DOC Commissioner Leo Arnone Retiring After Four Decades

Gov. Malloy announced Thursday correction department Commissioner Leo Arnone will retire April 1. after serving the state for 39 years.

Arnone has held a variety of roles in the state correctional system, starting as a correctional officer in 1974. Prior to being appointed to his current role in 2010, his work focused on Juvenile Detention Services, both in the Judicial Branch and as Bureau Chief at the DCF Bureau of Juvenile Services.

In his letter of resignation, published Monday, Arnone said:

I have served this great state for almost 39 years, making this decision very difficult. My family has been the support, providing the strength that has helped sustain my career throughout the years.  They never questioned the long hours, lost weekends, and 24-hour on-call that comes with this type of work.  It is time to repay those years of dedication by spending quality time with my wife and family.

“As commissioner of the correction department, he has particularly been respected and admired, not only within Connecticut, but throughout the country for turning our correctional facilities into a nationwide model,” said Malloy in a statement. Malloy re-appointed Arnone after former Gov. Jodi Rell’s initial appointment.