MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Rick Raemisch today announced that Tom Karlen has been named Superintendent of the McNaughton Correctional Center (MCC).

“Tom Karlen brings more than 30 years of corrections experience to his new role at McNaughton Correctional Center,” Secretary Raemisch said. “His knowledge and experience will be beneficial to the facility as it prepares offenders for a successful return to the community.”

Karlen began his corrections career in 1975 as an Officer 3 at Gordon Correctional Center. In 1980 he promoted to an Assistant Superintendent at St. Croix Correctional Center. In 1992 he promoted to the Superintendent of Black River Correctional Center (BRCC). In 1994 he transferred to Superintendent of the Abode Correctional Center in Milwaukee, before returning to BRCC in 1995. In 2000 he became the Superintendent of Thompson Correctional Center. He was Warden at Jackson Correctional Institution from 2000 to 2004 and has been the Deputy Warden at Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility since 2004.

Karlen graduated from a State of Wisconsin Certified Law Enforcement School. He is also a graduate of the Department’s Leadership Development Program. He has served on numerous Department Committees throughout the years, including the AODA Management Council, the IT Management Council, the DAI Internal Management Oversight Committee, the IT Strategic Planning Committee, and the Administrative Code and Policies and Procedures Committee.

Karlen’s appointment takes effect December 20, 2009. He succeeds former MCC Superintendent Molly Sullivan Olson, who recently moved to the position of Corrections Classification Management Supervisor for the DOC’s Bureau of Classification and Movement.

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12/01/2009