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Morris L. Thigpen, Director

Morris Thigpen is a native of Meridian, Mississippi. He holds a B.S. degree from Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, and an M.Ed. degree from Mississippi State University.

Mr. Thigpen's corrections career began in 1971 with the Mississippi Department of Youth Services, where he served as Coordinator of Personnel and Training, Superintendent of the Training School, and Director of Juvenile Probation and Parole.

In 1977, Mr. Thigpen was appointed Director of the Community Services Division, Mississippi Department of Corrections, and was responsible for adult probation and parole services throughout the state. Three years later, he was appointed Commissioner of Corrections, a position he held for 6 years.

In 1987, Mr. Thigpen was named Commissioner of Corrections in Alabama. In 1993, he returned to the Mississippi government as Deputy Administrator of the Department of Human Services. He was appointed Director of the National Institute of Corrections in June 1994 by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.

Mr. Thigpen is active in several professional organizations and has served as President of the Association of State Correctional Administrators and of the Southern States Correctional Association. He has received numerous awards recognizing his commitment and leadership in corrections.

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