Deleware Announces Terra Taylor As Acting Commissioner

Governor John Carney on Thursday announced that Commissioner Monroe Hudson will step down later this month from his current role as the head of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) after more than thirty five years of service in law enforcement and corrections. Terra Taylor, Deputy Commissioner of the DOC, will serve as Acting Commissioner until a permanent replacement is nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Delaware Senate. 

“I also want to thank Terra for her willingness to step into this role. I am confident her years of experience within the Department of Correction — from her time as a Probation Officer to Chief of Community Corrections to Deputy Commissioner — will make her a strong leader for the Department.” Governor John Carney

As Deputy Commissioner, Taylor held the Department’s second-highest position with responsibilities for supervising the Department’s four Bureaus and setting direction through policy development, strategic planning, and decision-making. Taylor, who initially joined DOC in 1997, previously served as Chief of Community Corrections and led the bureau that 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 or are serving probationary sentences or court-ordered pretrial supervision in the community. The Bureau of Community Corrections has also played an active role in implementing innovative crime reduction initiatives, including the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Projects in the City of Wilmington and Kent County.

Read the Full Press Release 

Commissioner Monroe Hudson Announces Retirement 

After a remarkable 35-year career in law enforcement, Commissioner Monroe Hudson has announced his retirement. Serving as the Commissioner since 2021 and previously as the Deputy Commissioner since 2019. His active participation in CLA, has made a lasting impact on the field. Commissioner Hudson has been an asset to our organization. The commitment he has towards enhancing the safety and wellness of correctional officers has and will continue to have a lasting influence on the industry. We extend our warmest congratulations to Commissioner Hudson on an incredible career, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the years to come. Wishing him a well-deserved and happy retirement.

A letter from Commissioner Hudson: 

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my plans to step down as commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction. 

Four years ago, I was proud to return to the Department of Correction, the place where I started my law enforcement career more than 35 years ago.  During this time I have seen the men and women of the Delaware Department of Correction demonstrate day in and day out the very best of public service. 

It has been my great honor to serve as Deputy Commissioner and as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction. Governor Carney will announce that I am stepping down as Commissioner. He will also announce Deputy Commissioner Terra Taylor will step up to serve as Acting Commissioner.  She is well prepared to lead this Department and I offer her my strong encouragement and full support.
 
I plan to continue to serve law enforcement and corrections by beginning a new period of service with a national non-profit organization that is working to expand services by providing guidance, resources, and best practice ideas focused on correctional officer safety and wellness.   In my new role, with the Institute for Intergovermental Research (IIR), I will serve as program lead for a team that has been tasked with developing a Correctional Officer and Staff Safety and Wellness Center on behalf of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
 
I hope to work very closely with the CLA Leadership, Executive Board and each of you as we continue to focus on this VERY important topic of promoting correctional officer safety and wellness.
 
My last day with the Delaware Department of Correction will be Friday, July 14. 
 
I would like to thank Kevin and the entire CLA team for their incredible support and mentorship over the past 4 years.  I would also to to recognize and thank the many Commissioners/Directors and CLA Associates, who provided me much guidance, support and words of wisdom when I took over the role as commissioner.  Thank you!
 
Be well, and stay safe. 
Monroe