John Hunt currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner of Institutions for the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) to which he was appointed on July 15, 2024. He oversees operations within the agency’s seven state-operated correctional institutions and previously served as superintendent of the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Rankin County.

Before his tenure at CMCF started on June 1, 2023, Hunt served as Director of Investigations in the Corrections Investigation Division (CID) upon appointment in July 2020.

Hunt has over 17 years of investigations experience in the correctional system, as well as two years with the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, and three years with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force. Hunt served as the CID assistant director at MDOC for five years, and as an investigator for nine years, initiating and leading investigations with a corrections nexus around the state.

Hunt began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer with the City of Flowood Police Department in January 2004. He graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Academy in Pearl in 2004, where he served as a platoon leader for Basic Class 205. In 2019, he graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session 276, in Quantico, Va. 

Hunt earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., and was a member of Tau Sigma, Academic Honor Society for Transfer Students.

Hunt joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1994 and graduated from basic training in Parris Island, South Carolina, Platoon 3164, 3rd Battalion.  He received additional combat training in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and skills training for his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), 0811-Field Artillery, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Hunt earned the rank of sergeant and served as the section chief of a crew for a 198 Howitzer, until he was honorably discharged in 2001.