Perry Phelps
Commissioner Phelps (ret.) has had a career in Corrections since 1988. He has served the State of Delaware in the capacity of Correctional Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Security Superintendent, Deputy Warden, Warden, Bureau Chief of Prisons, and Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner. From 2005-2008, Mr. Phelps worked for the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families as the Deputy Director and Director of the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. He was nominated by Governor John Carney on December 13, 2016, and confirmed by the Delaware Senate on January 18, 2017, to serve as the first African American Commissioner of Correction for the State of Delaware.
Commissioner Phelps currently serves as an Adjunct Program Coordinator, and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Wilmington and Delaware State Universities. At Wilmington University, Mr. Phelps teaches in the College of Social and Behavioral Services (Undergraduate) and the College of Business (Graduate). At Delaware State University Mr. Phelps teaches in the College of Humanities and Social Services. He also served as a board member on the Wilmington University Criminal Justice Advisory Board, the Delaware Technical and Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board in the Kent and Stanton campuses, and the Polytech High School Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board.
Commissioner Phelps earned his Associates Degree from Delaware Technical and Community College in 1994 and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wilmington University in 2004 and 2005, respectively.