The News Journal
03/29/2006
Delaware Department of Correction spokesperson Beth Welch is resigning April 14. The search for her replacement is under way. Welch, who is expecting her first child, said she's leaving the department "to stay at home and be a full-time mom."
"It's the right choice for our family," she said. "While I am terribly excited about the new stage of life my husband and I are about to begin, I am sad to be leaving the best professional experience of my life. The people here genuinely care about public safety."
Welch has been responsible for issuing press releases, managing the department's Web site and handling all media contacts concerning prison operations and incidents since 1998. As the department's chief of media relations, she's a close adviser to Correction Commissioner Stan Taylor, and a "trusted member of the executive team," he said. "We're going to miss her," Taylor said. "Not only is she an excellent PR person, we often use her input on managerial decisions. We've valued her input the whole time she's been here with us."
Welch said the last two years have been the most difficult period for her at the department.
"The department has obviously been through some difficult times and been the focus of significant media coverage," she said. "You never want the people who you're working for to go through that. On the other hand, it's why people like us are in the business. It's good to test your mettle, and see how you handle yourself in a crisis."
While Welch has served as the public face of the Department of Correction, her mettle was certainly tested. In July 2004, security lapses at the Delaware Correctional Center led to the abduction and rape of a prison counselor and the shooting death of the inmate. The report by a task force that investigated the incident placed the blame on the prison's management.
In September, a News Journal special report chronicled years of high inmate death rates due to HIV/AIDS, suicide and poor medical care. Earlier this month, federal civil rights regulators launched an investigation of Delaware's prison medical system.
John Flaherty, spokesman for Common Cause of Delaware, said Welch's role, and the role of other public information officers, is somewhat misleading.
"My dealings with her have been cordial, but she and others in state government are more of a roadblock to the free flow of public information than a conduit," Flaherty said.
Welch replaced Anthony Farina as department spokesperson. Farina now works for the DuPont Co.
"I think the fact that Beth has been in the role for seven years, has served under two governors and has worked closely with the commissioner, speaks to a job well done."
Contact investigative reporter Lee Williams at 324-2362 or lwilliams@delawareonline.com. Contact Esteban Parra at 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.
