The second in command of the Mississippi Department of Corrections may be without a job after his biography disappeared from the agency’s website and was replaced with that of a new commissioner. 

Karei McDonald Jr., who began working for the department in February 2020, was the executive deputy commissioner and deputy commissioner of administration and finance. 

His biography was removed from MDOC’s executive leadership page, and by Friday morning was replaced with that of Derrick Garner as deputy commissioner of administration and finance. Garner’s biography states that he was appointed to the position Thursday. 

A spokesperson from MDOC did not respond to a request for comment Friday morning, including whether McDonald is still employed with the department. 

But a memo from Commissioner Burl Cain to employees noted McDonald was no longer employed with the department and announced Garner’s appointment, Darkhorse Press reported. 

“Please help us welcome (Garner) into his new position and give him your full support,” the memo reads. 

Through the administration and finance division, McDonald oversaw department budgeting, a fiscal comptroller, procurement, property, human resources and agricultural enterprises, according to his biography that was on MDOC’s website. 

McDonald previously worked for the state auditor’s office since 2004, and before that was chief fiscal officer for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security and a staff accountant for the Mississippi Department of Health, according to his biography. 

Garner, the new deputy commissioner for administration and finance, has worked for MDOC since July 2020 and previously served as chief fiscal officer and focused on budget operations, according to his biography. 

“This is a unique organization and I wanted to help to make a positive impact for the state,” Garner said about his decision to join the MDOC, which is included in his biography. “It was a great challenge and opportunity to be a part of this team.” 

He also worked for the state auditor’s office and before that for the Mississippi Gaming Commission, according to his biography. 

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