Ruth Santiago
Elmont
Summary
Highly organized, motivated and accomplished law enforcement professional with over 20 years of experience with the New York City Department of Correction; including service as an Assistant Deputy Warden in both operational command and department-wide disciplinary adjudication capacities. Extensive experience in executive leadership, investigations, crisis management, policy interpretation, and correctional administration focused on maintaining safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Deputy Warden - Informal Charges & Discipline Unit (I.C.D.U)
New York City Department of Correction
10.2020 - Current
- Serve as a Hearing Officer adjudicating Command Discipline cases across the entire department.
- Analyze complex case files, including Use of Force reports, Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage, and Genetec surveillance recordings.
- Apply departmental directives, rules, and legal standards to ensure fair, consistent, and compliant disciplinary outcomes.
- Evaluate mitigating and aggravating factors to determine appropriate disciplinary actions aligned with progressive discipline principles.
- Draft formal findings and determinations with clear, defensible reasoning and policy alignment.
- Provide guidance to executive and command staff on disciplinary procedures and policy interpretation.
- Maintain strict confidentiality, integrity, and objectivity in all adjudication proceedings.
Assistant Deputy Warden (Warden Level One)
Anna M. Kross Center
06.2020 - 10.2023
- Directed and oversaw facility-wide administrative operations, including overtime management, FMLA utilization, chronic absenteeism tracking, and personnel accountability, operating in a capacity aligned with Warden level Command functions to ensure operational efficiency and compliance.
- Exercised command-level authority in conducting Command Discipline hearings, ensuring due process, procedural integrity and consistent application of departmental rules and regulations.
- Supervised and managed uniformed staff, enforcing care, custody and control of persons in custody (PIC) while maintaining safety, security and order within the facility.
- Provided direction and oversight to subordinate supervisors, reinforcing accountability, performance standards and adherence to departmental policies.
- Responded to and managed emergency incidents, demonstrating leadership with Warden level 1 operational Command expectations.
Investigation Captain Supervisor
Investigation Division
11.2015 - 06.2020
- Directed and supervised investigations into staff misconduct, including excessive use of force, undue familiarity, sexual abuse allegations, firearms violations, and other integrity-related matters.
- Coordinated investigative activities including interviews, evidence collection, and case documentation, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Ensured all investigative findings were consistent with departmental policy, legal standards, and evidentiary requirements.
- Responded to critical incidents and provided investigative guidance to command staff.
- Executed disciplinary actions, including suspensions, and secured departmental equipment (firearms, identification, shields).
Correction Captain
RNDC/GRVC/MDC
06.2012 - 11.2015
- Managed staff performance and coordinated emergency responses.
- Investigated unusual incidents, infractions, injuries, and Use of Force incidents involving Staff and Persons-In-Custody.
- Supervised, trained, and motivated the work performance of daily activities including but not limited to the supervision of Persons in custody, report writing and searches for contraband.
- Supervised Close Custody Adolescent PIC, Adolescent Punitive Segregation PIC, Civil Housing Units, General Population Escort and Enhanced Restraints.
- Process Persons in Custody for Red ID / Enhanced Restraints / Protective Custody / Pre-Hearing Detention and Close Custody Housing Placement.
Correction Officer
Anna M. Kross Center
06.2006 - 06.2012
- Maintained care, custody, and control of Persons in Custody in both cells and dorms settings.
- Worked with various categories of PICs’ (including SRG, GP, MO, GPE, Administrative Segregation & Punitive Segregation Persons in Custody)
- Prepared, processed, and maintained forms, reports, logs and records.
- Participated in searches for contraband (institutional searches, PIC living quarters, etc.).
- Conducted headcounts to visually ensure the presence of all PICs;
- Coordinated unit headcounts to confirm total population.
- Controlled disruptive behaviors with appropriate verbal orders and appropriate use of physical force.
- Prepared and processed PIC for transport, transfer or release through search and application of appropriate restraining devices and Department’s Correctional facility procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Professional Studies - Criminal Justice
Monroe University
New Rochelle, New YorkA.A.S. Degree - Computer Information Systems
Monroe College
Bronx, New YorkUndergraduate Certificate - Correctional Leadership
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
New York, New YorkAffiliations
- Union Delegate – Assistant Deputy Wardens / Deputy Wardens Association 2025 - Present
- Represent members in labor-management matters, facilitate communication between executive leadership and union personnel, and advocate for professional standards, workplace concerns, and operational collaboration.
- Fluent in English and Spanish
Certification
- Certified DCJS Instructor
- Firearms Qualified
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified DCJS Instructor
- Executive Leadership & Decision Making
- Policy Interpretation & Regulatory Enforcement
- Department Wide Disciplinary Adjudication
- Dynamic communicator and leader in developing positive and effective relationships in the workplace
- Professional Writing & Legal Documentation
- Crisis Management & Emergency Response
- Staff Accountability & Performance Management
- Investigations & Case Analysis
COMMAND LEADERSHIP
- Servant leadership approach focused on accountability, staff development, operational efficiency, and organizational integrity.
- Skilled in conflict resolution, staff communication, crisis management, and de-escalation within high-pressure correctional environments.
- Utilizes the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) decision-making model to assess incidents strategically, maintain operational control, and support effective command-level responses.
- Demonstrates sound independent judgment, professionalism, and adaptability during emergency incidents, disciplinary proceedings, and facility operations.
- Committed to maintaining safe, secure, and professionally managed correctional environments through ethical leadership and policy compliance.
Languages
Spanish
Timeline
Assistant Deputy Warden - Informal Charges & Discipline Unit (I.C.D.U)
New York City Department of Correction
10.2020 - Current
Assistant Deputy Warden (Warden Level One)
Anna M. Kross Center
06.2020 - 10.2023
Investigation Captain Supervisor
Investigation Division
11.2015 - 06.2020
Correction Captain
RNDC/GRVC/MDC
06.2012 - 11.2015
Correction Officer
Anna M. Kross Center
06.2006 - 06.2012
Bachelor of Professional Studies - Criminal Justice
Monroe University
A.A.S. Degree - Computer Information Systems
Monroe College
Undergraduate Certificate - Correctional Leadership
John Jay College of Criminal Justice