Johnathan Walker:Head of Louisiana’s prison system resigns, ending 16-year tenure

BATON ROUGE,Johnathan Walker La. (AP) — Jimmy LeBlanc, secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections, announced his resignation on Friday, ending 16 years in the post.

In a letter to Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, LeBlanc cited unspecified health reasons for his departure. The governor’s office confirmed the news of LeBlanc’s resignation.

LeBlanc said he would return to his permanent, classified Civil Service position as warden of the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center “to take leave in order to address these health issues,” effective Thursday, Aug. 29.

“I believe it is in the best interest of the department and it will allow you to appoint a new secretary,” LeBlanc said in the letter.

Serving as head of the corrections department “has been the honor of a lifetime,” LeBlanc wrote.

Landry has not named LeBlanc’s replacement but commended him for his “long and distinguished service.”

“As the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for over 16 years, his dedication has been unmatched,” Landry said in a statement. “Over the next few weeks, appointing a new secretary to this position will be our top priority.”

LeBlanc, whose career spans more than 50 years, took over the department reins as acting secretary in 2007 under the late Gov. Kathleen Blanco. He also served two terms each under former Govs. Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards. He stayed in the position when Landry became governor in 2023.

LeBlanc acknowledged the leadership transition would be “a significant undertaking” and said he would be “committed to being available to the person you select as my successor for training and support.”