The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Carlos Hernandez as warden at Alexander Correctional Institution in Taylorsville.
Hernandez, 56, had been the warden at Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine since 2016.
“Warden Hernandez is outstanding, simply outstanding,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “He is a consummate corrections professional with a deep knowledge of prison operations, experience at a significant number of our facilities and he brings outstanding organizational, leadership and motivational skills to his new post.”
In his new position, Hernandez is responsible for all operations at the Alexander Correctional Institution, a male close custody facility that houses a complex offender population with specialized security, physical and mental health needs.
The prison features a Correction Enterprise plant that produces wood products items and upholstered furniture. Staff from Catawba Valley Community College conducts an instruction program that works to train offenders in the manufacturing process. Instructors from the college also provide instruction for the offender population for basic education, high school equivalency preparation, computer application, commercial cleaning and horticulture technology.
A veteran employee to state government, Hernandez began his career as a correctional officer at the now-closed Western Youth Institution in 1992.
During his 28 years with the Department of Public Safety, he has worked at seven different facilities, where he has progressed through the ranks to his current position as warden. He served in various positions at Western Youth and the former Burke Youth Center, as well as Marion, Alexander, Mountain View, Avery-Mitchell and Piedmont correctional institutions.
Hernandez served two tours in combat as an infantryman with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
He holds an associate degree in business from American Intercontinental University and is a graduate of the Correctional Leadership Development Program. He was member of the Prison Emergency Response Team and is the Western Region Drug Interdiction Team leader.
He is a passionate angler, both saltwater and freshwater, and loves to garden and study history. He has been married for 30 years.