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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 17, 1998
CONTACT: Perrin Damon (503)945-0925
TWO PRISON SUPERINTENDENTS APPOINTED
Management changes in several Oregon prisons were announced today by Corrections Director David S. Cook. The changes will occur gradually through July.
Jean Hill, acting superintendent of Powder River Correctional Facility in Baker City will succeed George Baldwin as superintendent of Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton. Mr. Baldwin retired January 1 but stayed on until a successor could be named. He will assist Ms. Hill with the transition during late May and June.
In turn, Dan Johnson, superintendent of Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, asked to return to Powder River Correctional Facility as superintendent, a position he held from its opening in 1989 until 1994. Johnson´s assignment at Snake River was to oversee the institution´s massive expansion from 648 beds to 3,000 beds. With the substantial completion of the prison in early summer and phased-in occupancy underway, Mr. Johnson felt his work was essentially finished and the vacancy at Powder River, "too good to pass up."
A nationwide search will begin Monday, April 20, for a superintendent to succeed Mr. Johnson.
Since Johnson became superintendent of Snake River Correctional Institution in August 1994, he successfully guided the prison through major changes besides expansion. Along with becoming the largest prison in the state goes dramatic growth in staff: the prison has begun to employ new staff that will grow to approximately 1,000 employees.
Director Cook praised Mr. Johnson today, saying, "Dan came to Snake River with a reputation as a superintendent who believed productive inmates not only make better inmates, but make better citizens upon their return to society."
Jean Hill was on a two-year job rotation filling in for Debra Slater as superintendent at Powder River.
In 1997 Ms. Slater accepted a temporary assignment in Salem with Inmate Work Programs that subsequently developed into a permanent position thus creating the vacancy at Powder River that will be filled by Mr. Johnson.
Ms. Hill looks at the chance to head EOCI in Pendleton as a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact on the safety of Oregonians. During her 24-year career in the corrections profession, Ms. Hill is noted for leading the Department of Corrections into the information age in the early- to mid-1990´s as Assistant Director for Information Systems and Services.
Ms. Hill has extensive experience in adult and juvenile corrections including jail management and community corrections. Mr. Cook noted, "Jean brings a strong systems approach, excellent communications skills, and an ability to manage complex projects successfully. Having graduated from Blue Mountain Community College, and having a passion for Eastern Oregon, makes this an excellent match for not only the institution, but for Umatilla County as well."
4/17/98 hagenb
last revision 2-22-2000 peg cook
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