Corrections Department Hires Cranston Native for Tough, Important Job

A key part of the rehabilitation of inmates at the Adult Correctional Institutions is effective substance abuse treatment and counseling. So it's a big deal when the state Department of Corrections announces the hiring of someone to be in charge of that role the state prison must play.

Corrections Director Ashabel T. Wall II today announced Lou Cerbo of Cranston has become the RIDOC's Clinical Director/Psychologist, effective Oct. 11. He replaces Dr. Fredric Friedman, who retired in December of 2011.

Cerbo is a CLCF youth basketball coach in his free time. And he's familiar with the ACI, as he was the clinical psychologist at the V.A. Medical Center since May 2010. Before that, he was the administrator of adult psychiatric services/director of psychological services at the Eleanor Slater Hospital.

"He was helpful in resolving some difficult transfers of ACI inmates to and from the Forensic Unit located in the basement of the Pinel Building on the Pastore Complex. It was in this capacity that Director Wall and Assistant Director for Rehabilitative Services Roberta Richman observed his work and were impressed with his professionalism," said Tracey E. Zeckhausen, spokeswoman.

“He was a natural successor to our previous Clinical Director,” Richman said.

Before working at Eleanor Slater Hospital, Cerbo has worked in various hospital positions and provided forensic evaluation, assessment and clinical therapy to inmates at Bridgewater State Hospital and the Bristol County House of Correction in Massachusetts as well as the Donald W. Wyatt Federal Prison in Central Falls, where he was a forensic psychologist.

Cerbo is a member of the American Board of Forensic Examiners and the Rhode Island Psychological Association. He is also a member of the adjuct facility at the University of Rhode Island's Department of Psychology.

A state employee for 13 years, Cerbo obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling/Clinical Psychology, a Master of Education in Counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, all from Boston University. In addition, he received a Master of Arts in Psychology: Personality and Social from Rhode Island College.

On top of all this, he maintains a private counseling practice, Sakonnet Psychological Services.

"I am very impressed with how well people communicate with each other here, since communication is especially key in corrections," Cerbo said in a release.

Updated Oct. 21: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Dr. Fredric Friedman's name. We regret the error.