April 2, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Winder, Communications & Information Manager

                   Darin Young Nmed Next Warden of South Dakota State Penitentiary

PIERRE, S.D. - Secretary of Corrections Denny Kaemingk has announced that Darin Young has been named the next Warden of the South Dakota State Penitentiary.

Young worked for the South Dakota Department of Corrections for 21 years, beginning as a correctional officer in May 1990. He was promoted to unit management and security positions before being named Associate Warden in 2007. He left his DOC position to become the Warden of the Minnehaha County Jail in July 2011.

“Darin’s wealth of corrections experience on the state and local level give him a global view of corrections which will benefit him in the position of warden,” said Corrections Secretary Denny Kaemingk. “He has a true vision for the DOC and is well suited to lead the Penitentiary staff. Darin understands the challenges and importance of security and safety and using Evidence Based Practices to prepare offenders for release and reduce recidivism.”

Young will rejoin the DOC in May, prior to the June 7 retirement of Director of Prison Operations and Chief Warden Doug Weber. Young will report directly to Mike Durfee State Prison Warden Bob Dooley, who will assume the Director of Prison Operations and Chief Warden duties upon Weber’s retirement.

“I look forward to working again with Wardens Weber and Dooley as I transition back into working at the State Penitentiary,” said Young. “My experience as Warden of the jail was brief, but valuable to my professional development in assuming responsibility for a full-security jail and work release center, supervising staff, enforcing policies and procedures, preparing a budget and managing daily operations.”

Young holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota and has completed master’s level classes in Administrative Studies as part of the State Government Leadership Excellence Program.

Jennifer Wagner, Director of Security, has been promoted to Deputy Warden at the Penitentiary. She replaces Daryl Slykhuis, who retired March 29.

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