Martha Karr has spent the past 23 years in corrections and risen through the ranks in the Pierce County Jail.

Now, she’s taken the helm as chief of the Pierce County Corrections Bureau.

Karr, 49, is the first corrections-trained administrator of the jail since the mid- to late 1990s. Recent chiefs have come from the law enforcement side of the Sheriff’s Department.

“I felt it would be useful to have a person to lead the jail who had grown up in our corrections bureau,” Sheriff Paul Pastor said Friday.

Karr took over as corrections chief Oct. 19. She oversees a staff of about 400 people, an annual budget of more than $47 million and 1,717 beds in two jail facilities.

“In Martha Karr, we have a woman who has tremendous background and experience and who is a recognized leader,” Pastor said. “She’s able to think tactically and strategically about issues in the jail.”

Karr joined Pierce County’s corrections staff 20 years ago. She’d spent three years working at the Kitsap County Jail before transferring to Pierce County.

She grew up in California and developed an interest in law enforcement while in high school.

She got a two-year degree in police science, then a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration from Southern Columbia University.

She’s worked on the transition teams for Pierce County’s temporary jail annex and the new 1,008-bed jail facility.

She’s also worked on committees within the department and in the community.

“I am committed to maintain a safe and secure environment for both staff and our offenders,” Karr said. “As a vital role in the criminal justice system, we will use our resources wisely and efficiently and continue to keep our community safe.”

Karr replaces Rob Masko, who was named the chief of the administrative services bureau of the Sheriff’s Department.

“Rob was doing a great job and is very well-respected,” Pastor said.

The sheriff said he likes to rotate his bureau chiefs to give them broad experience in different aspects of the organization.

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com

blog.thenewstribune.com/crime