Rhode Island Department of Corrections Director Ashbel T. Wall II has announced the promotion of former Chief Legal Counsel Patricia Coyne-Fague of Glocester, R.I., to Assistant Director of Administrative Services. Ms. Coyne-Fague had been serving in that role in an acting capacity since the departure of Ellen Evans Alexander, who left in February of this year.
Coyne-Fague joined the RIDOC's legal team as Senior Legal Counsel in January 2000 having served as Deputy Director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office for three years. Prior to that, she was a Family Court Prosecutor/District Court Prosecutor for the RIAG's Office for three years. She was promoted to Chief Legal Counsel at the RIDOC in 2004, a role she has held ever since.
In an e-mail announcing the promotion to the Department's employees, Director Wall wrote, "During her years with us, Trish has earned a reputation for being approachable, knowledgeable, capable and very effective in representing the interests of our agency and its staff." He went on, "Her knowledge of our agency's operations, her acquaintance with virtually every aspect of our work, and her understanding of the extensive interplay between administrative activities and legal issues render her well qualified for this promotion."
Asked what she most likes about her work at the RIDOC, Ms. Coyne-Fague speaks about the people. "From the Officers, to the Wardens, to the Lawyers, to the medical, Probation and other Rehab staff, to administrators, and everyone in between, the level of knowledge, commitment and professionalism exhibited by the employees of this Department makes me proud and grateful to work here."
Ms. Coyne-Fague received her law degree from New England School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from Rhode Island College. She has taught as an adjust professor at Rhode Island College and volunteers at LaSalle Academy and St. Philip's Church/School in Greenville.