Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 26, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names Lehman to lead Department of Corrections

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today announced the appointment of Joseph D. Lehman, a 27-year veteran of correctional work, as the new secretary of the Washington State Department of Corrections. He currently serves as commissioner of Maine's Department of Corrections and previously served as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

Today's announcement marks the return to this state for Lehman, a graduate of St. Martin's College (Lacey) and Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland), to head the department. Lehman spent 21 years as a probation and parole officer and was an associate superintendent of classification and treatment with Washington's Department of Corrections before he went to Pennsylvania and then to Maine.

Lehman has been commissioner in Maine for two years. Maine's adult and juvenile facilities house more than 1,600 inmates. He currently manages adult probation and juvenile community programs involving more than 6,000 adults and 2,000 youth offenders. As secretary of Pennsylvania's corrections department for five years, he managed a prison system of 22 institutions, with an inmate population of more than 28,000. In his career he has dealt with two devastating prison riots and overcrowding.

"After a nationwide search for the best in the correctional field, it was particularly gratifying to find a highly experienced veteran to lead Washington's correctional programs," Locke said. "Joseph's background in managing large correctional systems in other states, plus his knowledge of our state and its correctional approaches, make him a solid choice.

"I expect him to search for cost savings that will enable us to create efficiencies within our system."

In accepting the appointment, Lehman said he focuses on strong values and innovative approaches in balancing public safety with inmate treatment needs, both in the institution and at the community level.

Lehman's salary will be $93,659. He will assume his new duties March 10. He replaces Chase Riveland, who retired early this year.

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