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Commissioner
Joe Schmidt:
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Joe Schmidt was named Commissioner of the Alaska Department of
Corrections by Governor Sarah Palin 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 as well as the
facility's first million-pound harvest. 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, where he played hockey. 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.
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Deputy
Commissioner
Sam Edwards:
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Sam Edwards began his career with the Department of Corrections in
1980 as a Correctional Officer I at the Anchorage Jail and retired in
2003 as Deputy Director of Institutions. In 2006 he was asked to return
as Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Population Management, where
his focus continues to be on the optimum and efficient delivery of services
according to the department’s mission and vision, and to effecting a seamless
transition from institutions to community supervision. Edwards was one of
the original six Correctional Officers assigned to the Alaska State Troopers
SERT team and from 2003-06 he served as security captain at the Port of Anchorage.
Edwards and his wife reside in Wasilla.
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Deputy
Commissioner
Carmen Gutierrez, J.D.:
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Carmen, a born and raised second generation Alaskan, spent 24 years
practicing law in Alaska before coming to the department. During
her legal career, she tried many high profile cases throughout the
state, practiced civil law. Carmen began her career with the
department as special assistant to the Commissioner. In this role,
she focused her attention on community re-entry initiatives to
reduce prisoner recidivism by starting the Alaska Prisoner Re-entry
Task Force, coordinating the implementation of Alaska PACE and
responding to departmental audits. As Deputy Commissioner of
Prisoner Rehabilitation and Re-entry, Carmen will oversee human
resources, inmate programs and education, PACE, re-entry, and serve
as liaison to the court system and rural Alaska.
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