A new warden will be taking over at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville in a few days. Kentucky Department of Corrections Commissioner Jim Erwin says DeEdra Hart is the first female to serve as warden at the 132-year old prison.
Hart is a 23-year veteran of the Department of Corrections and most recently served as warden at Green River Correctional Complex, a post she held from July 2015 to her appointment at Kentucky State Police. She also served as deputy warden at Western Kentucky Correctional Complex from 2012-2015.
Commissioner Erwin says in a release Hart was the logical choice for this important position, given her experience and expertise. He adds Hart has prepared herself to take on a maximum-custody prison operation.
Hart’s career began as a correctional officer in 1995 with the Department of Corrections at Western Kentucky Correctional Complex. Officials say she quickly moved up the ranks and has held numerous positions within institutions including classification and treatment officer, unit administrator and offender information supervisor.
In addition, Hart’s corrections career includes serving two years as a probation and parole officer in Owensboro.
Hart has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science from Murray State University. She is the recipient of the 2004 Commissioner’s Achievement Award and a graduate of the Commissioner’s Executive Leadership Program.
The release says she has been an active member of the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency (KCCD) since 2000, in which she has served three terms as chapter president for the Four Rivers KCCD chapter and thirteen terms as secretary for the KCCD board of directors. She is also a four-time recipient of the KCCD’s Mary Frances Cooper Award. In addition, Hart holds the office of state representative with the Southern States Correctional Association.
Hart officially takes over as warden at the prison in Eddyville on July 1st.