Montana News

Montana Women's Prison warden announces retirement

Posted: Mar 19, 2013 9:50 PM by Jay Kohn - MTN News

BILLINGS - The warden at the Montana Women's Prison, Jo Acton, announced today that she's retiring from the job she's held since 1995.

Just last week, Department of Corrections officials placed the long-time warden on administrative leave, due to personnel issues.

Acton's final day on the job at the Women's Prison will be April 19.

The warden broke the news of her pending retirement in an email sent to her staff this morning, telling them, "it's been an exciting 20 years plus and a great deal has been achieved with your efforts. I know that all of you will continue doing great things."

In her letter of retirement sent to Department of Corrections Director Mike Bautista, Acton says, "I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the talented people in the department and know that many accomplishments will be made in the upcoming years."

Department spokesman Bob Anez said Acton was not asked or forced to retire. Anez says because of Acton's retirement, the administrative leave and the review process announced last week, is now "moot".

Acton is on vacation for the next two weeks, and then plans to return to the prison April 1to help work on the transition process.

Anez says no decision has been made regarding who will replace Acton.

Her retirement takes effect on July 1.