Collier named deputy bureau chief of community corrections
Delaware Department of Correction Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr. announced that statewide Classification and Special Programs Director Heidi Collier has been promoted to deputy chief of the Bureau of Community Corrections.
“Heidi Collier is an experienced and effective leader who has helped the Department of Correction leverage world-class training and proven supervision practices together with the use of information and data to achieve its dual mission of public safety and offender rehabilitation,” said Hudson. “She has earned the respect of our officers and staff, partner agencies, and community stakeholders through hard work, leading by example and embracing new ideas that drive success. I am pleased to welcome her to our senior leadership team.”
Collier is a 16-year DOC veteran who completed her correctional officer training in 2003 and was assigned as an officer to multiple security posts at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. In 2008 she completed DOC's basic officer training course and was assigned as a probation officer to the domestic violence unit in the Hares Corner regional probation office. In 2011 she was promoted to senior probation officer and was assigned as reentry coordinator for Kent County, where she developed and implemented procedures to guide reentry services, supervision and referrals to community-based treatment and social services in collaboration with state and nonprofit partners.
In 2017 she was promoted to probation and parole supervisor with responsibility for intake, reentry, interstate compact and institutional release across Kent County. In 2018 Collier was named the department’s statewide director of Classification and Special Programs. In this position she has engaged with leadership and staff across all DOC facilities and bureaus, the courts, and treatment and program providers to direct the DOC’s classification system, which assesses offender risks and treatment needs, makes security classification and inmate housing assignments, makes training and treatment program recommendations based on individualized classification reviews, and directs and oversees inmate movement among DOC facilities and levels of community supervision.
Collier has completed numerous specialized training courses including the FBI LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute and Supervisor Leadership Institute, and is a 2020 graduate of the Delaware State Police Civilian Leadership Development Program. In April 2021 she was named DOC Employee of the Year for her leadership in returning to Delaware 300 inmates who were temporarily housed in Pennsylvania. Collier led that mission, which was made more challenging by COVID pandemic, by facilitating constant communication between the states, collaborating with wardens and DOC healthcare staff, completing hundreds of classification reviews, and ensuring that complex transportation arrangements were developed and carried out. She earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and a master of science degree in public administration from Wilmington University, as well as a project management professional certificate from the University of Delaware.
“Deputy Chief Collier has been instrumental in promoting security across our facilities and helping the DOC use information and assessment tools in new ways to connect offenders with treatment and training to drive successful reentry,” said Terra Taylor, chief of community corrections. “Her experience as an officer working directly with inmates and probationers, and her success in senior management roles put her in a strong position to help lead our incredible officers and staff, and guide our community corrections centers and probation and parole offices into the future.”
“I am extremely proud to work alongside hundreds of dedicated and capable officers, counselors, healthcare and treatment providers, educators and community partners who collaborate day in and day out to make Delaware a safer place and support offenders who are determined to succeed in the community,” said Collier. “I am honored to be given this opportunity to help lead the Bureau of Community Corrections as it continues to innovate to meet DOC’s expanding public safety and reentry mission.”
The bureau oversees probation and parole, pretrial services, the community work release program, electronic monitoring and other supervision programs for more than 10,000 individuals statewide who are housed in work-release and violation-of-probation facilities, and the statewide community corrections treatment center, or are serving probationary sentences in the community. Its 300 probation and parole officers along with support staff work to reduce crime and support public safety by assessing offender risks and needs, and providing responsive supervision through comprehensive, evidence-based, reentry-focused programs that feature substance abuse treatment, mental health services, career counseling, education and training.
Bureau staff collaborate on a daily basis with medical and behavioral healthcare professionals, community organizations, service providers, state agencies, employers and the judiciary to connect individuals under their supervision to systems of support that improve their chances of leading productive lives in local communities. They also play an active role in collaborative crime reduction initiatives, including the group violence intervention project in the City of Wilmington.
