The Attorney General, Mr Simon Corbell thanked the outgoing Executive Director of ACT Corrective Services, Mr James Ryan AM who is moving on after 14 years with the ACT Public Service.
"The Territory has benefited from the depth of knowledge that Mr Ryan has brought to this position as well as the advice and leadership he has shown in his areas of responsibility since 1997," Mr Corbell said.
After a long military career and then service in the NSW correctional system, Mr Ryan oversaw several major changes in justice services for the ACT during his tenure.
This included administration of the ageing Belconnen Remand Centre and, more recently, the establishment of the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) as the ACT's first prison and the first in Australia to be built expressly as a human rights compliant correctional institution.
"Mr Ryan had a key leadership role in the planning and construction for the AMC, in the arrangements for transfer of detainees from Belconnen and repatriation of ACT prisoners from NSW gaols, and for the first year of operation," Mr Corbell said.
Mr Ryan was also involved with the International Corrections and Prisons Association, as Regional Vice President for Oceania and a board member for five years. Last year he was named the Association's Outstanding Correctional Employee, specifically in recognition of his remarkable work as a correctional administrator over two decades, and for the work on completing Australia's first prison that meets and exceeds human rights principles.
"On behalf of the Government of the ACT, I thank Mr Ryan for his significant and detailed service to the Territory and wish him all the best in his retirement," Mr Corbell added.
Mr Barry Folpp will act in the position of Executive Director ACT Corrective Services pending completion of longer-term recruitment to the position.
Patrick Cronan
