Editor
Baltimore Sun
501 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21278
To the Editor:
It is fitting that someone say a word on behalf of Arnold Hopkins (who resigned as Commissioner of Correction August 15) in view of the publicity upon his resignation.
Like many people, I have had my share of disagreement with Mr. Hopkins over the years, but at his departure, it ought to be appreciated that nobody gets out of the Augean Stables smelling like a perfect rose.
Managing the Division of Correction successfully is no mortal task - it is nothing less than Herculean. Over and above decrepit, antiquated facilities, ever-burgeoning inmate populations, recalcitrant unions, flip-flopping from Annapolis, pork barrel building projects and budget constraints, the incumbent Commissioner must contend with many and several institutions, each of which conducts itself like its own fiefdom. The "ball dropping" as to proper fencing which came to light after multiple escapes from the House of Correction is only a token illustration.
Mr. Hopkins has been responsible for numerous advances in the way the Division operates which are transparent to the external observer. One must comprehend that in the context of the Division, skills and background tend to be low and internal resistance to authority tends to be high. Mr. Hopkins was in the course of introducing professionalism at all levels. Among many other things, this consisted of regular audits, standardization of Division policies statewide, and - depending on regulation by other State agencies - basic standards in employee hiring, performance and discipline. Mr. Hopkins greatly furthered Headquarters expertise and organization, and was attempting to introduce a system of employee performance appraisal (a technique previously unheard of in the Division).
It is unfortunate that the Department of Public Safety must recruit another Commissioner in the wake of the public comment on Mr. Hopkins. The State will be well served if the next Commissioner is at least as good as the one lost and his tenure as enduring.
Sincerely,
Nancy Moran
Volunteer, Prisoners Aid Association
nm
cc:
Mr. Arnold Hopkins
Mr. Bishop Robinson
Mr. Timothy Maloney