Stephen Warden to lead Community Supervision Operations in District 21

Officials with the NC Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) have promoted Stephen L. Warden to the position of Judicial District Manager (JDM) in Judicial District 21, effective Feb. 2.

In his new position, Warden will oversee Community Supervision operations in Forsyth County. District 21 includes 92 probation/parole officers and staff who supervise more than 2,600 individuals sentenced to probation, parole or post-release supervision.

"Stephen Warden has consistently brought people together and built strong teams dedicated to creating safer communities," said Leslie Cooley Dismukes, secretary for the Department of Adult Correction. "He has a great track-record of leading our officers in their efforts to help those they supervise find a better path forward."

"I am very pleased to promote Stephen Warden," said Tracy K. Lee, chief deputy secretary for Community Supervision. "His many years of dedicated leadership in Forsyth County and Division 3 make the perfect choice for JDM in District 21."

Warden began his career in 2001 as a probation/parole officer (PPO) in Forsyth County. During 12 years as a PPO, he worked in Forsyth and Catawba counties supervising a variety of caseloads. In 2013, he was promoted to chief probation/parole officer (CPPO) and in 2018, he was promoted to assistant judicial district manager (AJDM), all in Forsyth County.

His most recent position, since 2023, has been AJDM in District 22, which includes Alexander, Davidson, Davie and Iredell counties.

Warden is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte where he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He also is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro, where he earned a master's degree in public administration.