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| New Conn. Prisons Commissioner Appointed |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 03/19/2003 |
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Veteran prison administrator Theresa Lantz was appointed commissioner of the state Department of Correction on Monday, inheriting an agency investigated for claims of widespread sexual harassment. Lantz, deputy commissioner since 2000, succeeds John Armstrong, who announced last month he would not seek reappointment after eight years in the job. Armstrong has been named in two lawsuits by female prison officers who claim he helped sustain a 'culture of harassment' within the department. Lantz, 48, said she will not tolerate sexual harassment. 'Sexual harassment is a reality in a major organization and I certainly regret that anybody has experienced this hurtful behavior,' she said. 'I will vigorously ensure that investigations are completed in a fair and timely manner.' Lantz said she has been the target of inappropriate behavior on the job. 'This is a field where, by the nature of the business, you're working in what can be considered a hostile environment,' she said. 'Obviously as a woman, I'm much more sensitive to that issue, having worked in a variety of settings.' Lantz is taking over one of the biggest agencies in the state, handling 20,000 inmates and 7,000 employees. As deputy commissioner Lantz was responsible for the department's Affirmative Action Unit, Fiscal Services and Engineering and Facilities Management. She is the state's first female prison chief and is one of six women currently in charge of correction departments in the nation. 'This is a new era for our corrections department with our new commissioner and new leadership team,' Gov. John G. Rowland said. 'Corrections is clearly her life's work.' A 27-year veteran in the industry, Lantz began her career as a corrections officer in Washington, D.C. and has held several positions across the country, including a stint at the National Institute of Corrections in Colorado. She joined the Connecticut department in 1989, has served as warden at three prisons and was the agency's director of training and staff development. Lantz was named acting commissioner earlier this month. Rowland said he decided to hire from within to replace Armstrong and interviewed four or five individuals in the process. 'Theresa continued to rise to the top as someone who can manage this very difficult population, deal with 7,000 employees and resolve all the issues that departments of correction face,' Rowland said. Lantz's appointment needs legislative approval. The commissioner's annual salary has a range of about $100,000 to $150,000. |
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