Two high level V.I. government officials resigned this week – Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility Warden Donald Redwood and Director of the Division of Personnel Kenneth Hermon.
Diane Prosper was immediately appointed to the warden position, according to a statement from Government House.
Gov. John deJongh Jr., said he was saddened to see both men go.
"I’m very disappointed," he said of Redwood’s departure, "but I completely understand the reasons he has, with family and young children of high school age that must take priority."
"He put in some good procedures at Golden Grove … He made some difficult decisions quite frankly that initially made him unpopular but at the same time he put in place programs that I think outreached to some of the prisoners and detainees. so he is a very fair person," deJongh said of Redwood. Thanks in part to Redwood’s work, "we are on a good path right now and it is most important that we keep that going," deJongh said.
Prosper, the incoming warden, is an 18-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, rising through the ranks and most recently serving as assistant warden, a position she has held for six years. She holds a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in counseling from the University of the Virgin Islands.
Prosper was recently awarded an endorsement as a certified public manager as part of the territory’s ongoing program led by the Division of Personnel.
Hermon’s resignation is effective Nov. 3. He has been director of the Division of Personnel since the beginning of the deJongh administration in 2007. He is leaving for a position in Fulton County, Georgia.
DeJongh said he is "especially grateful for (Hermon’s) efforts and leadership on several high profile projects, including the Retroactive Wage Commission, the Classification and Compensation Study and the Certified Public Managers Program. Additionally, he has been a guiding force on the Government Employees Services Commission / Health Insurance Board of Trustees.”
“On behalf of a grateful Virgin Islands community, I congratulate Kenny on being selected to serve as the Director of Personnel in Fulton County. Our best wishes are with him and his family as he embarks on this new endeavor,” deJongh said Wednesday night.