HELENA, MT – The director of the Montana Department of Corrections, Bill Slaughter, 55, announced his resignation Thursday.

After 30 years of public service Slaughter has decided to retire from the corrections industry to be closer to his family. He has been living apart from them for the past six years to serve as the MTDOC's director.

“It's a struggle balancing home and work,” he said. “I am ready to retire from state government and do something else, try something different.”

“Bill will be missed. His dedication to public service is commendable. I have enjoyed getting to know Bill and it has been an honor to have him as a part of my cabinet and team,” Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer said.

Slaughter said highlights of his career include the felony DUI corrections program, his work on community placement, and his work on innovative ways to address methamphetamine addiction.

He has agreed to stay on as director until the end of June. Schweitzer said he will announce Slaughter's successor before that time.

Slaughter was appointed by Governor Schweitzer in 2004 and in 2001 by Governor Judy Martz. Prior to that, he was Gallatin's County Sheriff