Retirement Of Chief Executive Of The Department Of Corrections

The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, said it is with reluctance that he has accepted the resignation of the Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections, Mark Byers.

Mr Byers has chosen to retire early from his role. He will finish in February 2005, having spent 39 years as a dedicated public servant. His Public Service career culminated in his appointment as the first Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections in 1995.

"Mr Byers oversaw an extensive modernisation programme for the processes, systems and infrastructure of the department.

"Mr Byers has achieved some notable successes in refocusing the work of the department. He oversaw the policy work leading to the Corrections Act 2004, and has established 'integrated offender management'. This programme is recognised internationally as being leading edge practice in the management of offenders. Recently the department has measured, for the first time ever, a reduction in the reconvictions and re-offending rates of offenders.

Mark Prebble said the Commission will shortly begin the process of appointing a new chief executive for the Department of Corrections.