New Corrections Superintendent sworn in

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 4/17/19

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa recently nominated and swore in Jerome John as the new Ulster County Superintendent of Corrections. John will manage 160 Corrections Officers at the county jail in …

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New Corrections Superintendent sworn in

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Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa recently nominated and swore in Jerome John as the new Ulster County Superintendent of Corrections. John will manage 160 Corrections Officers at the county jail in Kingston and oversee an annual budget of more than $20 million.

Sheriff Figueroa said John’s application stood out above all others.

“He brings a different angle to the job, there was no parallel and that’s why he got the job,” said Figueroa.


John was born and raised in the Bronx into a family of Reverends, leading him into a life of service in Law Enforcement and the Ministry. His resume states that “He has always served the people of his community regardless of personal or racial differences.”

John is very familiar with every aspect of Correctional Facility Operations and has also held positions with the NYS Police. In his capacity as a Trooper, John served as an Investigator and Senior Investigator, has worked in Human Resources, been part of the Violent Felony Warrant Squad, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and in the Narcotics Division.

John has also been responsible for managing New York State’s “Most Wanted” cases, assisted with Ground Zero recovery efforts after 9/11 and collaborated with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating some of the nation’s largest Drug Operations.

John received his B.A. in Criminal Justice and Psychological Studies from SUNY Empire in 2012. Although John retired from the NYS Police in 2014, he has continued to serve part-time in private security at the Jacob Javits Center and at Yankee Stadium. He most recently lent his expertise in helping Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. John also completed a certified ministerial course through the Global University Berean School of the Bible and was ordained and installed as a Pastor at Roman Roads Bible Church in Accord, NY.

Sheriff Figueroa believes John’s unique background will be a great asset in his new position.

“I think it’s a good plus to the job,” he said.

Figueroa recalled a key promise he made to the voters of Ulster County when he ran for the Sheriff’s job.

“I was looking to enhance and change the way the community looks at Law Enforcement and how we operate in this new world. So bringing in somebody with that type of background from Equal Employment to Employee Assistance, having a background with the NYS Police for so many years and even the religious aspect, even though there is a separation of Church and State, does bring a different attitude to the job,” he said. “This is a unique experience for all of us in Ulster County to have someone like Jerome John as Superintendent of Corrections.”

During the interview process, John recalled that Sheriff Figueroa wanted to implement some new ideas.

“We sat and discussed it and our vision is congruent,” he said.

John said he wants to improve employment conditions for the Corrections Officers.

“Historically, the Corrections Department is kind of looked down upon and I would really like to raise the professionalism in this office and improve the terms and conditions of Corrections Officers employment; we’re talking contracts and that sort of thing,” John said. “I really want to raise their self-esteem because this is a very difficult discipline.”

John said Law Enforcement can be broken down into three basic categories, “the catchers, that’s the Cops, the keepers, that’s Corrections and the watchers - Parole and Probation.” He said after serving in all three areas he has concluded that Corrections is the most challenging.

“I have a tremendous leader in my Sheriff and we’re going to make it happen; failure is not an option,” he said. “We really want to improve things. I like some of his new and innovative ideas and I’m the guy to get it done.”

Sheriff Figueroa said John’s outlook and plan of action is what led to his hire.

“He said I’m going to make this place the best, not just in the state but in the nation. I know it’s lofty but I know when you say that, you want to make a change and that’s really what I was looking for,” Figueroa said.

John was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Anne Marie and their daughter Alexis.

Anne Marie is proud of her husband’s appointment as Superintendent of Corrections.

“I am very excited that he’s excited about bringing something new to the facility and I’m going to keep praying for him that he does the best job he possibly can do,” she said.