Michigan Department of Corrections Director Patricia L. Caruso announced today that she will not be appointed to the position by Governor-elect Rick Snyder in his new administration, which begins Jan. 1.  Her replacement hasn't been named.

Director Caruso was not surprised by the decision, since it is common for incoming governors to bring in new directors.  She has offered to assist the new director in the transition and said she expects the process to focus on the positive aspects of MDOC operations and improvements that will keep Michigan a national leader.

Deputy Directors John Rubitschun (field operations) and Dennis Straub (correctional facilities), who are both retiring, will remain in their positions for the next several months to ensure a smooth transition.

Ms. Caruso is stepping down after nearly eight years as director.  She began her career in the department as assistant business manager in 1988 and rose to business manager, warden, regional prison administrator, and deputy director for the Correctional Facilities Administration before being appointed director by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.

During her tenure as director, Ms. Caruso reshaped the department and established the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative as "a new way of doing business," improving public safety by investing in helping offenders turn their lives around and become successful citizens when they return home.

She said she was proud of her time as director and grateful for the support of Corrections staff.

"I am proud to work with such a great group of professionals who have made a tremendous impact on corrections, and I will never again be part of something as professionally significant as being director of the Michigan Department of Corrections," she said in a statement.  "The brave men and women of this department have my sincere gratitude and admiration."

Michigan Department of Corrections Director Patricia L. Caruso has been honored as America's outstanding corrections director for 2010.

Ms. Caruso received the Michael Francke Award, the top honor of the Association of State Correctional Administrators.  She was honored at an awards dinner on December 4.

Morris Thigpen, director of the National Institute of Corrections, presented the award.  He described the director as a leader with passion, high standards, vision, integrity, dedication, and enthusiasm.

Under Ms. Caruso's leadership, the department established the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative, making the state the national leader in efforts to successfully transition parolees to productive, law-abiding lives.  Among her other accomplishments, she invested in professional development of staff, supported safe and humane living and working conditions in the facilities, and brought about technology improvements to automate prisoner movement processes and electronic enhancements for prisoner education and statewide communication via video conferencing.