Walker Announces New DOC Secretary

Gov. Scott Walker’s office announced this week that Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Jon Litscher is retiring from the agency. Walker has appointed DOC Deputy Secretary Cathy Jess to replace Litscher beginning June 11.

Litscher previously served as DOC secretary from 1999-2003 and returned in 2016. He has also served as the secretary of the Department of Employment Relations, executive secretary of the Higher Educational Aids Board, and superintendent of the Cambria-Friesland School District.

Jess has served as DOC deputy secretary since 2016 and was previously administrator of the Division of Adult Institutions. She has also served as a correctional officer at the Wisconsin Resource Center, warden at Dodge Correctional Institution and Wisconsin Women’s Correctional System, and deputy warden at the Waupun and Oshkosh correctional institutions.