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| Conn. Prisons Chief Calls It Quits |
| By Hartford Courant |
| Published: 02/06/2003 |
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A week before what was expected to be a tough renomination hearing, Correction Commissioner John J. Armstrong Tuesday announced that he would withdraw his name and retire. Armstrong, 47, has served 26 years with the state Department of Correction - the last eight as commissioner. He said he would consider potential job offers and business opportunities. 'It's something I've agonized over,' Armstrong said. 'Frankly, it's been in the pit of my stomach for a while.' In his resignation letter submitted to Gov. John G. Rowland late Tuesday, Armstrong said he made the decision after 'deep personal and professional reflection and consultation with my family.' Although Armstrong was going to face stiff opposition from groups such as the Connecticut chapter of the National Organization for Women and the unions representing correction workers, state leaders generally view Armstrong's tenure as positive. But his resignation comes a week after his controversial remark that seemed to equate the death penalty with euthanasia and one day after the leaking of a draft report that criticizes his department's handling of sexual harassment complaints. Armstrong said that the criticism over his comment had nothing to do with his decision, and he contends he did not see the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities' preliminary report. Armstrong is credited with developing the 'back to basics' philosophy that had rebuilt public confidence in the state's correction system. Under Armstrong's tenure the number of assaults and escapes in the state's prison system has been greatly reduced. He helped to improve victim services and has proposed and led reforms such as the community justice center, a proposed treatment facility for nonviolent offenders. He has also effectively managed an overcrowded prison system that continues to set new population records. 'The governor thinks that he has done an outstanding job at the department,' said Christopher Cooper, a spokesman for Rowland. 'Traditionally, there have been some problems in that department, under previous administrations. But he's done a very good job with a very difficult population.' Cooper said there were no candidates under consideration. |
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