Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel has appointed Marirosa Lamas as superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Chester,Delaware County.

Lamas replaces John Thomas, who was appointed deputy superintendent for centralized services at SCI Huntingdon. The personnel changes are effective July 17, 2016

"Marirosa is a respected corrections veteran who has many skills, talents and expertise to offer this agency and specifically to SCI Chester," Secretary Wetzel said. "She has become a national leader in the area of Crisis Intervention Team training and is perfectly situated to take SCI Chester in the right direction."

Lamas has served the agency as a counselor and unit manager at SCI Camp Hill, staff assistant to the deputy secretary at the department's headquarters and deputy superintendent for centralized services at SCIs Frackville and Rockview. She was then promoted to superintendent at SCIs Muncy, Rockview/Benner Township. Following her departure from Rockview/Benner Township, she played an integral role in providing training to DOC employees in the area of Crisis Intervention Team training and advancing the DOC in its efforts to improve and enhance its delivery of services to mentally ill inmates.

A native of Puerto Rico, Lamas is a professionally certified and trained hostage negotiator. She earned a bachelor's degree in administration of justice from The Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a master's degree in administration of justice from Shippensburg University.

Lamas is a member of the Pennsylvania Prison Warden's Association, the American Correctional Association and the Association of Women Executives in Corrections.