DOC Appoints Eleanor Vernell as Superintendent of Larch Corrections Center

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                October 12, 2009

OLYMPIA – The Department of Corrections today announced that Eleanor Vernell, the field administrator for community corrections in Pierce County, will be the new superintendent of Larch Corrections Center in Clark County.

Larch Corrections Center is a minimum-security prison located about 15 miles from Vancouver, Wash. It houses about 400 inmates and has about 110 staff members.

Vernell has been with the department for more than 25 years. She began her career as a correctional officer and held various positions at McNeil Island Corrections Center and the Washington State Penitentiary. In 2006 she was appointed as the field administrator for community corrections in Pierce County.

 “Eleanor’s experience in both prisons and community corrections is ideal for Larch Corrections Center,” Deputy Prisons Director Earl Wright said. “A lot of inmates at Larch are close to their release date and Eleanor will help the staff develop effective re-entry plans.”

Vernell says she is looking forward to returning to the department’s prisons division.

“I’ve learned a lot during my time in community corrections, and I think that will help me in this new role,” Vernell said.

Vernell will succeed Superintendent Patricia Gorman, who will retire at the end of the year. 

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Contact:  Chad Lewis, Communications Department (360) 725-8817



 


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