By Daniel Israel
Published January 26, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Last updated January 26, 2024 at 2:17 PM
JERSEY CITY, NJ- Jersey City officials honored the late former Hudson County Correctional Center Director Ralph William Green, Sr. and joined his family in mourning his passing on December 31 at the age of 81.
At its January 24 meeting, the Jersey City Municipal Council passed a resolution passed a resolution honoring a “great man who contributed much to the community and betterment of society.”
According to the resolution, Green, known as Billy to his family and friends, was born on September 21, 1921 in Roanoke, Virginia to the late Robert Franklin Green and Dorothy Shepperson-Green. He graduated from Lucy Addison High School and spent one year at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC until joining the military.
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Green joined the Army in 1961, where he served as a Paratrooper, Marksman, and Medical Specialist. The resolution states that he loved to sit around his children and grandchildren telling them his wildest memories of jumping out of airplanes and heading into action.
Following his military service, Green began forty years of public service with the D.C. Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer starting in 1967. According to the resolution, he rose through the ranks, becoming a Correctional Counselor in 1970; a Correctional Lieutenant in 1976; a Correctional Captain in 1981; and Operations Commander [Major] in 1983.
During that time, Green served as Commanding Officer for all corrections officers assigned to medium and maximum-security facilities. The resolution states that Green eventually received an Associate of Arts degree from Washington Technical Institution in 1987, and his Bachelor of Science degree from American University in 1989.
In 1990, he was once again promoted, becoming Assistant Administrator of Operations in the Department of Corrections in the District of Columbia, according to the resolution. Green retired in good standing in 1993, and that same year was selected as the Warden of the Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny after a nationwide search.
The resolution states Green brought with him the philosophy that “treatment and custody go hand-in-hand.” During his initial term as Warden, he implemented programs designed to reduce recidivism among released inmates, of which two of those programs have received national awards through the National Association of Counties. He retired after 11 years in 2004.
Green was also a long-time member and elder of Claremont LaFayette United Presbyterian Church. Throughout the years, he would periodically bring the inmates who participated in the choir to church, in an effort to highlight their voices and to “hear the word of God.” He wanted them to leave the church inspired and develop faith.
Green leaves behind his wife of 20 years Regina Johnson-Green, his children Vonda Hinton, Roxanne Green-Faulkner, Ralph Green, Jr., Walter Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Pamela Johnson, and Jermaine Johnson, his brother Rawlins Green (Regina), his aunt Lucy S. Glymph, his 17 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, godson , his goddaughter, dear friends, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
“…We embrace and mourn with the family who is experiencing a deep loss and sorrow,” the resolution states. “We share in your sorrow and recognize that the Lord has accepted into his presence and good faithful servant.”