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Commissioner

Joe Schmidt

Joe Schmidt

Joe Schmidt was named Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Corrections in January, 2007. As new commissioner, Joe oversaw final design work, funding and groundbreaking for the 1,520-bed Goose Creek Correctional Center. Focusing on population management, classification and evidence-based programming, the department has begun a broad initiative to reduce recidivism in Alaska.

Before accepting the position of Commissioner, Schmidt was Superintendent of the Point Mackenzie Correctional Farm where he oversaw a number of innovative programs. Previously he led the effort to unify the Cook Inlet Pretrial Facility and the Anchorage Jail into the Anchorage Correctional Complex.

Joe moved with his family from the Midwest to the Mat-Su Valley in 1974 and graduated from Wasilla High School in 1984. After completing an associate's degree in criminal justice at the University of Alaska Anchorage Mat-Su campus he began his criminal justice career on the staff of the Glenwood Center half-way house.

He began work with the Department of Corrections in 1988 as a CO II at Spring Creek Correctional Center, and later worked at Hiland Mountain, Meadow Creek and Palmer Correctional Centers. From a position in booking at Sixth Avenue Jail, Joe was promoted to Sergeant at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and then to Assistant Superintendent at Cook Inlet Pretrial and Palmer Medium.

Joe is married with two children.


Deputy Commissioner

Leslie Houston

Leslie Houston

Leslie is a 35 year Alaska resident, moving to Alaska from Northern Michigan. Houston began her State of Alaska administrative career in 1977; she joined Corrections as the Director of Administrative Services in May, 2008, prior to DOC Houston worked in six other departments and has served eight Governors.

Houston is stationed in the Capital City of Juneau and will continue to oversee the department’s administrative functions—budget, audit, capital improvement projects, information technology, and legislative functions; assumes oversight on Inmate Health Care and Compliance Standards and a newly formed focus is introduced for the Performance Standards of DOC.

Houston holds a Bachelors of Science in Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood and Brain Development. She is an accomplished blue water sailor and raised her two daughters on a 37 foot sailboat, Houston took a four year sabbatical and sailed from Alaska to South America and the Caribbean (and back!).

Deputy Commissioner

Ron Taylor

Ronald Taylor

Ronald Taylor began his career with the State of Alaska in 1990, as an Adult Probation Officer and later Program Manager for the Alaska Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) in the Department of Health & Social Services.

In 2008, he joined the Department of Corrections as the Executive Director of the Alaska Board of Parole and subsequently became the Director for the Division of Probation & Parole. In this role, he focused his attention on implementing evidence based practices designed to improve community supervision outcomes by focusing on probationer/parolee success. As Deputy Commissioner of Reentry and Population Management, he will expand these efforts by ensuring a seamless transition from institution to probation/parole supervision and ultimately the community. He will also oversee inmate institutional habilitative programs, Chaplaincy Services, and serves as liaison to the criminal justice system.

Ron is a graduate from the University of Florida, and a passionate Gator fan!

Of Interest

Commissioner's Corner

Commissioner outside DOC Juneau officeCommissioner Joe Schmidt stands outside the Juneau Central Office on 2nd Street in Douglas on a clear, cold day in November. The Commissioner was in Juneau for a meeting with Governor Sean Parnell.
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