Four new wardens, including the first permanent female warden at the Women’s Community Correctional Center, are set to begin their duties on Tuesday, according to the state Department of Public Safety.

What You Need To Know

  • Ione Guillanta's appointment comes as PSD prepares to relocate the female population at Oahu Community Correctional Center to WCCC late this year

  • Shannon Cluney (Halawa Correctional Facility) started as a correctional officer for the Idaho Department of Corrections in 1987 and retired as the state’s deputy chief of prisons in 2017

  • Liane Endo started at DPS in 1999 and has held positions as a parole officer at the Hawaii Paroling Authority, human services professional at the Maui Intake Service Center and MCCC corrections supervisor

  • Jerry Jona has been serving as acting warden of KCCC since the retirement of former warden Neal Wagatsuma in December 2021

The new wardens include Ione Guillonta (WCCC); Shannon Cluney (Halawa Correctional Facility); Liane Endo (Maui Community Correctional Center); and Jerry Jona (Kauai Community Correctional Center).

“These individuals come with many years of experience, in-depth knowledge, and dedication within the correctional field,” said PSD deputy director for corrections Michael Hoffman in a statement released on Saturday. “We are excited and honored to have these outstanding civil servants on board and to be a part of our Corrections administrative team.”

Guillonta comes with 30 years of experience in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, retiring as a deputy warden in 2020. Her appointment comes as PSD prepares to relocate the female population at Oahu Community Correctional Center to WCCC late this year.

“This represents a major permanent change to where women pre-trial detainees and sentenced women misdemeanants are held on Oahu and Warden Guillonta’s timely appointment dovetails nicely with coming changes,” said PSD director Tommy Johnson.

Cluney also arrives with 30 years of correctional experience. He started as a correctional officer for the Idaho Department of Corrections in 1987 and retired as the state’s deputy chief of prisons in 2017. 

“Mr. Cluney’s appointment as Halawa warden will bring fresh ideas and modern correctional concepts to the State’s primary male prison facility,” Johnson said. “His vast knowledge and experience will be invaluable as the Department of Public Safety transitions to become the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.” 

Endo started at DPS in 1999 and has held positions as a parole officer at the Hawaii Paroling Authority, human services professional at the Maui Intake Service Center and MCCC corrections supervisor.

“Warden Endo has been the acting warden at MCCC since October 2022 and her promotion represents changes needed to move the department and MCCC forward,” Johnson said.

Jona has been serving as acting warden of KCCC since the retirement of former warden Neal Wagatsuma in December 2021. He has been with PSD since 1999 and has previously served as a social worker and corrections supervisor.

“Warden Jona brings decades of experience and knowledge to KCCC and has, over the years, developed community partnerships that benefit the incarcerated population and their successful reintegration back into the community,” Johnson said.