BY MICHELLE KIM

Joanne Fortier was appointed as warden of the New Hampshire State Prison for Women by the executive council Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Fortier, a 22-year veteran of the department of corrections, has served as acting warden since February, when previous warden Richard Gerry transferred to the men’s prison in Concord.

“I am pleased that the governor and Executive Council agreed with my recommendation to appoint warden Fortier to this position permantly,” said Corrections Commissioner William Wrenn. “In the last eight months, she has done an exceptional job managing this facility.”

Her experience includes a stint as a guard at the men’s prison in Concord and chief parole officer in Merrimack County. Most recently, she was assistant director of field services and community corrections since 1999, where she oversaw a female combined minimum security unit and halfway house, male halfway houses and male minimum security unit.

She identified the primary challenge facing the Goffstown prison as preparing women to re-enter society and live independently.

“Primarily, we need to focus on preparation and marketable job skills, and simultaneously focus on mental health and substance abuse issues,” said Fortier.

To move toward these goals, she said the prison has hired a new case manager and counselor to help the women develop comprehensive community support as they leave the prison environment, and a substance abuse counselor who would develop a parole enhancement program offering inpatient substance abuse treatment.

Fortier also acknowledged challenges in the lack of space and said the Legislature recently approved funds to transfer some women to the county facility.

“We’ve been reviewing various offers by the county programs to determine where women’s needs would be best met.”

While there won’t be much change in her day-to-day duties, she said she appreciates the affirmation.

“I’m grateful for the confidence placed in me by Commissioner Wrenn and Gov. Lynch and members of the Executive Council,” said Fortier. “I’m looking forward to the opportunties and the challenges ahead.”