Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction announced today that Jason Schaffer, Deputy Warden of Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, has been appointed Deputy Warden at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution effective February 8, and Major Bernell Williams, statewide Chief of Security/Inspections and Director of Emergency Preparedness, has been promoted to Deputy Warden of Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (BWCI) effective February 22. Schaffer fills the position vacated by this week’s promotion of HRYCI Deputy Warden Natasha Hollingsworth to BWCI Warden, and Williams’ promotion fills the resulting Deputy Warden vacancy at BWCI.

“Deputy Wardens Schaffer and Williams know what it takes to maintain safe and secure facilities that support comprehensive on-site treatment, training and reentry programs while meeting our high standards of excellence,” said Bureau of Prisons Chief Robert May.
“Their experience, training, and leadership are welcome additions to our wardens’ senior staffs.”

Incoming Howard R. Young Correctional Institution Deputy Warden Jason Schaffer joined the DOC and completed his Correctional Officer training in 2008 after seven years of service in the United States Air Force. He was initially assigned to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution before transferring to JTVCC in 2009, where he earned promotions to Corporal in 2010, Sergeant in 2011, Lieutenant in 2013, and Staff Lieutenant in 2017. As a Staff Lieutenant he played a significant role in establishing JTVCC’s specialized Residential Treatment Unit (RTU) and served as the facility’s 4×12 Shift Commander. He was further promoted to Major in 2020 where he has served as a member of the Warden’s senior leadership team and as the facility’s Security Superintendent with day-to-day responsibility for maintaining safety and security for correctional officers, staff, and inmates. Deputy Warden Schaffer is a recipient of the prestigious FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award for successfully completing its Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute, and Executive Leadership Institute. He has completed specialized training and certification through the National Institute of Corrections, Wilmington University, and the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents Wardens Peer Interaction Program.. He has received multiple Department of Correction Awar ds and is a recipient of the Department of Correction Team of the Year award. Schaffer also served in the United States Air Force as a C-17 Loadmaster and Combat Arms Training Instructor earning multiple Achievement Medals and Outstanding Unit with Valor while participating in and supporting combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Incoming Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution Deputy Warden Bernell Williams has more than 23 years of correctional leadership experience. Williams completed his Academy training and joined the DOC as a Correctional Officer in 2002 and has served assignments at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, Howard R. Young Correctional Institution), the Steven R. Floyd, Sr. Training Academy, and the Special Operations Group. He was first assigned to JTVCC where he earned promotions to Correctional Corporal and Sergeant in 2005. In 2009, he joined the Employee Development Center (now the Steven R. Floyd, Sr. Training Academy), where he served as a Staff Training Relief Officer and on a team that developed updated Departmental Emergency Preparedness policy and procedures. In 2015, Williams was promoted to Trainer Educator and led professional training and instruction for officer cadets and current officers and staff. In 2018, he was further promoted to Correctional Captain at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution where he served in a supervisory role, including as a shift commander, conducting facility inspections, performing facility security audits, and helping develop and implement operating procedures. In 2023, Williams was promoted to Major with the role of Security Superintendent and serving the entire Bureau of Prisons as Chief of Security/Inspections and Director of Emergency Preparedness. In this position he has worked to ensure statewide compliance with security, safety, sanitation, and American Correctional Association (ACA) standards. Deputy Warden Williams has earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Wilmington University.

The Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, located in Wilmington, is named for the facility’s first Warden when it opened in 1982. The original facility was designed to hold 360 detainees who are awaiting trial or sentencing. In 1992 a new section opened adding 480 beds for sentenced offenders. Additional construction projects have further increased the capacity and average daily inmate population today exceeds 1,100. HRYCI provides a variety of treatment and education programs, counseling, recreation, and religious services for pre-trial detainees and sentenced offenders.

The Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, the only women’s prison in Delaware, opened in December 1991. The facility houses both pre-trial and sentenced adult females at minimum, medium, and maximum security levels. BWCI provides programming at all security levels. Programming provides offenders with opportunities to gain knowledge, acquire skills and learn an alternative lifestyle. BWCI provides treatment services, religious services, drug therapy, educational/vocational programs, counseling, and recreation.

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