Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director

Terry J. Collins began his career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in 1977 as a social worker at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. In 1980, he transferred to the London Correctional Institution where he served in a number of various capacities to include labor relations officer, and deputy warden of programs. Collins was appointed to the position of warden in 1991 at the Lorain Correctional Institution. He also served as warden at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility and Ross Correctional Institution before being promoted to South Regional Director at Central Office in 1999, Deputy Director of Institutions in 2000, and Assistant Director in 2005. In May 2006, the former Governor Taft appointed Collins as Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and Governor Ted Strickland reappointed him in February 2007.

Collins oversees over 13,000 employees and an inmate population over 51,000. There are also over 34,000 offenders under supervision with the Adult Parole Authority. He also manages a department budget of over $1.7 Billion.

Collins is a member of various organizations including the American Correctional Association (ACA), the Ohio Correctional and Court Services Association, the National Association of Wardens and Superintendents, the Ohio Wardens Association, the Correctional Accreditation Association of Ohio, the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, the Midwest Directors Association, the National Association of Correctional Record Administrators & Supervisors, and the Association of State Correctional Administrators. He has also worked with the National Institute of Corrections on a variety of correctional topics and serves as an auditor for the American Correctional Association.

Mr. Collins received a degree in Sociology with emphasis in Corrections from Morehead State University in 1977, and a Masters of Corrections in 1980 from Xavier University.

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