NSW Corrective Services Commissioner: who could replace Peter Severin
The race is on to find the next Corrective Services Commissioner following Peter Severin’s retirement. See our list of the top 10 people to replace him. Cast your vote here.
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The resignation of Corrective Services Commissioner, Peter Severin, last month has sparked a flurry of speculation over who will replace the department boss.
On June 7, NewsLocal broke the news Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin had revealed to staff and Corrective Services Minister Anthony Roberts he would resign after more than 40 years in the industry.
NewsLocal has broken down the people being mention as the top contenders for the role of NSW Corrective Services Commissioner.
SEE THE PROSPECTS FOR THE TOP JOB AND HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR POLL
Sue Wilson
Current Corrective Services NSW Assistant Commissioner, Security and Intelligence, Sue Wilson, has a strong history in Corrections after governing the Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre — the largest centre in NSW — as well as John Morony Correctional Centre.
Mrs Wilson was appointed as assistant commissioner in January, 2020 after serving 28 years in the NSW Public Service.
The assistant commissioner started her career with NSW Police, before moving to Corrective Services NSW.
According to an appointment address by former commissioner Peter Severin, Mrs Wilson worked through the custodial ranks in diverse areas including Custodial Corrections, security and intelligence.
She was one of the first bosses of the Department’s Security Operations Group and was general manager of the State Prison Population project.
Mrs Wilson took over the role from her husband, former Assistant Commissioner. Security and Intelligence, Mark Wilson.
Robert Critchlow
Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow, may have been announced as the newly appointed Organised Crime Squad Commander — but senior government sources have revealed he is being considered as a top contender for the role of Corrective Services Commissioner.
Starting his career in the Botany Bay Local Area Command in 1990, Supt. Critchlow has risen through the ranks of NSW Police in specialist roles combating drug trafficking and money laundering in the National Crime Authority.
Following his time at the NCA, Supt. Critchlow moved into the role of team leader of the Clandestine Laboratory Team of the Drug Squad and Acting Commander and project officer for the NSW Police state plan implementation.
The long-serving officer was then appointed Investigations Co-ordinator at the NSW State Crime Command before taking on the role of Local Area Commander at North Shore LAC and then The Hills Police Area Command.
Since moving on from The Hills in 2019, the Superintendent has lead the State Crime Command’s Criminal Goups Squad — tasked with taking down serious criminal groups including Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.
Supt. Critchlow’s history of fighting organised crime and eradicating OMCG’s is highlighted through a series of high-level strategic plans designed to disrupt gang activity across the state.
Peter Martin
Outgoing Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner, Peter Martin, announced his resignation from the Sunshine State’s top corrective’s role just days before NSW Commissioner Peter Severin.
Mr Martin has held the role of Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner since 2017, and has a 38-year history serving in the Queensland Police Service.
“As Deputy Commissioner, Regional Operations, he was responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, overview and review of the delivery of policing services across Queensland,” he Queensland Government biography said.
“Commissioner Martin APM is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland.
“He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Health, School of Psychology and Counselling at Queensland University of Technology, an Executive Master’s degree in Public Administration through the Australian and New Zealand School of Government and Griffith University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Administration.”
Margaret Cunneen
Senior government sources also name-dropped former Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen as a possible replacement for Severin.
Mrs Cunneen held the role of Deputy Senior Crown Poesecutor from 1991 to 2019 and was the Commissioner of the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into the investigation of child sexual abuse allegations in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle from 2012-2014.
In February this year, Mrs Cunneen was elected president of the Rule of Law Education Centre and, in 2017, was recognised for 40 years of service to NSW.
The prosecutor was also appointed to Attorney-General’s Expert Panel on the implementation of a Commonwealth Integrity Commission from 2018 to 2019.
Sandra Crawford
NSW Corrective Services Assistant Commissioner for Community Corrections, Sandra Crawford, could also be considered for the role of Commissioner.
Former Commissioner Peter Severin announced Ms Crawford’s appointment as AC in May 2020, after she acted in the role since 2019.
Ms Crawford previously held the role of director in Community Operations at Corrective Services NSW.
“Prior to Sandra joining CSNSW, she was with the then Justice Strategy and Police Division in the previous Department of Justice and had many years’ experience in Family and Community Services,” Mr Severin said at the time of her appointment.
Ms Crawford also held the role of executive officer of the Office of the Director General from 2008 to 2010.
Luke Grant
Deputy Commissioner of Corrective Services NSW, Luke Grant, is also an obvious choice to rise up the ranks within the department.
Joining Corrective Services NSW as an Education Officer in 1992, Mr Grant rose through the ranks while holding positions in programs, inmate classification and inmate management.
Mr Grant took on the role of Assistant Commissioner, Offender Services and Programs in 2002.
Mr Grant is recognised for introducing programs, assessment and intervention processes as well as a series of improvements within the department’s systems.
The Deputy Commissioner, who also hold a Master of Science Degree (Research), was appointed to his current position in 2012 and is frequently called on to act as commissioner when the role is absent.
Mr Grant’s role places his in responsibility of business analysis, workplace relations, media and communications, ministerial and executive support, the administration of sentences and orders.
Nick Kaldas
Another big name tipped to be considered for the role is former NSW Police deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas.
The former commissioner served on the NSW Police Force from 1981 to 2016 and received the Australian Police Medal for his service. Kaldas was tipped to be a future NSW Police Commissioner, however, he resigned in 2016.
From 2016 to 2018, Mr Kaldas was appointed as internal oversight services director in the United Nations Relief Works Agency, and was tasked with spearheading investigations, audits, evaluation programs and an Ethics Division.
Co-ordinating a staff of more than 30,000 and a $2 billion budget, Mr Kaldas oversaw fields in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, West Bank, and Jordan.
The former deputy commissioner was also UN investigations chief, tasked with investigating the use of chemical weapons during the Syrian conflict, the assassination of Lebanon Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005 and instructed on the redevelopment of the Iraqi National Police.
Dr Anne Marie Martin
Assistant Commissioner, offender management and policy, Dr Anne Marie Martin is also one of the correctives insiders poised to be considered for the role of Commissioner.
Dr Martin was South Australian Department for Correctional Services offender development executive director.
She has worked in Corrections since 2004, after working as a psychologist for the Australian Air Force and Health.
She also held the role of senior clinical and principal policy officer for the SA Correctional Services.
Dr martin holds a doctorate of Psychology and a Master of Psychology.
Gary McCahon
Queensland Corrective Services deputy commissioner Gary McCahon could also be called on to head south and be appointed as CSNSW commissioner.
Mr McCahon was appointed deputy commissioner in Queensland in May 2020, however, started his career in correction in North Queensland in the early 1980s.
Holding the role of general manager for 25 years in correctional facilities both here and in Queensland, Mr McCahon also hold the role of director of Custodial Operations and the director of the Corrective Services Academy in NSW.
Kevin Corcoran
Assistant Commissioner, Custodial Corrections Kevin Corcoran will work as the acting commissioner of Corrective Services NSW from August 1.
Mr Corcoran started his career in the corrections industry in South Australia as a prison officer, before working in senior executive roles in Queensland Corrections between 1994 and 1999 where he was responsible for all public sector adult prisons, juvenile detention facilities and community correction across Queensland.
He has held the role of Assistant Commissioner, Custodial Corrections at Corrective Services NSW since 2014.
For 14 years, Mr Corcoran ran a corporate risk solutions company specialising in security risk assessment and advice, as well as crisis management. The company provided assessments and advice to federal, state and international governments on adult corrections, as well as juvenile and immigration detention facilities.
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