Merrimack County corrections captain named Supt. of Belknap Jail

Daniel P. Ward, Sr., was named the new Superintendent of the Belknap County House of Correction by the county’s three commissioners at their regular meeting yesterday.

Ward will leave his current post as Captain and Chief of Operations for the Merrimack County Department of Corrections later this month. His first day on the job at the Belknap County facility on North Main Street in Laconia will be Monday, January 25.

Ward is a 13 year veteran of the Merrimack County department. He began his career in law enforcement as a student at the University of New Hampshire in Durham in 1988. He was a police officer in Pittsfield, Northwood and Epsom until 1993 when he became a Merrimack County Corrections officer.

Since joining the staff of the Merrimack County Corrections Department, he has advanced through the ranks to Corporal, Sergeant/Shift Supervisor, Academy Program Case Manager, and Captain.

Most recently he was named Corrections Employee of the Year for 2009 by the New Hampshire Association of Counties.

There were more than 40 applicants from up and down the Atlantic seaboard for the position vacated by Superintended Richard Grenier on December 1.

According to Debra Shackett, county administrator and finance director, “The field of candidates for the position was extremely strong, so strong, in fact, that it was difficult to pare down the list to a manageable number for the interviews. All of the candidates we interviewed were well qualified for the job.”

Shackett explained that she and the county’s Director of Human Resources, Norman O’Neil, trimmed the list of potential candidates. Seven of the 40 applicants were selected for interviews. Albert Wright, Superintendent of the Rockingham County House of Correction, was enlisted to assist Shackett and O’Neil with the seven interviews.

The Belknap County Sheriff’s office conducted the background checks for all of the candidates who were interviewed.

Shackett said, “Despite the high qualifications of all of the candidates, Dan Ward was clearly the standout. He brought such enthusiasm to the interview, and his work ethic and professionalism showed through all of his responses to our questions.”

“Throughout his interview, he talked a lot about staff development and motivation. He clearly believes in encouraging the employees he supervises to be the best as they can be in their jobs and their lives.”

“Based on the decision of the three of us who conducted the interviews, Capt. Ward was recommended to the commissioners. They unanimously agreed with the recommendation. We all feel, commissioners included, that he will bring the Belknap County Department of Corrections to the next level,” she concluded.

Ward grew up in Pittsfield where he graduated from high school. The opportunity to become a corrections officer came during a hiatus in his college career. He explained that he interrupted his student days to get his family started after completing three years. He did not get back to earning his BA in political science with a minor in justice studies until after he became a corrections officer.

“I have had the most rewarding experience here at the Merrimack facility. As corrections officers we have a tremendous impact on the lives of so many people. I think it is a lot like being a teacher. It is awesome to have someone come up to you when you are out in public to thank you for the role you played in changing their life,” Ward said.

The new jail superintendent is coming from a much larger facility. The population of the Merrimack County House of Corrections ranges between 220 and 250. Its average daily population is 242. As Chief of Operations, Ward has been responsible for supervising a staff of 140. That number includes all of the support staff, medical, social services, food service, and the like.

By way of contrast, the average population of the Belknap County jail is approximately 70, and the corrections and support staff numbers about 30.

Ward also said he is “grateful for the opportunity to join the ranks of New Hampshire’s county corrections superintendents. We are very fortunate to have some very fine officers in charge of the county jails.”

“I understand the Belknap County facility is in excellent shape, and I believe the county’s leadership is anxious to make it even better.”

He indicated he is particularly proud of the time he served as Case Manager for what is known as the Merrimack Academy program. Initiated a number of years ago by Superior Court Justice Kathleen Maguire, the academy offers a yearlong program of intensive probation that includes life skills classes and substance abuse treatment along with close supervision and monitoring. The purpose of the Academy programs is to reduce recidivism.

“I am anxious to be part of the team at the Belknap County complex in Laconia.” Ward observed. “I am looking forward to having a synergistic relationship with fellow department heads as everyone works to take the county government farther.”

Ward’s resume is, indeed, impressive. He earned a Masters in Business and Public Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2008, and he is the graduate of numerous NH Association of Counties first line supervisor training programs. He has also completed in-service training programs offered by FEMA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the NH Police Standards and Training Council. He was a member of the legislative commission to review mental health services in corrections facilities. He also has served on the negotiations team for three successful collective bargaining agreements between the Merrimack County Corrections Department ant the State Employees Association of NH, SEIU Local 1984.

He is a member of the Pittsfield Budget Committee and SAU #51’s joint task force on the NH Department of Education’s high school redesign initiative for the Pittsfield middle and high school. An Eagle Scout, he is the Cub Scout Master for Pittsfield Pack No. 84.