Leclaire Ascends To Be State's Correction Head

By REUVEN BLAU

Governor Pataki Aug. 29 named Lucien J. Leclaire Jr. as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, succeeding the recently retired Glenn S. Goord.

"I'm proud of the work accomplished with Glenn Goord at the helm of our correctional facilities," the Governor said in a statement.

Mr. Goord, he added, has worked to create, implement, and oversee "some of the department's best innovations and improvements, including the Shock Incarceration Program and ensuring each prison meets nationally-accepted standards, operating at the safest level in 25 years."

Up Through the Ranks

Mr. Leclaire began his career with the department as a Correctional Officer in March 1977. He has served as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain at various prisons. In 1994, he was appointed Director of Correctional Emergency Response Team operations. Four years later he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Facility Operations and was most recently serving as Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities.

"I'm confident that Lucien Leclaire, Jr. will ensure that New York State's prisons will continue to maintain the highest of standards that has been this systems' hallmark for the past 11 years," Mr. Pataki said. His "vast" experience, he added, will help him oversee and manage the department's 31,500 employees and 63,400 inmates held at the state's 69 facilities.

Mr. Goord had been Commissioner of the nation's fourth-largest state prison system since 1996. He began his career in 1973 as a Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Counselor. As DOCS commissioner, he received multiple awards from national correction organizations.

In May, the Albany Times-Union reported Mr. Goord was pulled over by a Police Officer for talking on his cell phone while driving. He wasn't issued a ticket because peace officers are allowed to use their phones while behind the wheel. But Mr. Goord admitted to having had a few glasses of wine prior to driving.

Linda M. Foglia, a DOCS spokeswoman, said that his retirement decision was related to pension eligibility and had nothing to do with his departure. "He announced his retirement in early July," she said. "He just turned 55. That's the magic number for state employees."