(From a press release.)
At its public meeting Monday, the Chester County Prison Board of Inspectors unanimously approved the appointment of Howard Holland as Warden of Chester County Prison.
“In the eight months that Howard Holland has served as Acting Warden, Chester County Prison has seen improvements in safety and security systems, with plans to continue strengthening security measures,” said Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County Prison Board.
“At the same time, Howard has recognized the importance of prison staff strengths and the value of a comprehensive training program to develop corrections officer and leadership skills, as well as recruit new corrections officers and prison support staff.
“Howard’s ‘hands on’ experience in overseeing all correctional and operational functions of the prison, along with 27 years of experience in law enforcement and security, assured all members of the Prison Board that he is the right person to serve as warden,” added Maxwell.
Chester County Prison Board of Inspectors members are Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe, President Judge John Hall, District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, Sheriff Kevin Dykes, and Controller Margaret Reif.
In response to the appointment by the Prison Board, Warden Holland said, “I am honored that the members of the Prison Board place their confidence in me to serve as warden. Together with the prison leadership, and with oversight by the Prison Board, we will continue our focus on safety and security improvements.
“I also look forward to building upon the relationships I have established with prison staff and the local community over the past eight months, as those connections are an important part of the role as warden.”
Community connections include updates with the residents of Pocopson Township, who live within close proximity to Chester County Prison.
Speaking on behalf of the Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors, Chair Elaine DiMonte said, “The Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors is delighted with the appointment of Howard Holland as Chester County Prison Warden. Over the past eight months, Warden Holland hasmbeen actively engaged with the Board of Supervisors meetings. We have every confidence in his leadership ability, and we look forward to continuing to build the relationship.”
Prior to his appointment as acting warden in August 2023, Holland was assigned the role of special advisor to the Chester County Prison Board. In that role, he helped to identify operational concerns, developed recommendations in conjunction with correctional consultants, evaluated the effectiveness of staff training and ensured that any recommended changes would comply with all local, state, and federal regulations and statutes.
Holland has been appointed as acting warden just one day prior to the infamous escape of murderer Danilo Cavalcante, an illegal immigrant from Brazil.
Howard Holland served with the Downingtown Borough Police Department from 1997 to 2023 and was appointed chief of police for the last seven of those years. During that time, he also worked as a special county detective.
Holland is a graduate of the Delaware County Police Academy, the FBI National Academy, and holds a B.S. in public safety administration from Neumann University.
