CHESTERTOWN — Hilary Siakor‑Sirleaf has been hired as warden of the Kent County Detention Center.
His hiring was announced in a Tuesday, May 5 news release.
Siakor‑Sirleaf’s first day on the job was April 7, according to County Administrator Shelley Heller.
The Kent County Commissioners in March appointed Siakor‑Sirleaf.
According to the news release, Siakor‑Sirleaf brings more than 30 years of experience in correctional leadership, spanning service in Maryland and the Republic of Liberia, and “is widely recognized for his strategic approach to criminal justice administration and operational reform.”
Siakor‑Sirleaf has spent his career strengthening correctional systems, improving security operations and advancing rehabilitative programming.
Most recently, he served as deputy director of administration for the Baltimore County Department of Corrections, where he oversaw key operational areas including custody and security; medical and mental health services integration; pretrial services; staff development; inmate programming; facility oversight; and compliance with state and federal standards.
As deputy director, he also led policy development, budget administration, legislative review and large‑scale organizational planning.
According to the news release, Siakor‑Sirleaf’s experience includes extensive work in classification, pretrial operations, staff training and inmate services as well as prior service as assistant minister of justice for corrections and rehabilitation in Liberia, where he led national prison administration, facilities oversight, policy modernization and compliance with international human rights standards.
Siakor‑Sirleaf holds a Master of Science in police executive leadership management from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Arts in legal and ethical studies and a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of Baltimore.
He also holds an Associate of Arts in criminal justice from Essex Community College.
He has completed numerous specialized corrections and law enforcement training programs, including Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission courses in leadership, supervision and jail operations.
“Hilary is a steady, experienced hand with decades of real‑world correctional leadership behind him. He knows how to run a safe, disciplined operation, and he understands the responsibility that comes with this job,” County Commissioner John Price, who served seven terms as Kent County’s elected sheriff, said in a statement.
“I’m confident he’ll provide strong leadership and keep the detention center operating at the high standard our community expects,” Price added.
