Brian Fischer, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, has announced his retirement, effective April 30, 2013.
A Brooklyn native who has worked as a parole officer and was Superintendent of the Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Fischer has held cabinet posts since his 2007 appointment by Eliot Spitzer.
He was appointed Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Correctional Services effective January 1, 2007, was confirmed as Commissioner by the state Senate on March 12, 2007, and with the passage of the 2011-12 State Budget, became Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
He supervised the merger of the Department of Correctional Services with the Division of Parole in 2011.
In his March 4, 2013 letter to all staff, Commissioner Fischer said, "Together we have accomplished much, and I know that good things will continue to develop."
For further information, see:
Commissioner Brian Fischer Retirement (New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision)
Commissioner Brian Fischer's biography (New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision)
DOCCS chief Brian Fischer is retiring, by Jimmy Vielkind (Times Capitol bureau, March 5 2013)