A former warden of two east metro prisons has been named an assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC).
John King, a 30-year veteran who started his career as a corrections officer at Oak Park Heights, moved into his new job in St. Paul this week. As assistant commissioner of the Facility Services Division, he will have authority over the operation of Minnesota's nine prisons and their education programs.
King reports to Terry Carlson, who was promoted to deputy commissioner after the recent retirement of David Crist.
"John is an exceptional leader who has held a variety of jobs with the DOC," said Commissioner Tom Roy. "He is an excellent mentor with sharp knowledge of corrections."
King served as associate warden of operations and later warden at Stillwater prison. Most recently he was warden at Lino Lakes. He was among the officers who opened the Oak Park Heights prison in 1982 and the Rush City prison in 2000.
Also this week, Eddie Miles has returned to the warden's job in Lino Lakes, where he became a corrections officer in 1992. Miles had been warden at Lino Lakes from 2009-11 before being assigned as warden of St. Cloud prison. Miles also has been a DOC investigator, a program director and an associate warden of operations.
Collin Gau was appointed acting warden at St. Cloud, effective Monday.
KEVIN GILES
