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Hinton appointed first female major at Putnamville
PUTNAMVILLE — In conversation, Esther Hinton is thoughtful when considering questions, well-spoken and professional with replies.
Those qualities were part of the reason Hinton was recently promoted to the rank of major, the first woman in the history of Putnamville Correctional Facility to reach this high position.
“This is the position I have been working toward,” Hinton said, “and I am thrilled to be given the chance to help emerging staff grow to become the leaders they can become and are.”
Hinton started her career with the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) as a correctional officer. It was quickly recognized that Hinton was a leader of her peers and demonstrated outstanding work ethic, which paired greatly with her understanding of departmental policies — Hinton was promoted to sergeant less than one year later.
In 2002, Hinton promoted to the rank of lieutenant, where she remained for more than nine years, supervising several different areas within the facility.
In August 2011, she accepted a position at central office as an ACA auditor. She completed her bachelor’s degree in organizational security and management, focusing on Homeland Security and graduated from the Indiana Department of Correction “Emerging Effective Leaders” (EEL), which is the toughest program and training the department has to offer.
While all this was being completed, she was becoming a correctional police officer, graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
In 2012, Hinton accepted a promotion to IDOC contract monitor, monitoring the contracted medical company for six of the southern facilities in the state. In March of 2017, Hinton returned to Putnamville Correctional Facility as unit team manager. In February 2021, she oversaw litigation, ACA, ADA and policy.
After 23 years with the Indiana Department of Correction, Hinton has the highest custody position in the facility apart from the deputy warden and is the first woman in the history of Putnamville Correctional Facility to be appointed to that role, an achievement she called humbling.
“My journey has been fun, insightful, full of challenges, at times frustrating, exciting, as well as heartbreaking,” Hinton said. “The department has done a great job through the years creating inclusive environment where people’s strengths are celebrated. The work is never done when you are uniting so many, but it is something I am passionate about. I am inspired every day by the men and women around me and I just I hope I can continue to be an individual they feel they can trust and turn to for guidance. “
Warden Dushan Zatecky had high praise when reflecting on Hinton’s promotion.
“They say the only way to do great is to love what you do, and Hinton has demonstrated her love of the career and the people around her,” Zatecky said. “Hinton demonstrates the core values that this work demands of you.”