Here’s the press release from the state Department of Corrections:

OLYMPIA – The Department of Corrections announced today the appointments of two Superintendents to prisons in Western Washington following the closure of two prisons.

Jane Parnell, current Superintendent of Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock, will be the Superintendent at Washington Corrections Center for Women near Gig Harbor. Parnell was Superintendent of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima prior to its closure in March.

“Jane provided leadership at a time when it was desperately needed at Ahtanum View,” said Prisons Director Dick Morgan. “And her expertise in managing confined women makes her an outstanding choice for Superintendent of Washington Corrections Center for Women.”

Parnell will replace current Superintendent Doug Cole who will become Superintendent at Cedar Creek. Cole will also serve as the Prison Division’s liaison for the siting and design of the new prison the Legislature mandated in the last session.

“Doug has extensive experience with prison construction and his expertise will ensure progress is efficient and meets the needs of the agency,” said Morgan. “This project is a huge undertaking and it’s critical that we have the right person heading up this effort for our division.

The appointments are effective August 16.

“Our prison population has changed drastically during the past year,” said Morgan. “I am confident that these appointments will provide the right leadership to meet the needs of the current prison landscape.”

The Department reduced 1,056 prison beds this year in response to a reduced offender population and projected decline of incoming offenders in the future. Ahtanum View Corrections Center and Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women were closed and beds were reduced at Larch Corrections Center and McNeil Island Corrections Center.