Commissioner Jim Rubenstein
Jim Rubenstein was appointed Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Corrections on June 8, 2001 after serving as Acting Commissioner since February 2001. He has been tasked with the responsibility to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Division of Corrections throughout the entire State of West Virginia.
Mr. Rubenstein has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Criminal Justice from Fairmont State College and has over three decades in the corrections profession. Mr. Rubenstein began his career with Corrections in 1973 as a Correctional Officer at the Forestry Camp for Boys. He has also served as a Recreation Coordinator, a Correctional Officer, and a Counselor at the WV Industrial School for Boys.
Mr. Rubenstein went on to serve as a Corrections Case Manager and Corrections Unit Manager at Pruntytown Correctional Center. In 1994, Mr. Rubenstein was named Superintendent of Anthony Correctional Center. In late 1998, he was named Deputy Warden of St. Mary's Correctional Center and was instrumental in the conversion of that facility from a state hospital to a medium security correctional institution. On June 1, 1999, Mr. Rubenstein was appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Institutional Operations and served in that position until his appointment as Commissioner.
His qualifications and skills offer him a unique opportunity to bring insight and experience to the DOC. His career in corrections has prepared him with the management abilities, training and development skills, and interpersonal communications expertise necessary to promote programs, technology, and training within the DOC.
Commissioner Rubenstein is affiliated with the following organizations: Member of the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA), member of the American Correctional Association (ACA), Secretary for the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority Board, member and former President of the WV Association of Correctional Employees (WV ACE), member of Southern States Correctional Association (SSCA), member of Holley Strength Systems, Buckhannon Power Team, United States Powerlifting Federation and National Association of Strength Athletes.
Deputy Commissioner William Haines
Deputy Commissioner William Haines was appointed as Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Corrections on November 15, 2006. He began his career with the West Virginia Division of Corrections in 1998, as the Warden of the Huttonsville Correctional Center in Huttonsville, WV.
Mr. Haines is a former member of the WV State Police, where he served as Detachment Commander, District Commander, Company Commander, and Deputy Superintendent. He retired from the WV State Police Force in 1998 while holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Mr. Haines earned his Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fairmont State College in Fairmont, WV in 1990. He also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Quantico, VA in 1994. He has received extensive training and education throughout his career with the Division of Corrections and the WV State Police and has excelled in all areas.
Deputy Commissioner Haines is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; WV Chiefs of Police Association; WV Troopers Association; FBI National Academy Graduates Association; Randolph County Family Resource Association; Board of Directors Mountain State Forest Festival and Board of Directors Children’s Advocacy Center.
Assistant Commissioner Northern Region
Jan Chamberlain
A twenty-nine year veteran of the West Virginia Division of Corrections, Jan began his career as a Counselor at the former West Virginia Penitentiary where he was instrumental in the establishment of a Classification Unit for the facility and was appointed as its Director.
He worked directly with approximately twenty-five counseling and clerical support staff to ensure the implementation of institutional programs. He also conducted individual and group counseling sessions for the inmate population, researched and responded to requests for information from outside agencies, and created both the Intake and Exit Orientation Programs for the institution.
Prior to the closing of the West Virginia Penitentiary and following an upgrade to the position of Corrections Program Manager I, Jan became directly responsible for preparing Operational Procedures for both the Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility and the Mount Olive Correctional Complex prior to their opening.
Upon the opening of the Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, he continued to draft, update, and disseminate Operational Procedures for the facility. In addition to completing special projects at the request of the Warden, Jan also served as the Project Manager for the ACA Accreditation process. As the Project Manager, he was responsible for the coordination efforts of staff members involved in the accreditation process by ensuring compliance with mandated standards. These efforts came to fruition when the facility was awarded the state’s first national accreditation from the American Correctional Association on January 18, 1999.
In July of 1999, Jan was appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Northern District of West Virginia. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing the operation of four (4) correctional facilities assigned to the Northern District. In addition, he coordinates the work effort of both of the Division of Corrections’ ACA Accreditation Managers as they pursue accreditation and Directors of Classification statewide. As directed by the Commissioner, Jan has assumed responsibility for drafting, revising, and issuing the Division’s Policy Directives.
Mr. Chamberlain’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree from West Liberty State College and participation in a wide range of specialized courses during his employment with the West Virginia DOC. In honor of his years of dedication and service to the Division, he was selected as the Employee of the Year for 1998 at the Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility.