The Westchester County Department of Correction (WDOC) hosted an event to celebrate Women’s History Month. The ceremony was geared toward supporting their female residents, and celebrating women who have been instrumental in supporting incarcerated individuals.
This year’s program centered on “Moving Forward Together and Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” a tribute to women in both history and present day who have laid the framework for positive change via education, healing and hope. Incarcerated women from the “Solutions” substance use treatment program read poems about their identity, and others from the WDOC theater class made presentations about four female trailblazers who have historically provided education, healing and hope on the world stage.
The program also included formal recognition of two of WDOC’s own trailblazers, Sergeant Marie Reyes and Dr. Collica-Cox.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “It’s an honor and privilege to formally recognize two amazing women, who through meticulous work ethic and determination continue to bring support, hope and healing to the residents at WDOC. I commend and thank Sergeant Reyes and Dr. Collica-Cox for the unselfish work they do to help the residents in our care prepare for a successful return to their communities.”
Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph K. Spano said: “It’s especially gratifying to formally recognize two individuals who I’ve known and worked with for many years. Both Sergeant Reyes and Dr. Collica-Cox are driven to engineer positive change that has benefitted countless individuals over the years. They are viewed by WDOC staff and our residents as role models and difference makers.”
First Deputy Commissioner Nory Padilla said: “Both Sergeant Reyes and Dr. Collica-Cox have gone above and beyond to support incarcerated individuals who are dealing with significant challenges. Their body of work and commitment to helping those in need is immeasurable and worthy of special recognition.”
For over 17 years, Reyes has brought the gift of education, healing and hope to incarcerated men and women at WDOC and helped enhance rehabilitation programming. As part of her lifelong commitment to helping others, Reyes joined WDOC in 2008 as a Correction Officer and was promoted to Sergeant in 2018. Serving as Program Sergeant, she provides hands-on management for over thirty meaningful rehabilitation programs. Leveraging her knowledge and compassion towards others, especially those in need, Reyes has had a significant impact on hundreds of program participants lifting their morale, hope and vision for a successful path home. To the WDOC residents she is affectionately known as “Momma Reyes” and the “Recruiter,” because she is constantly encouraging them to get more involved with rehabilitation programming.
Collica-Cox has an extensive career in the field of criminal justice, and a long history of supporting incarcerated individuals at WDOC and other correction institutions. Working as a Professor in the Criminal Justice Department of Pace University and Director of Dyson College Jail-Based Services, Collica-Cox has provided passionate and meaningful education services for her college students and incarcerated students at the Westchester Department of Correction, Rikers Island and the New York State Department of Correction. Known as a creative and out-of-the-box thinker, Collica-Cox has developed some ground-breaking rehabilitation initiatives and simultaneously changed the criminal justice landscape.
Keynote speaker was Dr. Michelle Raysor, a well-known Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a published author who holds a graduate level degree in Rehabilitation and Counseling, a Master of Science in Education from Hofstra University and a doctoral degree in leadership and Curriculum development from University of Phoenix. In 2004 she became a NY State Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Raysor currently has a private practice on Long Island and is the Founder and Executive Director of Connecting for Purpose a non-for-profit mentoring program serving families, incarcerated and previously incarcerated individuals.
The Westchester County Department of Correction is considered a national leader in the space, recognized for its robust rehabilitation program system and accreditation certifications through the American Correctional Association, the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare and the Prison Rape Elimination Act.