The controversial head of the Illinois Department of Corrections is resigning from his post to take a new job in Ohio.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has accepted the resignation of Michael Randle, the director of the Department of Corrections.
Randle was blamed for the secret early prison release program in which some violent offenders were let go after serving only a fraction of their sentences.
Judge David Erickson was commissioned by the governor to evaluate the much criticized program. Erickson says it’s unfortunate Randle made this mistake because he has a strong background in corrections.
ERICKSON: Given enough time and a less politicized atmosphere, I think that he could’ve succeeded in turning things around at the Department of Corrections.
Randle is expected to step into his new role as a program manager for a community-based correctional facility later this month. The center is a 200-bed all male facility in Ohio.
In a statement Quinn says he appreciates Randle’s dedicated service to the state.
A replacement has not yet been named.