09/24/2026
MEET THE STAFF:
For COI Elijah Dunker, a career in corrections wasn’t necessarily the original destination. When he joined the Vermont Department of Corrections about 14 months ago, he initially viewed the job as a stepping stone toward a career in law enforcement.
That plan has changed.
“I was initially going to use corrections as a jump into law enforcement,” Dunker said. “Now I’ve kind of set myself here.”
Part of that change came from discovering that the reality of corrections—particularly in Vermont—was very different from what he expected.
**A Different Picture of Corrections**
Before arriving at Northwest State Correctional Facility, Dunker admits that much of his perception of prison came from what most people see on television.
“I thought it was going to be more hardcore—gangs, fights, stabbings,” he said. “When I got to the facility, I realized that’s really not what Vermont DOC is about.”
Instead, he discovered a system with a much greater emphasis on rehabilitation.
“It’s more about helping them become a better person and trying to deter them from criminal activity,” Dunker said.
That realization continued during his first few weeks at Northwest.
“At first, it was a shock,” he said. “I looked at prison as, if they’re here, they’re being punished for a crime. I didn’t expect things like TVs in their cells, tablets and everything that we offer them.”
Over time, however, he began to understand the purpose behind those resources.
“I see the reason why we offer those things, because we don’t want them to be here,” Dunker said. “We want to help them become a better person on the street. We want to set them up for success when they leave here.”
**More Than Watching a Unit**
That rehabilitation-focused mission is also one of the things Dunker believes people outside corrections understand least about the profession.
“I think people believe we just go sit in a unit and hound on the inmates, and that’s not what we do,” he said. “We go in there and actually build rapport with the incarcerated individuals.”
For Dunker, those relationships are an important part of maintaining a safe facility while also helping people prepare for life beyond incarceration.
“We try to offer them all the resources and materials that we can,” he said. “I don’t think people on the outside always understand that. They see something on TV and think that’s how every prison is.”
**Firm, Fair and Consistent**
Ask Dunker what separates a good correctional officer from a great one, and his answer gets directly to one of the fundamentals of corrections.
“Being fair, firm and consistent,” he said. “If you’re not fair, firm and consistent, you’re going to have a hard road, because going from a no to a yes is easier than going from a yes to a no.”
He has also learned the importance of trusting his judgment.
“One thing I’ve learned is to go with your gut,” Dunker said. “If you think that’s the right decision to make, make it. We can always learn from our mistakes.”
That ability to trust your judgment becomes particularly important when an otherwise routine shift suddenly becomes anything but routine.
“You’ve got to stay calm,” he said. “There are going to be high-stress moments, but if you get more stressed out, you’re just going to make the situation worse. Stay calm, take a breath, take everything in and know that your coworkers are going to have your back.”
**More Than Coworkers**
When Dunker talks about Northwest, one of the things he clearly values is the camaraderie he has found among the staff.
“For some of my coworkers, I don’t see them as just coworkers,” he said. “I’ve gotten close with people on my shift and throughout the facility. It’s not just coming to work together. You can make some really good friendships.”
Those relationships have become an important part of his experience at NWSCF.
“We have a really good crew here at Northwest,” Dunker said. “It’s phenomenal.”
For someone walking through the doors for their first shift, Dunker’s advice is simple: experience the job for yourself before deciding what corrections is—or whether it is right for you.
“You’re going to be given a lot from day one,” he said. “Don’t let one correctional officer lead you to a decision about the job. You’re going to hear different opinions. Take it all in and make your own decision. Make the best judgment for you.”
**Life Outside the Uniform**
Away from Northwest, Dunker’s priorities begin with family and the outdoors.
“I really love spending time with my family and getting outdoors,” he said.
Moving from Arizona to Vermont also introduced him to a whole new range of outdoor activities.
“In the winter, I ski. I try to get on the mountains as much as I can,” he said. “In the fall and summer, I try to hunt, fish, shoot—whatever I can do to get outdoors and spend that time.”
And although corrections may originally have been intended as a stop along the way to something else, Dunker’s answer to the final Fast Five question says quite a bit about where he is today.
Asked what he would choose if he could instantly become an expert in any one thing, his answer came quickly:
“What I’m doing right now—being a correctional officer or working in law enforcement.”
**THE FAST FIVE**
*Coffee or energy drink?*
Energy drink.
*Early bird or night owl?*
Night owl.
*Favorite meal?*
Pizza.
*One song you’ll never skip?*
“Big Green Tractor” — Jason Aldean.
*If you could instantly become an expert in one thing?*
Being a correctional officer or working in law enforcement.
