The warden who oversaw the hostage crisis at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center that left one prison guard dead is out.
David Pierce served as the warden at Vaughn for the past three years after being promoted through the ranks – initially starting as a prison guard in 1996.
He had been on paid administrative leave since late February.
Department of Correction officials say Pierce has been “reassigned” but won’t comment on personnel matters.
On Feb. 1, up to 120 inmates took three correctional officers and a civilian counselor hostage. At some point one officer - Steven Floyd - was killed, according to corrections officials, but it’s unclear how or who did it.
Pierce is just part of the fallout. At least 25 guards have resigned or retired from Vaughn and another 29 medical contractors quit since the crisis. The prison’s security superintendent has also been reassigned.
Deputy Warden Phil Parker will continue to serve as acting warden.
