Sec. 7. (a) The commissioner shall determine which state owned or operated correctional facilities are to be maintained for criminal offenders and which are to be maintained for delinquent offenders.

     (b) The commissioner shall determine which state owned or operated correctional facilities need, for effective management, administration by a warden. The commissioner shall appoint a warden for each correctional facility. However, the commissioner may appoint a person as warden of two (2) or more facilities if the commissioner finds that it would be economical to do so and would not adversely effect the management of the facilities.

     (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), a warden must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

     (d) If a warden does not hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, the warden must have at least ten (10) years of experience in public safety work.

     (e) In addition to the requirements described in subsections (c) and (d), a warden must have held a management position in correctional or related work for a minimum of five (5) years. A warden is entitled to a salary to be determined by the budget agency with the approval of the governor.

     (f) If a warden position becomes vacant, the commissioner may appoint an acting warden to discharge the duties and powers of a warden on a temporary basis.

As added by Acts 1979, P.L.120, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.43-2002, SEC.1; P.L.246-2005, SEC.93; P.L.47-2008, SEC.1; P.L.100-2012, SEC.28; P.L.67-2017, SEC.7.