Governor LePage Thanks Dept. of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte

AUGUSTA, Maine - Governor Paul R. LePage has issued a statement about the departure of Department of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte, who has accepted a position as Commissioner of New York City's Department of Correction. Commissioner Ponte informed the Governor last week that he would be taking the job in New York.

"Commissioner Ponte has done an excellent job for the State of Maine," said Governor LePage. "He has a long career in corrections, and his work around the country earned him a national reputation for reforming prisons. He found efficiencies within the Maine corrections system and reduced expenses without sacrificing operations or safety at the prisons.

"During his tenure in Maine, Commissioner Ponte reduced the use of solitary confinement, created an intensive mental health unit and prioritized the probation system to better manage high-risk offenders. He will be difficult to replace, but we wish him well in his new position."