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National Institute of Corrections Presents WA Corrections’ Belinda Stewart with Director’s Award

November 9, 2022

By Brendan Baptiste Department of Corrections
DOC Correctional Program Administrator (CPA), Belinda Stewart

DOC Correctional Program Administrator (CPA), Belinda Stewart. (Photo courtesy of Communications Office)

Washington State Department of Corrections’ (DOC) Correctional Program Administrator (CPA), Belinda Stewart, is the 2022 recipient of the National Institute of Corrections’ (NIC) Director Award.

"Belinda was recognized for her significant contribution to the field of corrections through her delivery of NIC programs or services. This is indeed a well-deserved honor of and recognition for Belinda’s lifelong service to the field of corrections. We are fortunate to call her ours", said DOC Secretary Cheryl Strange.

Through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, Stewart has provided support to the National Institute of Corrections and has focused her efforts to advance the overall improvement of virtual and in-person training for incarcerated individuals. While working for the NIC Prison Division as a Correctional Program Specialist, Stewart would draw attention to quality programming to the nation’s jails, prisons and community corrections.

CPA Stewart has been recognized for her excellence in leadership and demonstrating the highest level of personal and professional standards. When she realized a gap in virtual training throughout the country existed, she began work to develop several webinars focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Transformational Leadership. She recently finished a much-needed update to the Executive Leadership Training for New Wardens and her efforts have earned her the affectionate title of "Webinar Queen."

"I have personally received feedback on the impact of the technical assistance and/or training and the enormous contribution to the participants’ effectiveness as leaders and increase in their personal growth and development," says Ronald Taylor, Chief, Prisons Division at NIC. "A direct result of her efforts and collaboration, Directors of Corrections, Jail Administrators, and Sheriffs across the country, have expressed appreciation for CPA Stewart’s dedication and leadership to monitoring and identifying those persistent and emerging issues directly related to the operations and effective management of jails and prisons."