Manuel Williams currently serves as the Deputy Warden of the Central Detention Facility, commonly known as the DC Jail, and the Central Cell Block, where he is responsible for direct oversight of these facilities. With over 20 years of experience in correctional and security management, Williams brings a wealth of expertise to his role. His career includes significant contributions in policy, procedure, and practice development through consultative assessments and solutions.
Williams served honorably in the US Army 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California, where he gained invaluable leadership and crisis management skills. He started his corrections career in 1994 at the Maryland Division of Corrections as a Correctional Officer at the Maryland House of Correction – Annex in Jessup, Maryland. He advanced to Lieutenant Unit Manager, where he helped establish the Maryland Division of Correction Contraband Interdiction Team, which conducted high-risk, unannounced searches across all security levels in Maryland.
In his tenure as Unit Manager and Lieutenant, Williams led the implementation of the "Pathways to Changing Paradigms" program, significantly reducing incidents of violence and improving morale by offering programming and educational opportunities for inmates.
As General Population Captain, he managed the medium-security Metropolitan Transition Center, overseeing substantial improvements in processes ranging from officer staffing and case management to inmate schedules and staff training.
After retiring, Williams returned to the field as the Status Commander for the Segregation Units at a maximum-security jail, where he restructured the unit, now called "Restrictive Housing." He reduced solitary confinement by more than 50%, increased out-of-cell time for inmates, and introduced new programs, earning recognition for setting a new standard for Restrictive Housing units nationwide.
His efforts were acknowledged by the American Correctional Accreditation Commission and local government officials. Williams was later promoted to Facility Major/Shift Commander and then to Supervisory Program Analyst at the District of Columbia Department of Corrections before being appointed Interim Deputy Warden in January 2022.
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