Commissioner Leclaire began his career with the Department as a Correction Officer in March 1977.

He rose through the security ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain at various facilities until September of 1994 when he was appointed Director of Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) operations.

In April of 1998, Leclaire was promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Facility Operations. His appointment to his most recent position of Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities followed on April 15, 1999.

XXX XXX While undoubtedly memoranda will continue to go out under the name of Lucien J. Leclaire Jr. to DOCS facilities around the state, the title under the name will be changed from the one under his name in the modified image above. The original was available on the DOCS web site from before his appointment as Acting Commissioner.

“I'm confident that Lucien Leclaire, Jr. will ensure that New York State’s prisons will continue to maintain the highest of standards that has been this systems’ hallmark for the past 11 years," Governor Pataki said.

"His vast experience as a member of the Department for close to 30 years demonstrates that he can oversee and manage the 31,500 employees and 63,400 inmates held at our 69 state correctional facilities.”

“I’m proud of the work accomplished with Glenn Goord at the helm of our correctional facilities,” Governor Pataki said. “Mr. Goord’s service has resulted in the creation, implementation and oversight of some of the Department's best innovations and improvements: including the Shock Incarceration Program and ensuring each prison meets nationally-accepted standards, operating at the safest level in 25 years.”