Hogan Picks Montgomery's Corrections Chief To Lead Prison System

ROCKVILLE, MD — Robert Green, director of the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, is leaving to run the state's correctional department.

Gov. Larry Hogan announced he had picked Green as the head of the State's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services on Monday. Green's last day in Montgomery County government is May 12.

"Rob Green is a nationally recognized and respected leader with more than 34 years in public safety and corrections," Hogan said. "He brings a tremendous wealth of experience to the department, and Marylanders can trust he will prioritize the safety of all who come into contact with our corrections system — both for our inmate population and our correctional officers."

Green, who was hired by Montgomery County in 2000 as a corrections division chief, was appointed director in 2015. In his current role, Green is responsible for a budget of more than $67 million and a prison population of more than 2,000.

During his career, Green created a Detention Services Re-Entry Unit at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, a nationally-recognized system that has been replicated in other jurisdictions across the country.

"Rob Green's leadership and influence extend beyond the walls of our correctional facilities," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. "His work to improve the quality of life, education, care, and security of the inmate population of the County's Correctional system, and the staff that manage it, has set a nationally recognized standard in the effort to reduce recidivism."

"Rob will be a huge contribution to the State," Elrich continued. "He has one of the best minds on prison reform; and the work that's been done in Montgomery County is critical to the rest of the State. Montgomery County owes Rob a debt of gratitude; and I'm glad the rest of the State will realize that benefit as well."

In his new role, Green will be heading one of the largest departments in Maryland, with nearly 12,000 employees and a budget of more than $1 billion.

"I am committed to building upon Governor Hogan's record of rooting out corruption in our state’s prison system," Green said. "It is an honor to be appointed by the governor to this position and continue to proudly serve my state and my profession."