Brian Best
Ocala
Summary
Dynamic Associate Warden with extensive experience at the Federal Correctional Institution, excelling in crisis management and regulatory compliance. Proven track record in policy writing and staff supervision, enhancing institutional safety and operational efficiency. Recognized for implementing effective risk assessment strategies and fostering a culture of accountability and professionalism among diverse teams.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Institution
Tallahassee
09.2021 - 12.2024
- Acting Warden when called upon. Monitor and respond to: staffing issues, continuing resolution issues, ongoing inmate/staff investigations, requests for staff assists, inmates on dry cell, inmates on long-term suicide watch, reconstruction of inmate suicide, OIA referrals, OIG Investigators, LMR issues, PREA cases, Program Reviews, AEP programs, EMS 2nd party audit, hunger strike, as well as introduction of contraband, inmate/inmate fights/assaults, immediate use of force, after actions, and responded to OSHA concerns (medical allegations).
- I have supervised every discipline. I was responsible for dissemination of information, career enhancement of staff through mentoring and professional experience, monitoring budgeting and staffing levels, ensuring compliance with BOP policies, goals and mission, institutional procedures, evaluating programs, providing guidance and addressing inmate and staff concerns. Program Review Ratings: Psychology/Good, Religious Services/Superior, Business Office/Trust Fund/Superior, Food Service/Good, Correctional Services/Acceptable, Correctional Programs/Good, Health Services/Acceptable, PREA/NR, Facilities/Superior, and Computer Services/Superior. Conduct security assessments with exec staff I have managed the command center, directed staff and made critical decisions. As PREA Compliance Coordinator.
- I participated in reviewing PREA allegations to ensure the alleged victim receives appropriate medical and psychological review. Ensure all avenues are reviewed when making a final recommendation of the allegation. Participate in Workplace Violence threat assessments and make appropriate recommendations to the Warden regarding the continued safety of staff. Create, write, evaluate and monitor evaluations for Department Heads and support staff. Provide assistance and guidance to all evaluations are completed accurately and timely. Review After Actions and make appropriate recommendations to ensure policy compliance.
- As Administrative Duty Officer, I routinely provide guidance regarding institution issues after hours and make proper notifications. I routinely interact with the Deputy Regional Director, Regional Administrators, Wardens and Associate Wardens to address issues regarding staff voucher, staff assists, intra-regional transfers, the special housing of inmates, staff issues and other pending issues at the institution level. During my tenure in the agency I served as chair of the Affirmative Employment Program, I provided guidance on AEP initiatives for a diverse workforce. Assist Labor Management Relations chairperson. Teach annual training regarding EEO and Ethics. Participate in CRB meetings, attend Victim Impact Panels. Attend yearly Volunteer Banquet.
Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Institution
New York
02.2020 - 09.2021
- Acting Warden when called upon. Monitor and respond to: staffing issues, continuing resolution issues, ongoing inmate/staff investigations, requests for staff assists, inmates on dry cell, inmates on long-term suicide watch, reconstruction of inmate suicide, OIA referrals, OIG Investigators, LMR issues, PREA cases, Program Reviews, CAB, AEP programs, EMS 2nd party audit, hunger strike, as well as introduction of contraband, inmate/inmate fights/assaults, immediate use of force, after actions, and responded to OSHA concerns (medical allegations).
- I have supervised every discipline. I am responsible for dissemination of information, career enhancement of staff through mentoring and professional experience, monitoring budgeting and staffing levels, ensuring compliance with BOP policies, goals and mission, institutional procedures, evaluating programs, providing guidance and addressing inmate and staff concerns. Program Review Ratings: Psychology/Good, Religious Services/Superior, Business Office/Trust Fund/Superior, Food Service/Good, Correctional Services/Acceptable, Correctional Programs/Good, Health Services/Acceptable, PREA/NR, Facilities/Superior, and Computer Services/Superior. Conduct security assessments with exec staff I have managed the command center, directed staff and made critical decisions. As PREA Compliance Coordinator.
- I participated in reviewing PREA allegations to ensure the alleged victim receives appropriate medical and psychological review. Ensure all avenues are reviewed when making a final recommendation of the allegation. Participate in Workplace Violence threat assessments and make appropriate recommendations to the Warden regarding the continued safety of staff. Create, write, evaluate and monitor evaluations for Department Heads and support staff. Provide assistance and guidance to all evaluations are completed accurately and timely. Review After Actions and make appropriate recommendations to ensure policy compliance.
- As Administrative Duty Officer, I routinely provide guidance regarding institution issues after hours and make proper notifications. I routinely interact with the Deputy Regional Director, Regional Administrators, Wardens and Associate Wardens to address issues regarding staff voucher, staff assists, intra-regional transfers, the special housing of inmates, staff issues and other pending issues at the institution level. During my tenure in the agency, I served as chair of the Affirmative Employment Program, I provided guidance on AEP initiatives for a diverse workforce. Assist Labor Management Relations chairperson. Participate in CRB meetings, attend Victim Impact Panels. Attend yearly Volunteer Banquet.
Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Institution
Otisville
07.2018 - 02.2020
- Acting Warden when called upon. Monitor and respond to: staffing issues, continuing resolution issues, ongoing inmate/staff investigations, requests for staff assists, inmates on dry cell, inmates on long-term suicide watch, reconstruction of inmate suicide, OIA referrals, OIG Investigators, LMR issues, PREA cases, Program Reviews, CAB, AEP programs, EMS 2nd party audit, hunger strike, as well as introduction of contraband, inmate/inmate fights/assaults, immediate use of force, after actions, and responded to OSHA concerns (medical allegations).
- I have supervised every discipline. I am responsible for dissemination of information, career enhancement of staff through mentoring and professional experience, monitoring budgeting and staffing levels, ensuring compliance with BOP policies, goals and mission, institutional procedures, evaluating programs, providing guidance and addressing inmate and staff concerns. Program Review Ratings: Psychology/Good, Religious Services/Superior, Business Office/Trust Fund/Superior, Food Service/Good, Correctional Services/Acceptable, Correctional Programs/Good, Health Services/Acceptable, PREA/NR, Facilities/Superior, and Computer Services/Superior. Conduct security assessments with exec staff I have managed the command center, directed staff and made critical decisions. As PREA Compliance Coordinator.
- I participated in reviewing PREA allegations to ensure the alleged victim receives appropriate medical and psychological review. Ensure all avenues are reviewed when making a final recommendation of the allegation. Participate in Workplace Violence threat assessments and make appropriate recommendations to the Warden regarding the continued safety of staff. Create, write, evaluate and monitor evaluations for Department Heads and support staff. Provide assistance and guidance to all evaluations are completed accurately and timely. Review After Actions and make appropriate recommendations to ensure policy compliance.
- As Administrative Duty Officer, I routinely provide guidance regarding institution issues after hours and make proper notifications. I routinely interact with the Deputy Regional Director, Regional Administrators, Wardens and Associate Wardens to address issues regarding staff voucher, staff assists, intra-regional transfers, the special housing of inmates, staff issues and other pending issues at the institution level. During my tenure in the agency I served as chair of the Affirmative Employment Program, I provided guidance on AEP initiatives for a diverse workforce. Assist Labor Management Relations chairperson. Attended Crisis Management training. Teach ART on EEO and Ethics. Participate in CRB meetings, attend Victim Impact Panels. Attend yearly Volunteer Banquet.
Executive Assistant Satellite Operations Administrator
Federal Correctional Institution
Talladega
02.2014 - 07.2018
- Oversee Affirmative Employment Program and monitor activities of program managers during their commemorative months. Supervised, Computer Services, Education Department, Recreation Department, Unicor, and Safety Departments. I served as acting as AW(O) for Food Service, Facilities and Health Services from September 22, 2014 through October 31, 2014. Also, acted as AW(P) for Correctional Programs (CMC/Unit Mgt/CSD) Chaplain Services, and Psychology Services from November 1, 2014, through January 31, 2015. Responsible for dissemination of information, provided guidance in decision making, addressed union issues and addressed inmate and staff concerns. Mentor supervisors for improvement in their performance.
- Participated in After Actions and compile and complete Warden's SES PWP as well as the Executive Development plan for submission and approval to the Regional Director. Served as the Public Information Officer, required to draft press releases and respond to media inquiries regarding issues or interview requests. Served as the point of contact for the ACA Re-accreditation: From February 2014 to April 2014, and from February 2017 to March 2017, I completed responses for standard noncompliance, significant incident summary report and an overview for the Warden's panel interview before ACA.
- As the Administrative Duty Officer, receive reports and relay information regarding incidents to the Warden and advise staff during emergency situations. As the Legal Liaison, I ensure FOIA requests are filled. Also, review Tort Claims prior to submission for Warden's approval. As the Executive Assistant I monitor pending litigation and assist the Southeast Consolidated Legal Department. I completed quarterly Public Works / Community Service reports. As the Administrative Remedy Coordinator, I assign BP-9 requests for review, investigation and completion. Also, I monitor deadlines and review investigative responses for accuracy.
- I Communicate effectively with departments to obtain information in a timely manner in order to complete quarterly reports for Region on institution statistics for Quarterly Executive Staff Meetings. I have Organized and monitored the application of 2014 and the 2017 Census as well as the American Survey to inmate population. In my position I coordinated the Institution Character Profile in 2015 and 2017. I gathered institution information and provided to Region, scheduled staff and inmate interviews, and assisted the regional team during their review. Completed institution outliers for Executive Staff Meeting.
- I oversight of 300 bed Camp along with seven-unit staff. Increased available bed space to address population concerns. Added additional security measures to curb outside contraband from being entered to the facility. As the Executive Assistant I was responsible to organize/attend quarterly CRB meetings to enhance community relations. I created the CRB agenda and host quarterly. Maintain certification as the Cost Center Manager for the Wardens budget as well as the budget for the Camp.
- As an instructor I provide training in Annual Training, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. In 2013-2015 participated in a Forward-Thinking Work Group. I have submitted articles to MMH and local paper regarding positive programming at facility and contributions made to local community. My Awards include: Special Act 2014, 2017, Quality Step Increase 2016 and 2017 and a Time Off Award 2017.
Special Investigative Agent
Federal Detention Center
Miami
07.2005 - 02.2014
- Brief executive staff on institution policy and procedures. Program Review Participant. Create and prepare correspondence for the Warden. Prepare and create correspondence for requesting information from outside agencies. Serves as Resource staff for the Southeast Regional Office (staff misconducted investigations). I created procedures to adhere to new policy being implemented. Ensure compliance with new policy and ensure procedures are adequate. Participant in forward thinking project which involves data collection for research. Perform investigations of staff misconduct, interview staff and complete affidavit.
- I formulate reports and update Executive staff on case information, I manage the Special Investigative Section to include monitoring the day to day operations. Maintain knowledge as the subject matter expert for Special Investigation Section. Conducted Threat Assessments to determine suitability for inmates to be placed in general population. Threat Assessments entail extensive research on the subject’s global history and current charges, to include broad publicity cases. Investigate and interviewed inmate for investigations of inmate misconduct within an institution.
- Assemble evidence, Interview witnesses, obtain statements when needed. I have gathered evidence and provided testimony as a government witness. I have, prepared a comprehensive report of findings and coordinate with FBI agents as appropriate. I have developed case history files of incidents and coordinated follow-up investigations till each case is closed. Draft written reports of the findings. I am knowledgeable with investigative procedures to ensure proper procedures are followed and investigations are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
- I was the Liaison between Captain and Correctional Officers 100%. Complete quarterly evaluations, six (6) month progress reviews, performance evaluations. I attain data to disseminate to executive staff. 30% reports status of open inmate cases, outstanding threat assessments by analyzing information 30% Conduct Administrative Duties, perpetual audits, operations reviews, tort claims, and draft Administrative Remedy responses, respond to Congressional letters. 50% Train Staff, counsel staff, draft Post Orders, implement Post Orders, draft Institution Supplements.
- I have implemented local procedures and conducts daily officer assignments, make assignments due to the needs of the facility. 100% Coordinate and schedule law enforcement interviews with inmates. Maintain archive information regarding the inmate assaults and inmate on inmate fights. I act in the capacity of the Captain when called to do so, without incident. Created and maintained a bi annual phone report for Executive staff regarding total calls monitored by department heads Cost Center Manager for Narcotics Surveillance and translation Alternate Discipline Hearing Officer.
Education
High School Diploma -
Blessed Sacrament
New Rochelle, NY06-1987
Skills
- Crisis management
- Policy writing
- Incident reporting
- Staff supervision
- Risk assessment
- Regulatory compliance
Certification
- Public Notary
- Private Investigator
- Security Officer
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Institution
09.2021 - 12.2024
Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Institution
02.2020 - 09.2021
Associate Warden
Federal Correctional Institution
07.2018 - 02.2020
Executive Assistant Satellite Operations Administrator
Federal Correctional Institution
02.2014 - 07.2018
Special Investigative Agent
Federal Detention Center
07.2005 - 02.2014
High School Diploma -
Blessed Sacrament
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