NEW DIRECTOR AT DEPT. OF CORRECTION

BOISE – Governor Jim Risch today accepted the retirement notice of Tom Beauclair as Director of the Idaho Department of Correction.  The notice of retirement was tendered to the Board of Correction at their regularly scheduled meeting in Boise.

Beauclair became the Director of the Department of Correction in September 2001.  He started as a correctional officer at the department in 1972 and has held numerous positions throughout his career in corrections.  Beauclair will continue with the department until July 28 to assist in the transition.

“I want to publicly thank Tom for his many years of service to the Department of Correction and the people of Idaho.  This is a very difficult job and the large inmate population growth in the state during his tenure has made it that much more difficult.  I wish him the best in all his future endeavors,” said Risch.

Following the acceptance of Beauclair’s retirement notice by the board, Governor Risch announced Vaughn Killeen as his selection for director.  The Board of Correction voted to accept the Governor’s recommendation of Killeen.

Killeen, currently the CEO of the Idaho Red Cross, is best known for his 20 years of service as Ada County Sheriff from 1985 to 2005.

Risch said there are three areas that he wants the new director to focus on at the Department of Correction.  “I’m very pleased that Vaughn has accepted this new challenge.  I have asked him to improve employee morale, create a viable plan to stop moving inmates out of state, and to ensure that adequate rehabilitation programs are in place for prisoners so they can meet their parole dates and be released from prison,” said Risch.

Governor Risch pointed out that nearly 600 prisoners are past their parole date but cannot be released because they have not completed their training or rehabilitation programs.

Killeen said he is up to the challenges presented in his new position.  “I look forward to using my experience and relationships developed as Sheriff to do what the Governor has asked.  My first order of business is to get a handle on the programs and training that should be provided to inmates and get those moving in an orderly fashion.  I believe there is an excellent staff at the department and working with them, the Drug Czar, legislators and the governor, we can put a plan into place that keeps inmates within the state,” said Killeen.

When Killeen retired as Ada County Sheriff he oversaw the largest law enforcement agency in Idaho, with a budget of $36 million, 530 personnel, an 1126 bed jail and a work release center.  His office also provided 911 dispatching for fire, police and emergency medical personnel for 475,000 people.  The Sheriff’s Office also provided records and evidence keeping for the Boise Police Department and provided contractual law enforcement services in two cities and for Boise State University for 19 years.

The Department of Correction has eight state prisons, one private prison, five community work centers and seven district probation and parole offices.  The Legislature budgeted nearly $160 million for corrections in fiscal year 2007.  The department is authorized for 1,554 full time positions.  They manage approximately 18,000 offenders in their prisons and probation and parole offices.

A three-member board oversees the Idaho Department of Correction.  The Governor appoints board members to six-year terms.  Current board members are Carolyn Meline of Pocatello and Jay L. Nielsen of Twin Falls.  There is a vacancy due to the recent resignation of chairman Jim Tibbs with his appointment as Drug Czar within the Office of the Governor

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