Sherry S Gray
Bourbonnais,IL
Summary
Accomplished correctional professional with a proven track record at the State of Illinois- Department of Correction, enhancing facility security and inmate supervision. Expert in crisis management and interpersonal skills, I have successfully managed teams and improved employee retention by 30%. Skilled in de-escalation techniques and fostering teamwork, I bring adaptability and a results-driven approach to challenging environments. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Warden
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
08.2020 - 01.2023
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Supervised 231 employees and performance of tasks and managed 600 offenders.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Verified all prison visitors carried proper identification and had no contraband before entering institution.
- Coordinated responses to emergency situations arising in different prison locations.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Checked all book in and discharges, making sure all charges have paperwork and all discharges have orders of discharge.
- Oversaw control center, monitoring inmates, visitors, and employees for signs of suspicious behavior.
Assistant Warden
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
06.2019 - 08.2020
- Supervised and reviewed work of subordinate personnel.
- Set goals and priorities within facility and made modifications.
- Established and maintained strong working relationships with others.
- Maintained availability for on-call duty during emergency situations and activations.
- Developed and implemented future missions, programming and operational needs.
- Supervised 150 employees and performance of tasks and managed 600 offenders.
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Coordinated responses to emergency situations arising in different prison locations.
- Supervised dining hall, outdoor recreation area, vocational shop, and inmate housing unit.
- Checked all book in and discharges, making sure all charges have paperwork and all discharges have orders of discharge.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Oversaw control center, monitoring inmates, visitors, and employees for signs of suspicious behavior.
- Verified all prison visitors carried proper identification and had no contraband before entering institution.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Correctional Major
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
10.2018 - 06.2019
- Supervised dining hall, outdoor recreation area, vocational shop, and inmate housing unit.
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Checked all book in and discharges, making sure all charges have paperwork and all discharges have orders of discharge.
- Verified all prison visitors carried proper identification and had no contraband before entering institution.
- Assigned officer tasks such as cleaning cells and stocking clean laundry to keep prison running efficiently.
- Supervised 250 employees and performance of tasks and managed 1200 offenders.
- Coordinated responses to emergency situations arising in different prison locations.
- Cultivated and maintained climate of mutual respect with freedom from harassment and intimidation, to provide safe environment for staff and offenders.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Handled inmate counts and searches for missing inmates.
- Oversaw control center, monitoring inmates, visitors, and employees for signs of suspicious behavior.
- Resolved issues and disputes between inmates professionally and respectfully.
- Monitored and confirmed compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Correctional Major
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
07.2017 - 10.2018
- Supervised dining hall, outdoor recreation area, vocational shop, and inmate housing unit.
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Checked all book in and discharges, making sure all charges have paperwork and all discharges have orders of discharge.
- Supervised 100 employees and performance of tasks and managed 600 offenders.
- Coordinated responses to emergency situations arising in different prison locations.
- Cultivated and maintained climate of mutual respect with freedom from harassment and intimidation, to provide safe environment for staff and offenders.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Handled inmate counts and searches for missing inmates.
- Oversaw control center, monitoring inmates, visitors, and employees for signs of suspicious behavior.
- Resolved issues and disputes between inmates professionally and respectfully.
- Monitored and confirmed compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Correctional Lieutenant
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
04.2013 - 07.2017
- Oversaw control center, monitoring inmates, visitors, and employees for signs of suspicious behavior.
- Assigned officer tasks such as cleaning cells and stocking clean laundry to keep prison running efficiently.
- Checked all book in and discharges, making sure all charges have paperwork and all discharges have orders of discharge.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Supervised dining hall, outdoor recreation area, vocational shop, and inmate housing unit.
- Supervised 45 employees and performance of tasks and managed 1200 offenders.
- Verified all prison visitors carried proper identification and had no contraband before entering institution.
- Handled inmate counts and searches for missing inmates.
- Cultivated and maintained climate of mutual respect with freedom from harassment and intimidation, to provide safe environment for staff and offenders.
- Resolved issues and disputes between inmates professionally and respectfully.
- Monitored and confirmed compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Responded to emergency situations and provided first aid following facility guidelines.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
Correctional Lieutenant
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
02.2012 - 03.2013
- Oversaw control center, monitoring inmates, visitors, and employees for signs of suspicious behavior.
- Assigned officer tasks such as cleaning cells and stocking clean laundry to keep prison running efficiently.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Checked all book in and discharges, making sure all charges have paperwork and all discharges have orders of discharge.
- Coordinated responses to emergency situations arising in different prison locations.
- Handled inmate counts and searches for missing inmates.
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Supervised 50 employees and performance of tasks and managed 1200 offenders.
- Verified all prison visitors carried proper identification and had no contraband before entering institution.
- Supervised dining hall, outdoor recreation area, vocational shop, and inmate housing unit.
- Cultivated and maintained climate of mutual respect with freedom from harassment and intimidation, to provide safe environment for staff and offenders.
- Responded to emergency situations and provided first aid following facility guidelines.
- Monitored and confirmed compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Resolved issues and disputes between inmates professionally and respectfully.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Correctional Sergeant
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
10.2008 - 02.2012
- Verified all prison visitors carried proper identification and had no contraband before entering institution.
- Coordinated responses to emergency situations arising in different prison locations.
- Handled inmate counts and searches for missing inmates.
- Oversaw control center, monitoring inmates, visitors, and employees for signs of suspicious behavior.
- Supervised dining hall, outdoor recreation area, vocational shop, and inmate housing unit.
- Assigned officer tasks such as cleaning cells and stocking clean laundry to keep prison running efficiently.
- Completed daily work report sheets and delegated tasks to employees.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Supervised 25 employees and performance of tasks and managed 1200 offenders.
- Checked all book in and discharges, making sure all charges have paperwork and all discharges have orders of discharge.
- Cultivated and maintained climate of mutual respect with freedom from harassment and intimidation, to provide safe environment for staff and offenders.
- Responded to emergency situations and provided first aid following facility guidelines.
- Resolved issues and disputes between inmates professionally and respectfully.
- Monitored and confirmed compliance with safety standards and regulations.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Correctional Officer
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
04.1993 - 10.2008
- Completed intake paperwork, fingerprints, and searches.
- Conducted routine and emergency head counts.
- Booked new inmates into facility and processed inmates for release.
- Observed behavior of residents individually and in groups.
- Observed and supervised inmates throughout visits, meal time, recreation, phone calls, and showers.
- Inspected work sites and crew trucks for contraband, cleanliness, and safety.
- Escorted inmates to and from cells, court, hospitals, and medical appointments.
- Tracked inmates through head counts, visitor logs, and scheduled activities.
- Prepared, processed and maintained forms, reports, logs, records, and activity journals.
- Provided guidance and support to inmates to help reintegrate in society and establish new beginnings.
- Interviewed inmates to obtain information and assess needs.
- Searched cells of inmates to identify and confiscate contraband and other prohibited items.
- Identified needed updates to correctional plans and assigned inmates to appropriate housing.
- Received and accounted for personal possessions and determined inmate work assignments.
- Built solid relationships with staff and residents to keep institution safe and secure.
- Established positive working relationships and maintained boundaries with resident offenders.
- Made rounds at specified intervals and conducted head counts and roll calls.
- Responded to inquiries from inmates and other members of public.
- Transported inmates to and from court hearings, medical appointments and other locations.
- Administered drug tests to inmates.
- Supervised inmates during meals, recreation and other activities.
- Provided assistance and guidance to inmates regarding daily activities.
- Prepared reports to document incidents and violations.
- Assisted in intake and release of inmates.
- Enforced rules and regulations to maintain order among inmates.
- Received and inspected mail, property and funds from visitors on behalf of designated inmates.
- Conducted security checks of inmates and living areas.
- Interviewed inmates to obtain information and evidence.
- Investigated and responded to incidents of inmate misconduct.
- Documented inmate behavior and activities in logbooks.
- Responded to emergency situations and de-escalated hostile confrontations.
Education
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL06.2009
Skills
- Inmate Supervision
- Employee Retention
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Surveillance techniques
- Weapons Handling
- Labor Relations
- Security Protocols
- Crisis Management
- Workplace Safety
- Recruitment and hiring
- Facility Security
- Effective Communication
- Goal Setting
- Multitasking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Decision-Making
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Self Motivation
- Time management abilities
- Criminal Justice
- Performance Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Professional Demeanor
- Relationship Building
- Inmate monitoring
- Team Leadership
- Reliability
- Task Prioritization
- Written Communication
- Active Listening
- Multitasking Abilities
- Emergency Response
- Problem-Solving
Timeline
Warden
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
08.2020 - 01.2023
Assistant Warden
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
06.2019 - 08.2020
Correctional Major
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
10.2018 - 06.2019
Correctional Major
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
07.2017 - 10.2018
Correctional Lieutenant
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
04.2013 - 07.2017
Correctional Lieutenant
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
02.2012 - 03.2013
Correctional Sergeant
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
10.2008 - 02.2012
Correctional Officer
State of Illinois- Department of Correction
04.1993 - 10.2008
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
Kankakee Community College