By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — State Prison Director Larry Norris has informed the state Board of Corrections he plans to retire early next year.
The 61-year-old Norris, who has been director of the state prison system since 1993, told board members Monday his last day will be Jan. 4.
“He had thought long and hard about it and I guess you could say the lure of grandchildren is very, very strong,” said prison spokeswoman Dina Tyler.
Norris has two grown children and two grandchildren.
The director of nearly 16 years was out of town Wednesday for the Thanksgiving holiday, but said in a statement released by his office that “it’s just time.”
“I feel good about my decision and I feel good about what’s happened in the ADC over the last 16 years,” he said, adding he’s “been fortunate enough to enjoy the support of three governors and the Board of Corrections during my time as director and that has been such a blessing.
“I believe the ADC is better than it was 16 years ago and that was our goal and now it’s just time for me to retire,” said Norris, who was named director in December 1993, replacing Roger Endell.
Board Chairman Benny Magness said Wednesday that Norris will be missed.
“I think I can speak for the entire board when I say we really regret Mr. Norris leaving,” Magness said. “He had the full support of the board. He has done an excellent job, and a lot of people may not know this but he’s one of the longest-serving prison directors in the United States.”
Board member Mary Parker agreed, saying Norris was leaving “in absolutely wonderful standing.”
Magness and Parker both said Norris let the board know about a year ago that he planned to retire within two years.
Gov. Mike Beebe also praised Norris for his long career with the department.
“Larry Norris has spent a lifetime as a public servant, and has more than earned a restful retirement,” the governor said. “He has shown consistent dedication over 39 years in service to the Department of Correction, and in a time when the average tenure for correctional directors is four years, Larry has led our DOC for 16.”
Norris’ decision to retire comes at the end of a difficult year for the department.
During the spring and summer, prison officials were under scrutiny following several serious incidents, including the May 29 escape of convicted killers Calvin Adams and Jeffrey Grinder from the Cummins Unit. The two walked out of the unit wearing prison guard uniforms. They were captured days later in New York state.
Other incidents include the shooting death of a parolee outside the Tucker Unit and revelations that in January an inmate nearly died after he was left lying in his own feces over a weekend.
Three civilians have been charged with aiding the escape, six correctional officers were fired and one officer was suspended for five days for failing to fulfill duties.
Two correctional officers were fired and 15 employees were disciplined after the incident in which the inmate was left in his own feces.
Norris told lawmakers during a July meeting that he was “embarrassed” by the incidents and that the escape was caused by complacent correctional officers.
Magness and a spokesman for the governor said Norris’ decision to retire was a surprise and was not related to the troubles within the department earlier this year.
“I would have liked him to stay a little longer,” Magness said. “He has been a great bureaucrat and administrator.”
