TUMWATER – Former Stafford Creek Corrections Center superintendent Pat Glebe has come out of retirement to accept an appointment as state Department of Corrections interim Assistant Secretary of Prisons.

Department of Corrections Secretary Cheryl Strange made the appointment, which the department said ensures stability as the agency faces the retirement of Assistant Secretary of Prisons Robert Herzog this month. Glebe’s appointment is effective May 19.

“Transitions are important junctures, and this is a big one,” says Strange. “I wish Rob and his family a wonderful adventure going forward into retirement. Rob has had a very distinguished career at DOC, and his solid leadership will be missed.“ Herzog has served the Department for 39 years, leading prison operations at Airway Heights Corrections Center, Clallam Bay Corrections Center, Monroe Correctional Complex and Washington Corrections Center, as well as serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Prisons prior to his role overseeing the prisons division at headquarters in Tumwater.

The appointment of Glebe affords Strange and the agency essential time and stability with a trusted leader who understands DOC while the Secretary and the Department assess the full range of leadership needs in a nationwide search for the next Assistant Secretary of Prisons, the department said in a statement.

“I am very grateful that Pat was willing to come back from retirement to help ensure a smooth transition. Many people will remember Pat as a great superintendent, and a great leader,” says Strange. “Pat is committed to helping the DOC through the transition to assist our team as we develop strategies and goals to move forward as an agency. Part of that development is to ensure the DOC has a full understanding of the scope, role, and responsibilities of the next appointed Assistant Secretary of Prisons, as we evolve our practices to ensure a humane and safe prison system with a focus on reentry.

Glebe started his career as a correctional officer at the Monroe Reformatory in 1985 and moved through a number of leadership positions in the department.

In 2006, he transferred to Stafford Creek Corrections Center and was named superintendent two years later. Later, he served as superintendent of the Washington Corrections Center until his retirement in 2017. In addition to Glebe’s tenure with prison facilities, he also served in several acting roles at DOC headquarters for the Prisons Division. He holds a bachelor’s degree from City University with an emphasis in criminal justice. In 2012, he was awarded the Governor’s Leadership Award by Gov. Christine Gregoire.