Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi appointed a convicted murderer to work as a senior administrator responsible for helping reform the state’s youth corrections system.

Joel Caston serves as the special advisor for a newly formed team at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), according to the agency’s website. His LinkedIn profile indicates he has been serving in a high-level position within the newly formed “Core Innovation Team” at DJS since January 2023.

“I’m focused on driving meaningful change within our system,” Caston said on LinkedIn. “My role involves collaborating on forward-thinking strategies that enhance youth rehabilitation and community engagement.”

“I’m passionate about creating opportunities that empower young individuals to turn their lives around and build a brighter future,” Caston added.

Court records indicate that the now 48-year-old was released on parole in November 2021 after serving 26 years for a first-degree murder conviction.

Caston was convicted in 1996 in the fatal shooting of Rafique Washington. The shooting took place outside New China Carryout at the intersection of 16th Street and Good Hope Road in Southeast Washington, D.C. Caston was 18 at the time.

“As [witness] was trying to open the car door, he heard a gunshot and saw Washington fall in front of the carryout’s front door,” the court record said. “[The witness] testified that he then saw [Joel Caston] … run toward Washington, place a revolver inches from Washington’s body, almost touching Washington’s head, and fired ‘above five’ additional shots.”

“[The witness] testified initially that [Caston] was ‘standing over’ Washington, but then explained that [Caston] was ‘steadily moving’ while he was shooting,” the court record adds.

Caston has maintained his innocence in court filings.

Still a Washington, D.C., resident, Caston was previously appointed by the Council of the District of Columbia to serve on the District of Columbia Sentencing Commission. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves wrote a five-page letter opposing Caston’s appointment despite the City Council unanimously approving his place on the commission.

“The primary point we wish to convey is that the criminal justice system that the District has constructed does not meet the crime crisis we face,” U.S. Attorney Graves wrote. “The nominee’s story of transformation is prominently featured on the website of an advocacy organization that is focused on, among other things, decarceration.”

Caston’s resume shows he has held a consulting position at the Justice Policy Institute since leaving prison in 2021. The Justice Policy Institute, a nonprofit advocacy group Schiraldi co-founded, did not respond to comment requests Thursday.

The Justice Policy Institute still lists Caston as a fellow on its website. U.S. Attorney Graves also referenced the fact that Caston was the first individual to be elected to office in Washington, D.C. while incarcerated.

“While we recognize the nominee’s work while incarcerated … neither that work nor his lived experience as an incarcerated person renders him an expert in sentencing policy matters,” U.S. Attorney Graves added.

The February minutes from the Sentencing Commission’s initial meeting with Caston as an appointed official showed that he suggested the oversight board change the word “inmate” to “incarcerated person” when the previous meeting’s record was read.

Caston consistently featured his numerous public appearances on his social media accounts. These posts include photos on an Instagram account with Schiraldi, DJS Deputy Secretary Marc Schindler and Gov. Wes Moore.

“Good Vibes #marylandgovernor,” Caston said in an August 2023 post.

In a November 2023 social media post, Caston shared a video featuring him and Schiraldi.

“A huge shout out to friend and statesman Vincent Schiraldi on his new book MASS SUPERVISION,” Caston said.

FOX45 News found a social advocacy report published by the MILPA Collective that thanked Schiraldi, Schindler and Caston for their work at Rikers Island. The report said Schiraldi had to move quickly to accomplish the advocacy project’s goals.

“This report will discuss the unique approach taken to build a grassroots movement from the ‘inside’ to disrupt the status quo, including the struggle, strategy and arrows we encountered along the way,” said the MILPA report. “Having the project lead situated within the administration worked from the inside to elevate the project’s goals and reporting for the Commissioner was a critical part of the equation to create sweeping changes quickly.”

A spokesperson for MIPLA confirmed to FOX45 News its organization’s involvement while Schiraldi was leading the New York City Department of Corrections.

“Yes, MILPA Collective was the organization behind the work at Rikers Island and the report you listed,” a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, a federal monitoring report on New York City’s correctional facilities said the system was in a “summer crisis” under Schiraldi’s tenure, resulting in a non-compliant grade.

“The [New York City] Department [of Corrections] is in a crisis. A crucial foundation for effective leadership is adequate supervision and accountability,” the federal report said. “At the moment, both are lacking.”

It is not immediately clear what the hiring qualifications and background check requirements are for senior positions inside DJS.

Open positions listed on Maryland’s website show that facility resident advisors, cooks and case management specialists require extensive background checks and fingerprinting. For other open positions, “candidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply” appears at the bottom of the job posting.

FOX45 News sent repeated messages to Joel Caston, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and Gov. Wes Moore’s office about what the state policy is to hire a convicted felon for a senior leadership position inside state youth detention facilities.

Questions were neither acknowledged nor answered.

Have a news tip? Contact Gary Collins at gmcollins@sbgtv.com or at x.com/realgarycollins.