Nancy Wrenshall has over 30 years of experience in corrections management in both federal and provincial systems in Canada. She has held positions up to the executive level as Warden, managing both men's and women's prisons with budgets up to $24 million. As Warden, she successfully managed crises such as hostage situations without injury. She has experience developing policy, conducting investigations, training other managers, and representing Canada internationally on matters related to incarcerated women.
1. Nancy E. Wrenshall
27585 32B Avenue, Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada V4W3J4 ph: 604-607-0771 email: thewrench1@live.ca
References Available Upon Request
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Management:
In my position of warden I managed both men’s and women’s prisons. I was accountable for managing and
overseeing institutional operations and providing overall vision and direction to the programs, services and
operational activities and policies of the institution. The male facility had 450 inmates where I supervised a staff of
300. The female facility had 185 inmates (female mixed remand and sentenced population). Budgets for these
facilities ranged from 14 million to 24 million dollars.
As the warden,during a crisis,you are the Crisis Manager.As a Crisis Manager, I successfullymanaged
numerous incidents,including two hostage takings (one staffmember,one inmate) withoutsignificantinjury
to staff or inmates and without damage to property.
I was responsible for preparing a number ofinvestigations and reports for senior management,which
included recommending policyimprovements or change.
I was responsible for organizing and conducting tours for foreign delegates to increase their knowledge of
the responsibilities and policies ofwomen’s corrections in Canada.
Coaching/Mentoring:
I prepared documents (training plans) and conducted lead peer debriefing in Critical IncidentStress for
Senior Management.I also developed the firstinstitutional policies in the Pacific Region of Canadian federal
corrections for Critical Incident Stress Management.
I mentored and trained managers under myleadership, and facilitated ongoing opportunities for them to
experience new challenges within the organization.
Communication/Documentation Skills:
I have made presentations to large groups including planning,preparing and hosting a forum comprised of
150 academic,media,prisoners and criminal justice partners.This eventwas held at the lastprison where I
was warden.
I approved all press releases prior to their release to the media.
As the warden,I was the public face of the institution.I was called upon to give media interviews,for local
newspaper,radio and television.Ialso regularlyspoke at both college and university classes,where my
main focus was the topic of female prisoners.
Some of my duties include the drafting of ministerial correspondence,conducting and writing disciplinary
and fact finding investigations.
I conducted a significantreview of ManagementProtocol (long term segregation ofwomen offenders)
consulting with all stakeholders and prepared a reportfor the Senior ManagementCommittee ofthe
Correctional Service of Canada.Upon completion ofthe report, I was tasked with leading a group to develop
policy to replace ManagementProtocol with a differentapproach to reduce the amountof segregation.
2. Nancy E. Wrenshall
27585 32B Avenue, Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada V4W3J4 ph: 604-607-0771 email: thewrench1@live.ca
References Available Upon Request
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
I have over 30 years of operational experience in corrections atthe federal and provincial level.
I have held positions atthe operational managementlevel (10 years at the executive level as Warden) in
both federal & provincial corrections.
I am very proud to have represented Canada atUnited Nations meetings as a subject matter expert on
incarcerated women.
I have been recognized by the Canadian Human Rights Commission as an expert on incarcerated women in
BC (2001).I was honored to be asked to testify for their tribunal for the Correctional Service of Canada.
On behalfof the governmentof Canada,I attended international meetings and was responsible for
reporting back my findings and any recommendations resulting from these meetings.One of the biggest
assets for this process is myextensive writing experience.
I developed training material for corrections, created and shared reports for debriefings.
I led extensive consultations with corrections internal and external stakeholders in response to the
Correctional Investigator’s (CI) Annual Report preparing a reportsummarizing the results ofthe
consultation and facilitated policychanges to address the concerns raised the CI’s reportand the results of
the stakeholder consultations.
I have extensive experience in developing,reviewing,implementing,training and following up on
correctional policy.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Starting as Correctional Officer to Deputy Warden
Correctional Service of Canada – May 19, 1981 to May 4th
, 1998
District Director – Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women
BC Corrections – May 4th
, 1998 to April 5th
, 2003
Deputy Warden, Warden & Special Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for Women
Correctional Service of Canada – April 5th, 2003 to May 31st, 2011
EDUCATION HISTORY
Diploma in Public Sector Administration 1995
University of Victoria, Canada
School of Public Administration
Various Certifications required & obtained thru Corrections & the government of Canada