Name/Title
Booklet, John R Gagnon, Superintendent, Fox Lake CorrectionalDescription
John R. Gagnon, superintendent of Fox Lake Correctional Institution. This was during 1985, the end of John tenure at Fox Lake. The institution is now know as Wisconsin State Prison at Fox Lake.
John R. Gagnon
Superintendent
F. L. C. I.
1962 - 1985
John R. Gagnon, Superintendent of the Fox Lake Correctional Institution for nearly 23 years, has decided to retire. He is the only superintendent the institution has seen, taking the reigns from day one.
Mr. Gagnon was born in International Falls, Minnesota and moved to Marinette, Wisconsin at an early age; where in 1940 he graduated from high school. Sure of the direction that he wanted to take his life, Mr. Gagnon enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. His education was interrupted, however; by the onset of World War II, when after completing two and one half years, he was compelled to drop out of school in favor of the service of his country. He spent the next three years, 1943 - 1946 doing just that; something he speaks of with pride.
Even with the distractions of a world war and the post-war euphoria of victory, John Gagnon did not lose sight of his goals; getting an education and working in his chosen field, Sociology. Upon release from the service, he once again enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, and in 1948 graduated with a degree in Sociology. During this time, he also worked part-time at the Waukesha Boys School, getting a feel for work in the Division of Corrections.
His first full-time job within the Division of Corrections came as a Probation and Parole agent in 1948. Mr. Gagnon really began work inside an institution as a social worker at the Green Bay State Reformatory in 1949.. While working in his chosen field was part of his ambition fulfilled, John Gagnon set his sights even higher, and in 1954 took a one year leave of absence to attain his Master's Degree from the University in Madison. His superiors must have seen his desire and recognized his dedication. He was made the supervisor of the Social Services Department at the Reformatory.
In 1956, Mr. Gagnon was promoted to the Position Chief of Institution Services at the Central Office of the Division of Corrections in Madison, remaining in that capacity until 1962. It was during this period he was able to see the workings of the department from a broader spectrum and get a fuller understanding of where he had been in the system and where he wanted to go. It was also during these years that the Fox Lake Correctional Institution was planned. He recognized the opportunity before him and seized it. Mr. Gagnon's ideas and suggestions were heard regarding the yet-to-be-built institution.
Sanger Powers, then Director of the DOC, must have liked what the up and coming Gagnon had to say. When the Fox Lake Correctional Institution was opened, Mr. Powers appointed John R. Gagnon its first Superintendent. Apparently, Mr. Powers knew his job as well then as Mr. Gagnon knows his today.
Construction began on July 20, 1960. The first 15 inmates were moved to the partially completed institution on September 12, 1962. It was the first medium security setting in Wisconsin and one of the few of its kind in the entire country. It was a new concept in Corrections and Mr. Gagnon decided to try a philosophy that was also fairly unique in the running of an institution; responsible living. Gagnon felt that punishment was not the only reason for a person being incarcerated, but that the inmate should also take some steps toward a life that did not include a return to prison. He wanted to afford the opportunity of constructively occupied daily living to those who were serious about turning their lives around. It was, and remains, his belief that if a person can develop responsible living habits while incarcerated, he can carry them with him upon release.
While Mr. Gagnon has no formal plans after retirement, he is very reassuring of the fact it will not be an idle time. He tentatively plans on doing some teaching in the area of criminal justice or in correctional science. He has also expressed his willingness to provide consultant work in his field of expertise. So much for his tentative plans; he definitely will do some fishing, traveling, and golfing, three of his favorite pastimes.
Perhaps his favorite pastime, however; is spending time with his family. He is the proud father of three children, who increased his pride by making him a grandfather of three.
As a final thought, John R. Gagnon wanted to leave the men at Fox Lake with something to ponder; "Prison time should not be wasted time." He hopes that the men will continue to take advantage of the educational opportunities and use their time constructively; to learn and benefit from this experience in a positive manner. He states without any qualms that he is still learning and preparing for the future, and it is his express desire that the men incarcerated at Fox Lake make a maximum effort to do the same.Acquisition
Accession
2009.0401Source or Donor
Waupun Historical SocietyAcquisition Method
Bequest,Collected by
