Diane McCuistion retires after 23 years working at city of Kent jail

Diane McCuistion has retired after 23 years of working in the city of Kent jail, including the last 12 as commander.

“She will be sorely missed by our Kent family, and that loss will be most felt by the corrections staff who have worked by her side,” according to a Kent Police statement.

McCuistion started as a corrections officer in Kent in January 2000. She worked as a programs work crew coordinator, corrections sergeant and programs sergeant. She was promoted in 2012 to corrections commander. Her final day was June 30.

During a recent plaque presentation, Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla described McCuistion as a “Trailblazer” who had an iconic career.

“She was Kent’s first female corrections commander and led our jail during a time when staffing was challenging, the facility needed critical repairs and updating, and the jails were being flooded with mentally ill inmates who had nowhere else to go,” Padilla said. “Having said all that, she maintained a corrections facility that has been consistently one of the best in the state, which caused both lateral and new hire corrections officers to flock here for jobs.”

The city jail, 1230 Central Ave. S., opened in 1986. The jail houses misdemeanor offenders sentenced to less than one year and those arrested and booked for such crimes as drunk driving, domestic violence, minor assaults and petty theft.

The jail is staffed with one commander, one administrative assistant, seven corrections sergeants and 18 corrections officers, according to the Kent Police website. People arrested for felony crimes are housed at King County jails in either Kent or Seattle.

Padilla said that McCuistion worked to implement inmate programs such as the Christmas gift giving so inmates could provide a gift to their child. She coordinated inmate training programs such as flagger training. Inmates could leave the jail with flagger certification, a resume, and a proper ID so that they are ready to work when released.

“She was on the forefront of impacting lives in a way that had lasting and positive impacts,” Padilla said.

McCuistion’s family, friends, retired corrections staff and co-workers gathered recently for her retirement ceremony.

When asked what her favorite experience was while working in the jail, McCuistion said that setting up programs to help inmates was at the top. She also loved being a commander.

“I deeply appreciate the valuable experiences I have gained over my 23 years of service,” McCuistion said in her retirement letter to Padilla. “It has been a sincere pleasure working with you and the entire Kent Police Department family.”

McCuistion earned her national jail manager certification through the American Jail Association and is only one of six in Washington that hold this certification. She is a graduate of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy, International Association of Chiefs of Police, in Leadership of Police Organizations, as well as the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound.

She holds a middle management career level certification with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. She is certified in critical incident stress management: individual crisis intervention and peer support.

Padilla said when he thinks of McCuistion the characteristics that come to mind are caretaker, strong work ethic, organized, genuine, engaged, humble, incredibly approachable and people first.

When asked how she wants to be remembered, McCuistion said that she wants to be known as someone who had a positive impact, was fair, a team player, compassionate and a strategic and innovation businessperson.

New commander named

Corrections Sgt. Michael Armstrong was promoted by Padilla to replace McCuistion. He started his new position on July 1.

Armstrong will receive $141,516 per year, according to city documents.

The city of Kent jail, 1230 Central Ave. S. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent