For Immediate Release

October 2, 2019

Contact
Randy Bowman, Executive Director of Public Affairs
785-296-5656
Randall.Bowman@ks.gov

Corrections announces two appointments to warden posts

Acting Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced today the appointment of two longtime Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) administrators to lead Norton and Topeka correctional facilities, effective October 6.

Gloria Geither, the agency’s case management and mentoring director, will serve as warden for Topeka Correctional Facility while Norton Correctional Facility Acting Warden Hazel Peterson will permanently take the helm at Norton.

“We are fortunate to draw upon the experience of two corrections veterans who have a dedication to improving the lives of our offenders and a commitment to staff,” Zmuda said. “Both Gloria and Hazel are trusted leaders within the agency who have a strong understanding of our challenges and a desire to make Kansas safer.”

The appointments of Geither and Peterson follow Shannon Meyer being named as warden for the state’s oldest facility for male offenders, Lansing Correctional Facility, in August. The leadership at three of the state’s eight adult correctional facilities now will be held by women, the largest number in the agency’s history.

Geither replaces the vacancy left by Meyer’s move from Topeka Correctional Facility, the state’s only women’s prison. Currently, the facility has a population of 902.

Previously, Geither oversaw the agency’s Mentoring4Success program and efforts to improve risk-reduction strategies to improve recidivism and overall prison admissions.

Geither began her career with the KDOC in 1990 at Topeka Correctional Facility as the director of the women’s activities and learning center. She would go on to serve as the agency’s director of religious services.

Geither received her bachelor’s degree in administration of justice with an emphasis in corrections and a minor in sociology from Wichita State University. She received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas.

Peterson’s appointment comes following former Warden Joel Hrabe’s move to Corrections’ deputy secretary of facility management. Norton Correctional Facility houses low-medium and minimum-custody male offenders and has a current population of 971.

Peterson began her career at Norton in 1992 while working in the food service area. She became a corrections counselor in 1996 and steadily rose through the ranks to become a corrections manager in 2004. During her career, Peterson has been recognized for her work in classification and in re-entry and risk-reduction programming and services. In 2018, Peterson was named a deputy warden at Norton.

Peterson attended Barton County Community College and completed the KDOC Leadership Academy.

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