NSW Corrections Commissioner Peter Severin resigns
The NSW Corrections Commissioner Peter Severin has resigned, announcing he will retire next month. See the latest.
NSW
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NSW Corrections Commission Peter Severin has revealed he has resigned — after more than 40 years in the industry.
The commissioner told Corrections Minister Anthony Roberts he would retire as commissioner of Corrective Services NSW on July 31.
“This is not an easy decision but one that is an important step in my life,” he said. “I was very fortunate to have worked in corrections in two countries and four jurisdictions and it was a privilege to be the commissioner and chief executive for 18 years.”
Mr Severin said there had been “many changes, new developments and significant improvements” during his career in the industry: “I am proud that I could be part of some of that”.
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The announcement of Mr Severin’s retirement comes after NewsLocal revealed a damning workplace survey found more than 550 NSW Corrective Services staff had reported incidents of sexual harassment in the last year — sparking a tour by senior staff and assistant commissioners to all corrective services centres across the state.
A further 1647 staff members made allegations of bullying in the workplace as part of the People Matters Survey.
“Nine per cent or almost 570 staff indicated that they have experienced sexual harassment at work in the last twelve months,” the commissioner wrote in a response to all staff.
“Recent events, involving serious allegations against some staff, demonstrates how poor behaviour can escalate when it is not called out and quickly addressed.”
The Minister and department were contacted for comment.
Corrections Minister Anthony Roberts said he was notified today of Mr Severin’s retirement.
“In late 2019 Commissioner Severin was elected as the new President of the International Corrections and Prisons Association,” he said. “At that time Mr Severin indicated to me it was his intention to retire in early 2020.
“Due to a combination of catastrophic natural disasters, the Worldwide Covid-19 pandemic and closed international borders, Mr Severin agreed to continue as Commissioner in NSW.”
The Minister said he applauded the commitment of the commissioner in postponing his retirement. “and leading corrections through the unprecedented challenges of 2020”
“I am grateful to have worked alongside Commissioner Severin for the past two years and wish him and his wife, Isabelle, all the success in the future,” he said.
“Commissioner Severin was instrumental in delivering the successful Prison Bed Capacity Program, a $3.8 billion investment, creating in excess of 5,000 new beds and enabling better services and the retirement of obsolete and outdated facilities.”
NewsLocal can confirm an interim commissioner has not been established by the department to replace Mr Severin after July 31.
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