September 21, 2007

Secretary Raemisch Appoints Gena Jarr to Lead Community Corrections in Northwest Wisconsin

Jarr brings more than 15 years of experience to Regional Chief role, won Virginia Hart Award in 2006

MADISON – Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Rick Raemisch announced today that he has appointed Gena Jarr as the new Chief to oversee Region 5 of the Division of Community Corrections (DCC). The region, headquartered in Eau Claire, manages offenders under community supervision in 16 western Wisconsin counties, from Trempealeau and Jackson counties north to Douglas County.

“Gena Jarr brings extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and innovation to her new role, and I am confident she will successfully lead the Region’s efforts to hold offenders accountable and promote their success in the community as law-abiding, productive citizens,” Secretary Raemisch said. “She has advanced through the ranks and built a solid record of leadership in community corrections, building bridges with law enforcement, service providers and other community partners to help advance the Department’s mission of public safety.”

Jarr began her DOC career in 1992 as a Youth Counselor and moved shortly thereafter to the role of DCC agent, supervising offenders and building partnerships in Milwaukee, Racine and Barron Counties. In 2000, she promoted to the position of Corrections Field Supervisor in Eau Claire. In this role, Jarr developed the first Community Advisory Board in Eau Claire, laying the groundwork for the creation of the Eau Claire Restorative Justice Program and the Eau Claire Drug Court Program. These and other successful efforts in public service helped Jarr garner the 2006 Virginia Hart Award, a statewide award given to a woman in state government in honor of exemplary performance in public service that improves the quality of life for Wisconsin citizens. In late 2006, Jarr promoted to Assistant Regional Chief, and she has led DCC Region 5 on an interim basis since former Regional Chief Larry Liegel retired in April 2007.

In her new role, Jarr will manage one of eight DCC Regions covering geographic territories across Wisconsin. She brings to the job key facilitation skills as the chair for the DCC Domestic Violence Committee, and she has worked with the Drug Endangered Children Initiative and the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals.

Jarr earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her appointment takes effect Sept. 30.

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9/21/07