Michelle Carlton has been promoted to warden of the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women.
Ms. Carlton previously served as deputy warden and acting warden of NCCIW.
“With more than two decades of experience in corrections, Warden Carlton has proven to be an effective leader who is well positioned to manage one of our premier institutions,” said Secretary of Adult Correction Leslie Cooley Dismukes. “The NC Department of Adult Correction is fortunate to have someone with her experience, knowledge and leadership abilities to take on this responsibility.”
As warden, Ms. Carlton is in charge of all operations at NCCIW. The Raleigh facility houses more than 1,000 women of all custody levels — minimum, medium and close — as well as Death Row for women. It serves as a medical hub for women in custody throughout the state. As a diagnostic center, NCCIW is the entry point for all women admitted to prison.
Ms. Carlton began her career in 2003 at Sampson Correctional Institution as a correctional officer, transitioning to case manager two years later. In 2010 she was promoted to case analyst at NCCIW, then to diagnostic center director. In 2018 she became associate warden for programs. She moved to Central Prison in 2020 as its associate warden for programs, returning to NCCIW in 2023 as deputy warden.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Augustine’s College and an M.S. in administration from Central Michigan University. Professionally, she has completed the Wardens Exchange Program and the Wardens Peer Instruction Program, and she holds an advanced certificate in criminal justice from the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.