October 24, 2007

DOC Secretary Raemisch Names
New Warden of Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution

John Paquin to Oversee Medium-Security Institution in Crawford County

MADISON – Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Rick Raemisch announced today that he has appointed John Paquin as Warden of the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution (PDCI).

“I am very pleased that John Paquin will take on this new role in the Department,” Secretary Raemisch said. “He brings to the position more than two decades of corrections experience, including a strong track record of leadership in institution security, staff oversight and inmate management. He will be a great addition to our outstanding team of Wardens.”

Paquin is currently the Security Director at Oakhill Correctional Institution (OCI) in Dane County, where he oversees all security operations at the prison as well as a special secured unit for inmates at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.

He began his corrections career in January 1987 as an officer at the Columbia Correctional Institution (CCI). He transferred in February 1989 to OCI as a Sergeant, later promoting to Lieutenant, Second Shift Commander and Administrative Captain. In November 1996, Paquin was named Assistant Superintendent of Oregon Correctional Center (OCC), where he remained until he was named DOC Corrections Contract Specialist in December 1998. In April 2001, Paquin moved to the Division of Community Corrections as a Field Supervisor in Janesville, and moved back to the Corrections Contract Specialist role in October 2002. Paquin was named in May 2004 as Acting Security Director at the Jackson Correctional Institution (JCI), and the role became permanent in July of that year. He advanced to the role of Deputy Warden at JCI in September 2004 and remained there until October 2006, when he moved to OCI as Security Director.

Paquin earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a minor in Business Management from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

He fills a vacancy that was created earlier this year by Richard “Sam” Schneiter, former Warden of both PDCI and the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (WSPF), who was named Assistant Administrator of the Division of Adult Institutions. WSPF Deputy Warden Peter Huibregtse was named Warden of WSPF and Interim Warden of PDCI while a search took place to fill the post permanently. Paquin’s appointment takes effect Nov. 11.

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10/25/2007