Pocono News Section

Monroe County Names New Warden

Monroe County Names New Warden - Friday, October 30, 2009 at 1:30PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Oct 30, 2009 @ 01:30pm EDT
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - Monroe County is gaining a Prison Warden and losing a Commissioner. Monroe County Commissioner Donna Asure will take over as Warden at the county correctional facility. She said,"I'm very honored that they allowed me to step up to the plate and take on this responsibility."

The Prison Board voted on the decision Friday morning. The Commissioners will approve the decision next month. Asure has been a Commissioner for ten years. She took over Acting Warden duties six months ago. She said, "I knew all along that I was really starting to enjoy the challenges of running a correctional facility."

In the past year and a half the jail has had six leadership changes. The last Warden was suspended for mishandling an employee incident. This year an inmate committed suicide. In 2007 several prison employees were accused of having sex with inmates.

Asure said she can turn things around for county leaders. She explained, "I will not allow them to be embarrassed by not knowing what's going on out there or not having done the right thing to protect something bad from happening."

The Prison Board reported Asure has already made a difference. Board member Suzanne McCool said, "The moral in this facility has taken a huge turn for the better and it's because of Donna Asure."

But some have argued Asure doesn't have enough criminal justice experience. But McCool said,"People say 'she doesn't have the resume. I don't give a crap what's on a resume because that does not tell you whether a person can do the job."

Asure said, "I hope in a very short amount of time to win those critics over - prove them incorrect - and be able to just partner with them to work to move this facility forward."

The county's President Judge will name a replacement for Asure on the Commissioners Board.