The Division of Adult Correction has named Wendy Hardy as the new warden at the Roanoke River Correctional Institution in Tillery.
Hardy had been the assistant chief of security for the prison system since 2021.
“Warden Hardy has almost a quarter-century of experience, a deep understanding of our security needs and a proven attention to detail that will serve her well in her new position,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “I am proud to welcome her to the ranks of our wardens who lead with such care and compassion.”
In her new position, Hardy is responsible for all operations at the Roanoke River Correctional Institution, formerly known as Caledonia Correctional. It is a male facility that houses medium and minimum custody offenders.
A veteran employee to state government, Hardy began her career as a correctional officer at Warren Correctional Institution in 1998.
She transferred to Nash Correctional Institution in Nashville in 2000, where she acted as a mentor to other correctional officers. She helped to train new officers at the prison and also filled in as acting sergeant when needed.
She was promoted to sergeant at that facility in 2003, to lieutenant in 2010 and to captain in 2014. In 2017, she was promoted again, to associate warden at the former Polk Correctional Institution in Butner.
In 2018, a new job took her to the prison administration building in Raleigh as a security compliance officer. She did security inspections of the state prisons, conducted security training, and developed security policies.
Later that year, she was named as a security specialist who worked on emergency preparedness and managed the prison system’s specialized teams in the field, including the Prison Emergency Response Team, Special Operations Response Team, the Hostage Negotiating Team and the Honor Guard.
She was named assistant chief of security in 2021.
Hardy graduated from the Department of Public Safety’s PEAK performance leadership and management training, and also received mediation and supervisory training.
She has been a member of the Prison Emergency Response Team since January 2005 holding the ranks of regional logistics officer, company commander, and assistant division commander. She also is a certified general instructor for the Department and holds certifications for specialized fields of instructions such as CRDT, cell extraction and expandable baton.
In her off time, Hardy enjoys going to concerts and spending time with her granddaughter and the rest of her family.
A Halifax County native, the prison she now leads is located in Halifax County on approximately 7,500 acres purchased by the state in 1899. It has been operated since 1892 as a state prison farm. Hardy was born and raised in Halifax County and is familiar with the facility and the surrounding areas.
About 5,500 acres of farmland are under cultivation at Roanoke River CI. Correction Enterprises manages the farm, which contains a poultry-laying operation and row crop/vegetable operation that plants corn, wheat and soybeans. In addition, the offenders farm 300 acres of sweet corn, collard greens, sweet potatoes, squash, cucumbers and melons.
Offenders also work in the prison's cannery. The cannery processes and cans the crops grown on the farm for distribution to prison kitchens across the state. The operation is 12,770 square feet and has the capability of canning about 500,000 gallons of commodities per year.
Offenders work on crews at the prison farm. They may also be assigned to maintenance or janitorial duties at the prison. Offenders may work on labor contracts and manual labor jobs for local governments. Other offenders work in the prison in food service, barbers, grass cutters and recreation clerks.
Halifax Community College works with the prison to provide vocational classes like cooking, block masonry, small engine repair, electrical wiring, commercial cleaning and plumbing.
At the prison, offenders may participate in classes for adult education and preparation for the high school equivalency exam. Offenders may also take part in self-help programs on substance abuse, stress, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, DART aftercare, minimum custody readiness and self-improvement.