DULUTH, Minn. — Arrowhead Regional Corrections has hired Duluth native Erika Ward as the new division director of the Northeast Regional Corrections Center following a regional search process.
Ward brings more than 25 years of experience in correctional operations, mental health services and evidence-based programming. She most recently worked in a variety of behavioral health, residential treatment, acute care and hospital-based settings in Alaska and Utah.
Her background includes serving as lead mental health clinician for the Alaska Department of Corrections, where she directed clinical and operational services for high-risk incarcerated individuals and oversaw treatment programming statewide. Ward also worked as an investigator for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Civil Rights, Compliance and Accountability.
Ward is a graduate of Denfeld High School and holds a master's degree in mental health counseling and a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in emergency services.
“NERCC is a unique facility with many moving parts — security, farm operations and programming components — and Erika has a passion for all three,” said Becky Pogatchnik, executive director of Arrowhead Regional Corrections. “In addition, she has significant experience in the delivery of mental health services and programming within a correctional facility, which will be beneficial to meeting the increased mental health needs of our incarcerated population.”
Ward said she was drawn to the position because of NERCC's focus on rehabilitation and mental health recovery.
“I was looking for a job in corrections that supports mental health recovery and rehabilitation,” Ward said. “I love the contributions NERCC makes in the community by providing vocational opportunities for justice-involved individuals.”
NERCC is a 136-bed correctional facility located on a 3,200-acre working farm. The facility raises livestock and crops while offering vocational training programs in carpentry, food service, animal husbandry, mechanics and maintenance.
The facility is operated by Arrowhead Regional Corrections, a joint powers agency that provides correctional services for Carlton, Cook, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis counties.
