Michaela Merrill, interim superintendent of the Department of Corrections' Southern State Correctional Facility, has officially assumed the role of SSCF superintendent. She succeeds Mike Lyon, who retired in August.
Merrill joined the department in 2003 as a corrections officer. She has since held the role of corrections officer II, interim assistant superintendent at Northern State Correctional Facility, interim superintendent at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility and assistant superintendent at SSCF.
Merrill played a critical role in the Prison Research Innovation Network initiative, a partnership with the University of Vermont piloting innovative changes for staff and the incarcerated population. Officials cited her integrity, forward-thinking approach and proven leadership as key factors in her appointment.
“In her almost eight years at Southern State, Superintendent Merrill consistently acted with conviction, passion and with the best interests of Vermonters at the forefront of her work,” said Nicholas J. Deml, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections. “Her demonstrated commitment to the continuous improvement of the department embodies our mission to lead through innovation and create the corrections system of the future.”