Margaret Gilbert

Margaret Gilbert is a retired Superintendent of the Washington State Department of Corrections, whose distinguished 31-year career reflects a deep commitment to public service, justice, and rehabilitation. Overseeing multiple facilities—including minimum, medium, maximum, and mental health units—she was responsible for the care and security of up to 2,000 inmates and the management of over 500 staff members. Margaret’s expertise extends to working with the criminally insane, leading special emergency response teams, commanding the Hostage Negotiation Team, and auditing compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Throughout her career, Margaret demonstrated a dedication to safety, security, and the professional development of her staff. She implemented and oversaw training programs as a Corrections Specialist, emphasizing trauma-informed care, ethical management, and effective leadership. Her role as Superintendent, beginning in 2012, made her one of the few minority women to achieve such a high-ranking position within the corrections system—a milestone she regards as one of her proudest accomplishments.
Since retiring, Margaret has continued to impact the field as a corrections consultant, coaching new wardens and leading workshops to improve practices across correctional facilities. She is passionate about seeing others succeed, particularly minorities in public service, and she encourages a humanitarian perspective on corrections, challenging traditional misconceptions and promoting rehabilitation alongside security.

• Federal Auditor
• Certified by the Federal Government as a Hostage Negotiator
• Emergency Response Certification

• The Evergreen State College- Bachelor's

• NAACP
• The Gideon Project
• The Black Collective
• Nab Vets