Warden Dave Donahue's Biography

J. David Donahue, Warden
Kentucky State Reformatory

Kentucky native J. David Donahue assumed the role of Warden of the Kentucky State Reformatory on August 1, 2008.

Warden Donahue has an extensive background in corrections.  He most recently served as Indiana Department of Correction’s Commissioner, a post he assumed in January 2005.  As Indiana Commissioner he led a workforce of 9,000 employees and supervised nearly 39,000 offenders.

Significant changes during his tenure include:

• Better Protection to the Public
• Improved Facility Security
• Raising Level of Staff Professionalism
• Enhancing Department Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Preparing Offender for Re-entry
• Promoting Idea Sharing, Improved Communications
• More Meaningful Offender Programming

From 2003 – 2005, Warden Donahue served as Deputy Commissioner of Support Services to the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections in Frankfort, Kentucky.

As Deputy Commissioner, Warden Donahue:

• Planned & supervised the duties of the Director of the Division of Administrative Services
• Planned, coordinated, & supervised the duties for the Director of the Division of Corrections Training, Director of the Division of Correctional Industries, the Branch Manager of the Offender Information Branch, and Branch Manager of the Information and Technology Branch

Warden Donahue has been married to his wife Jan for 26 years and they have three children.