LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Department of Corrections Director Dwayne Clark is retiring. Clark notified Mayor Greg Fischer he plans to step down next month. 

What You Need To Know

  • Metro Corrections director Dwayne Clark announces retirement

  • Seven inmates have died at LMDC since November

  • Metro Council approved hiring an investigator to audit practices and policies at LMDC

  • Clark became director in 2019

In a statement Fischer said, “When Dwayne agreed to take on this critical job in 2019, the city and nation were yet to learn about the impending global pandemic that would lead to historic shocks and strains to jails across the nation. Dwayne has led his team through this once-in-a-generation pandemic, which brought health and safety challenges and historic vacancies to the public safety sector. He rose to this historic moment by putting numerous reforms in place to improve the conditions of the jail for our inmate population and for our dedicated Metro Corrections employees.”

Since November, seven people have died while incarcerated at LMDC. On Thursday, March 18, Metro Council passed an emergency resolution to hire former FBI agent David Beyer to investigate Metro Corrections. Beyer will look into the polices and practices at the jail. He will then present his findings to Metro Council. Beyer also investigated the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) at the request of the council.

Clark’s retirement comes after a “no confidence” resolution by the Metro Council in February.

Last month, jail leaders said they were working to make changes at LMDC, including new starting hourly rates and pay increases for current officers and a new medical contract. Clark told Spectrum News 1, “The most recent deaths are frustrating,” he said. “It’s concerning and so that’s why I want to assure you that me and my staff are working hard each day, examining our processes and seeing what we can do to improve on our processes.”

Clark joined LMDC in July 2004 as Deputy Director and then served as chief of staff from 2009 until 2019. Clark was named director in 2019.

“Through 42 years as a corrections professional, my greatest honor has been to serve the people of Louisville and to work hand-in-hand with the dedicated employees of Louisville Metro Department of Corrections,” said Clark in a statement. “My deepest thanks goes to those employees for enhancing public safety with their commitment to caring for our incarcerated population, while facing incredibly difficult circumstances.”

A statement Friday from the mayor’s office said under Clark’s leadership the jail was the only jail in the state to achieve accreditation from the American Correctional Association, the inmate population decreased to its lowest rate in years and steps were taken to improve medical care for inmates.

The mayor’s office said Clark’s successor will be announced before his departure. 

Editor's note: A previous version of this story said Clark's resignation came shortly after a "no confidence" vote by Metro Council, but he actually announced his retirement , not resignation.

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