Rhode Island’s state prison system boss is leaving for a job at New York City’s well-known Rikers Island jail.
Director of Corrections Wayne Salisbury, in a letter to staff Friday obtained by NBC 10 News, announced he is departing.
The letter came after Gov. Dan McKee earlier in the morning acknowledged talk of Salisbury’s departure during an appearance on WPRO radio when a caller asked about rumors Salisbury is leaving.
A sign for Rikers Island in New York City. (CNN)
In his letter, Salisbury wrote, “Although I had planned to share with you personally my decision to leave the Department for a new opportunity, I write today to convey my profound gratitude for our time together and all that we have accomplished.”
“It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to move on to my next challenge. I have accepted a position working for the receiver appointed by the U.S. Southern District Court of New York at Rikers Island in late June,” Salisbury wrote.
McKee told NBC 10 News on Friday: “We like Wayne where he is. He’s done a really good job. If any one of our department heads choose to move on to something else, we’re going to try to support that.”
The correctional officers’ union would disagree with McKee’s assessment of Salisbury.
The union vigorously fought McKee’s nomination of Salisbury for the post of Director of Corrections in 2024.
At that time, Salisbury had been serving as the interim leader of the department for more than a year.
The union claimed the level amount of violence and drugs in the prison system had drastically increased under Salisbury’s watch.
Corrections Director Wayne Salisbury speaks to the media after the Rhode Island Ethics Commission hears a complaint against him. (WJAR)
The battle included the union filing an ethics complaint against Salisbury over undisclosed out of state travel.
Salisbury ultimately agreed to a $200 ethics fine following his confirmation as director.
“He is not the guy for this job,” union leader Richard Ferruccio told NBC 10 News on Friday.
Ferruccio, who led the charge against Salisbury, maintains, “The prison is a mess right now. I think we’re on the edge of a crisis. I’ll be shocked if we get through the summer without a major incident.”
“We’ve had a real contentious relationship over the last couple of years. And some of the decisions he’s made have had a real chilling effect on the operations of our facilities, primarily in the discipline process. There is no accountability for inmates and we’re paying the price for that right now,” Ferruccio told NBC 10 News.
NBC 10 News asked the Department of Corrections for an interview with Salisbury Friday but did not immidately receive an answer.