CALDWELL — The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced James “Jay” Forshey, warden at Noble Correctional Institution, is its 2024 DRC Warden of the Year.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” the DRC noted in a news release. “Jay leads by example. He is consistently out among the incarcerated population and staff listening to their concerns and learning about who they are.”

Forshey began his career with the DRC in 1995 as the storekeeper supervisor at Belmont Correctional Institution west of St. Clairsville. He has served in several positions at Belmont and Noble correctional institutions, including interim correctional warden’s assistant, labor relations officer, and deputy warden. He then transferred to the Lake Erie Correctional Institution as the assistant warden until being named warden of the Ohio State Penitentiary in October 2013. After two years at OSP Jay transitioned into the role of Southeast Region reentry administrator. After working in the Office of Reentry for over four years, Forshey returned ‘back home” to become warden of the Noble Correctional Institution.

“He genuinely cares about the people he serves and believes that the success of the workplace is due to the employees who execute their job with professionalism daily,” the release states. “He has instituted ‘town hall’ meetings at NCI with incarcerated individuals representing each housing unit.

“This allows common questions and concerns to be addressed in a clear and concise manner. It also lets the residents at NCI know that their opinions matter and that respect is a two-way street.”

Forshey is a member of the American Correctional Association, Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association, Correctional Accreditation Association of Ohio and a member and past president of the Ohio Wardens and Superintendents Association.

“Jay always puts others before himself and is willing to help others,” said Donald Morgan, the south region specialty director. “As a Christian man, he has faith in God and consistently looks for the good in everyone. Many people seek Jay’s advice and mentorship because of his approachable demeanor, encouraging others to share their thoughts.

“Jay’s open-door-like policy for his staff has led to a lot of meaningful change at NCI,” said Director Annette Chambers-Smith. “He’s created an environment where staff feel comfortable approaching him with their ideas and input on the everyday operations of the institution.”