New Warden Named At Indiana Women's Prison

The Indiana Women’s Prison has a new warden.

LaShelle Turner was promoted to run the Indianapolis facility, according to an internal Department of Correction announcement. Turner has worked at several Indiana prisons, including the women’s prison, since she began her career in 1991. She most recently served as a deputy warden of the men’s prison in Plainfield.

As Side Effects Public Media previously reported, the women’s prison had come under scrutiny during the pandemic. Last summer, women were locked in their cells for long periods without toilets, running water, or air conditioning.

Current and former employees also complained that they felt pressured to treat women inside harshly, and of lax COVID-19 protocols.

The Department of Correction began a comprehensive review of the prison in January. The previous warden, Laurie Johnson, retired shortly after.