Janis Leigh Karpinski, born Janis Leigh Beam on May 25, 1953, is a retired career officer with a distinguished tenure in the United States Army Reserve. Notably, she commanded the forces responsible for operating Abu Ghraib and other prisons in Iraq during the years 2003 and 2004, a period marked by controversy surrounding allegations of torture and prisoner abuse.
As a seasoned leader, Karpinski was entrusted with overseeing the management of three prisons in Iraq, as well as the personnel responsible for their operation. Her educational background is equally impressive, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and secondary education from Kean College. Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as a Master of Arts in strategic studies from the prestigious United States Army War College.
