September 21st, 2024 by WCBC Radio
Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of Yvonne Briley-Wilson as acting correctional ombudsman of the newly established Office of Correctional Ombudsman. The office, which is an independent and impartial oversight entity, will conduct investigations and reviews to ensure the integrity of operations within both the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. "I am grateful that Yvonne has raised her hand to serve Maryland in this new leadership position. Our entire administration is confident in her ability to create a safer and more transparent correctional system," said Gov. Moore. "Yvonne will work to forge stronger partnerships, drive positive change and position Maryland to be a national leader in public safety and criminal justice.”
Governor Moore signed Senate Bill 134 establishing the Office of Correctional Ombudsman into law during the 2024 legislative session. The new office has the authority to refer investigations for criminal charges if the investigations uncover illegal acts. It will also oversee the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit, which transferred from the Office of the Attorney General.
Briley-Wilson will be recommended to the Senate for confirmation during the upcoming 2025 legislative session. As part of their regular duties, the ombudsman will implement procedures and practices to help minimize risks to the health, safety, and welfare of incarcerated individuals, in addition to advising incarcerated persons, family members, and others regarding the rights of incarcerated individuals.
Yvonne Briley-Wilson, Esq., a seasoned attorney and executive director, has experience working with and advocating for diverse populations in labor, public defense, corrections, and juvenile services. As executive director of SEIU Local 500, she developed and executed strategic plans that advanced the union's mission while managing a $5.4 million budget and overseeing key areas such as mediation, arbitrations, staff relations, and institutional leadership.
Briley-Wilson also served as an employee and labor relations director for the Michigan Education Association where, as chief negotiator, she managed all aspects of labor relations for K-12 professionals with an emphasis on advocacy, contract negotiations, and maintenance, conducting employee investigations and managing Title IX issues, grievance processing, human resource administration and legal compliance.
In addition to executive roles, Briley-Wilson has a background in legal education and public defense. She taught at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and served as a visiting professor in the Clinical Law Office of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She also served as a consulting attorney for the Juvenile Law Group at the Legal Aid and Defender Association of Detroit.
Her earlier roles included supervising juvenile court attorneys and managing cases throughout various divisions of the Maryland State Office of the Public Defender as an Assistant Public Defender in Maryland. Briley-Wilson also served as a correctional officer in the Virginia Division of Corrections and a children's supervisor for Richmond Juvenile Detention Center.
Briley-Wilson received her B.S. in Administration of Justice and Legal Studies and M.S. in Public Administration from the Virginia Commonwealth University. She received her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
