provide information on how agencies can submit requests.

Belinda has 40 years of Corrections experience in Oklahoma and Washington State. Before joining the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in 2019, she served in various leadership positions, including assistant superintendent for two community corrections centers with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections from 1981-1992. She moved to Washington in 1992 and became superintendent of Cedar Creek Corrections Center, McNeil Island Corrections Center, Washington Corrections Center for Women, Stafford Creek Corrections, Re-entry Implementation Project Administrator, Communications and Outreach Director, and Executive Prisons Program Administrator. Belinda has a bachelor’s degree in corrections from Oklahoma State University.

At NIC, Belinda oversees Executive Training for New Wardens and Justice-Involved Women: Developing an Agency-Wide Approach. Her portfolio of work also includes the development and enhancement of resources in staff trauma and organizational stress, communications, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Dr. Dena M. Owens has over 19 years of experience in Correctional Mental Health. She began her career in Corrections at the Cook County Jail in Chicago, IL. Before joining NIC in 2021, she served in various leadership positions, including Director of Behavioral Health, Religious Services, and Enrichment Programs at Cook County Jail. She also served as Director of Behavioral Health Services at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux, LA. Her expertise includes issues related to occupational stress and burnout, trauma-informed care, stress management, resiliency, and emotional intelligence. Dr. Owens has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology, and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology. 

At NIC, Dr. Owens oversees crisis intervention teams training (CIT), staff trauma, and the Mental Health Network for the Prisons Division. Her portfolio of work also includes competency restoration, management and oversight of persons with mental illness in corrections, and support and instruction of mental health first aid.

Christopher Smith has been working in the Corrections field for almost 20 years. His experience includes working in a private juvenile facility, a county jail, the Indiana Department of Corrections, and the Bureau of Prisons. Mr. Smith joined the Bureau of Prisons in June of 2008. His Bureau of Prison experiences include working as a Correctional Officer, Case Manager, Unit Manager, Case Management Coordinator (also permanently had Executive Assistant duties) and now as a National Programs Advisor at the NIC.

Mr. Smith only recently arrived at NIC as a National Programs Advisor. Since his arrival, he has begun assisting with both the Restricted Housing Video Project and Senior Leadership Competencies Project. He is currently researching future projects in the areas of bullying, mental health, and leadership.

Dr. Ricks has over 20 years in providing oversight of population health and performance improvement initiatives in community and correctional health settings. Prior to joining NIC in 2021, she has served as a Director of Nursing, Health Services Administrator, Clinical Director of Population Health, Senior National Programs Advisor, and Strategic Compliance Manager in metropolitan Baltimore and Anne Arundel County community health and correctional agencies in Maryland. Tashima holds Doctoral, Master, and Bachelor-level degrees in Nursing and maintains board certifications as a Registered Nurse and a Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist.

At NIC, Tashima supports Mental Health First Aid, Healthcare Administrator's Network, Infection Prevention Network, and Aging in Corrections programs.

Sandy Cathcart is a National Programs Advisor with the National Institute of Corrections – Jails Division, and has been in this capacity since September 2014. She manages Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) training, Mental Health Systems in Jails, Mental Health First Aid training, Being Trauma Informed, Implementing Case Management for Jails, Management Development for Women and Minorities, and additional mental health and medical technical assistance requests for jails. 

Sandy worked in local corrections for 27 years between the Baltimore City Jail and the Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities in Maryland. She has a Bachelors Degree in Social Work (with licensure), a Master’s Degree in Correctional Administration, and a Certificate in Human Services Management. She has served as a member of a New Jail Transition team, a Unit Manager of female housing, a manager of classification, a policy and procedure writer, a certified trainer, a Social Work Associate, and a Criminal Justice and Social Work Adjunct Professor for the Anne Arundel Community College. Sandy was instrumental in developing a jail-based Case Management System for Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Before her employment with NIC, she served as the Assistant Correctional Facility Administrator of Inmate Services for the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Annapolis, Maryland.