Shelly Williams, the longtime director of Riley County Community Corrections, has announced she will retire in the spring, following three decades of service to the state of Kansas.
The 1992 K-State graduate began her career at Central Kansas Community Corrections in Great Bend, before accepting a position in April 1994 with Riley County Community Corrections. During her time with the agency, Williams has served as a juvenile intensive probation officer and as a facilitator for juvenile justice reform under former Chief Judge Meryl Wilson.
Williams was promoted to Director in 2007, following the retirement of Frank McCoy. She expresses what she will miss the most after retiring.
According to a Thursday news release, under Williams’ leadership, the agency implemented evidence-based practices in corrections, risk-based, randomized drug testing, and an emphasis on positively changing offender behavior. She also oversaw the creation of a Youth Court and Drug Court and has held various leadership roles including with the Kansas Sentencing and Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commissions.
Williams says she has a plan for her retirement.
Her retirement is effective April 1, 2024.