Commissioner's Office

Chief of Staff

Elliot Anderson is the chief of staff for the Indiana Department of Correction. Along with serving as the agency’s ethics officer, Mr. Anderson oversees its fiscal, legal, and health services operations, as well as policy development and accreditation. He began his career in state government with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security after practicing law as a deputy prosecutor and assistant city attorney in northern Indiana for nearly a decade. Mr. Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. He focuses on managing the agency’s priorities and organizational strategy, developing operational efficiencies, and designing and executing agency projects and initiatives in support of staff wellness and retention.

Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Alignment

Annie Goeller is Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Alignment for the Department of Correction, whose role is responsible for ensuring that projects important to the agency stay on track through completion, as well as using data and analytics for long-term planning and improving communications about ongoing work. She will oversee the construction services, data science and analytics, technology, legislative, and communications divisions.  Annie has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and started her career as a reporter and worked her way up to senior reporter and managing editor, covering news, feature, and everything in between. After more than 13 years in journalism, she moved into communications, serving as Communications Manager for the IUPUI Office of Community Engagement. In her role at IDOC, Annie strives to tell the story of the department and its facilities, along with their impacts on the communities they serve as significant employers, sites of education and workforce development for offenders before they return to the community, and valuable community resources.

Deputy Commissioner of Operations

Deputy Commissioner of Operations, James Basinger oversees the classification, adult operations, parole, and reentry facilities. Deputy Commissioner Basinger, a 27-year veteran with the Department, previously served as the Executive Director of Adult Operations. He began his career with the Indiana Department of Correction on December 21, 1991, at the Bloomington Work Release Center as a Correctional Officer. He was transferred to Wabash Correctional Facility (WVCF) in the summer of 1992. Mr. Basinger held various custody positions while at WVCF from Officer to Major, also serving as the Emergency Squad Commander for seven years. He has been a Firearms Instructor, CPR/First Aid Instructor, Training Officer and Staff Development Training Coordinator for WVCF. He's also a graduate of the first Emerging and Experience Leadership Program.  Mr. Basinger held the position as Major at the Putnamville Correctional Facility from 2000 to 2003. He was promoted to Deputy Warden in February 2009 at the WVCF then promoted to Warden in October 2009 at WVCF. In April 2009, Mr. Basinger retired as Command Sergeant Major with the 76th Brigade of the Indiana National Guard after 25 years of service, beginning as a United States Marine. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and a third tour of duty as the 76th Brigade's Rear Detachment Command Sergeant Major. Mr. Basinger has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and A Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Deputy Commissioner of Diversity and Development

Erica Parish has assumed the role of Deputy Commissioner of Diversity and Development. Erica has a diverse background of corporate, education and non-profit experience, most recently serving as the Executive Dean of Academic Affairs at Owens Community College in Ohio. There she led efforts to improve the culture and quality of life in addition to maintaining institutional accreditation and student success metrics. She has over 20 years of experience in training and development work and continues to teach, train, and facilitate conversations regarding diversity and inclusion. Erica earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Bowling Green State University. She enjoys traveling, grilling, and playing softball. Originally born and raised in Indiana, she’s pleased to be back home in the Hoosier state.

Deputy Commissioner of Re-Entry and Youth Services

Christine Blessinger serves as the Deputy Commissioner of Re-entry and Youth Services.  Chris oversees all areas of Re-entry to include case management, community corrections, education, DOL programs, HIRE team, religious services, Volunteers, and mentors. Chris also oversees the Division of Youth Services.  Chris began her career working for the Department of Correction in 2000 as a Psychiatric Social Service Specialist III at the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility.  She served as a Program Director 2 and was promoted to Program Director 1 at Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility.  Chris was then promoted to Assistant Director of the Division of Youth Services in 2008, She was responsible for program implementation, Comprehensive Case Management, and re-entry services before being promoted to the Executive Director for the Division of Youth Services in 2015.  Chris is a member of the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators where she is an Executive Board member and a member of the American Correctional Association (ACA).  Prior to working in corrections, Chris held positions of Youth Care Manager and Case Manager at the Henry County Youth Center.  Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Indiana State University.

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Adrienne Bedford holds a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University, in Huntsville, AL and she earned her medical degree from The University of Louisville School of Medicine, in Louisville, KY.  She completed her medical residency program in family medicine at Community Health Network. Dr. Bedford began her career in correctional medicine by serving as the Medical Director for the Indiana Woman’s Prison.  Before working in corrections, she has held many leadership positions such as serving as the chief medical officer for Shalom Health Care center and Deputy chief medical officer for Indiana Health Centers.  She has also worked as a staff physician with Eskenazi Medical Group, Marion County health department and Meridian Health Services. Dr. Bedford has spent her entire career providing quality health care to the underserved and vulnerable patient population.  She has a wealth of experience in managing chronic medical conditions with emphasis on preventative medicine.  Dr. Bedford has worked diligently in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to secure local, state, and federal funding for community health centers across the state of Indiana.  In her free time, she loves to volunteer in the community and spend time with her family.

Chief Legal Officer

Anna Quick has been with the Indiana Department of Correction since July of 2019, most recently serving as the Deputy General Counsel of Operations. Anna has worked closely with facilities, acting as a liaison for the Attorney General’s office for federal litigation, habeas corpus petitions, and other discovery and subpoena needs. Anna has also served as an advisor for the Office of Investigations and Intelligence, Parole Services, PREA, and Behavioral Health. She is excited for this new chapter as Chief Legal Officer and has an excellent team of attorneys supporting IDOC staff. Prior to coming to IDOC, Anna served the state as a Marion County Deputy Prosecutor for 6 years. She is a graduate of the Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, and Loyola University in Chicago.

Chief Communications Officer

Brandi Pahl is the Chief Communications Officer for the Indiana Department of Correction. Brandi comes to the state after serving in a similar role with the City of Indianapolis. Prior to that Brandi spent more than 16 years working in media. Brandi is a graduate of Indiana University East where she received her bachelor’s degree in communications studies. Brandi and her husband live in Indianapolis with their four kids, dog, and cat.