Baton Rouge, LA - On August 29, 2024, Governor Jeff Landry announced that Gary Westcott will serve as the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DOC).  Gary Westcott most recently served as the Deputy Secretary of DOC.  

“At a time where public safety is a top priority for citizens across our state, I can think of no better person to lead the Department of Public Safety and Corrections than Gary Westcott. He has the leadership, experience, and knowledge that is necessary to ensure this department is running in an efficient and effective manner,” said Governor Jeff Landry.   

“Governor Landry has made it abundantly clear that fixing our prison system and enhancing public safety is of utmost importance. I am honored by his confidence in me to get the job done, and I am looking forward to getting to work,” said Secretary Gary Westcott. 

Background: 

Gary Westcott worked for the Louisiana Department of Corrections / Division of Probation & Parole for 29 years, where he retired in 2020 as a Regional Administrator, overseeing seven district offices from Lake Charles to New Orleans. Throughout his career at Probation & Parole, Gary was a P.P.C.T. Defensive Tactics Instructor at the P.O.S.T. Law Enforcement Academy. He was then employed by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office as the Corrections Warden from 2020-2024. Gary was most recently appointed by Governor Landry in February of 2024 to serve as the Deputy Secretary of DOC where he oversaw the Division of Community and Executive Services. 

He is a 1985 graduate of St. Martinville High School and 1990 graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He served in the Louisiana National Guard - 199^th Support Battalion and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Since 2017, Gary has been the Head Volleyball Coach for Catholic High - New Iberia. He currently resides in Loreauville, Louisiana and is married to his wife, Angela, and has two children, Landon and Marlie Rae.