Head of state's prison system resigns

The head of the state's prison system announced his resignation today.

After less than three years as Corrections Secretary, Harold Clarke is leaving to become commissioner of the Department of Corrections in Massachusetts, said DOC spokesman Chad Lewis. Clarke's last day will be Nov. 23.

Clarke accepted Gov. Christine Gregoire's offer to head Washington's prison system in January 2005. He had previously worked as Nebraska's corrections director.

Clarke announced to DOC staff his departure "with mixed emotions" in a letter today, commending staff for working in what he called "this most challenging profession."

DOC employees had been critical in the past of Clarke, claiming he was in over his head. The department was heavily criticized over the deaths of three police officers at the hands of three felons under state supervision, as well as a decision earlier this year to release scores of offenders from King County jails because of overcrowding.

The governor's office said Gregoire did not ask for the resignation.

Gregoire said in a statement that Clarke made "significant contributions to public safety in Washington."

"This has not been an easy task for Harold or his family, and, on behalf of the people of Washington, I thank him for his service," Gregoire said.

Gregoire's office said they are not yet announcing who will take Clarke's place.

The Boston Globe reported that Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick offered Clarke the job late Thursday, with a mandate to revamp the prison agency, with more emphasis on re-entry programs and staff training.

The newspaper described Clarke as a leader of national stature "at the top of the heap" among his peers. Clarke is president-elect of the American Correctional Association.

The Massachusetts system has 11,000 inmates, 18 facilities and a $500 million budget. That is somewhat smaller than Washington's system, which has 18,000 behind bars and 25,000 offenders under community supervision. The biennial budget is $1.8 billion.

Christina Siderius: csiderius@seattletimes.com

Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.