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 28 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. Williams has over 17 years of experience is Correctional Mental Health. 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 in Chicago, IL. She also served as Director of Behavioral Health Services at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux, LA. Dena has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology, and a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology.

At NIC, Dena oversees Crisis Teams Intervention Training and Mental Health First Aid. Her portfolio of work also includes management and oversight of persons with Mental Illness in Corrections.

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 Correctional Program Specialist at the NIC.

Mr. Smith only recently arrived at NIC as a Correctional Program Specialist. 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 Correctional Program Specialist, 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.