(BOP) - National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Director Jim L. Cosby left the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on January 19, 2017. Mr. Cosby, a political appointee, was appointed to his position by Attorney General Eric Holder effective February 22, 2015.
Director Cosby began his career in corrections in 1978 as a probation and parole officer for the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole. There he held every line position within the agency and was promoted through the ranks to progressively higher-ranking positions, including Regional Director. From 1999 to 2004, he served as the State Director of Probation and Parole and was responsible for the overall supervision of the Division of Field Services. In 2004, Mr. Cosby was appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Correction, where he was responsible for statewide program planning, budgeting and administration for all rehabilitative services throughout the agency. In 2011, Mr. Cosby began working for NIC as the Division Chief for the Community Services Division and was responsible for the coordination of technical assistance, specialized training, and programs related to probation, parole, and other forms of community-based corrections.
BOP Acting Director Thomas R. Kane thanked Mr. Cosby for his service in the role as NIC Director stating, "Under Jim's outstanding leadership, NIC made great strides in assisting state and local corrections agencies across the country. Through his dedication to public service and penchant for innovation, Jim ensured NIC provided the field an array of quality programs, services, training, and technical assistance on a daily basis."