Tom Clements (public official)

Tom Clements (1949 – March 19, 2013) was an American public official who served as the head of the Colorado Department of Corrections from January 2011 until his assassination in March 2013.

Clements, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Springfield, dedicated his career to corrections and criminal justice reform. Prior to his appointment in Colorado, he served as the director of the Missouri Department of Corrections from 2004 to 2011.

During his tenure in both Missouri and Colorado, Clements was known for his progressive approach to corrections, emphasizing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and improving the safety of both inmates and staff. He implemented initiatives focused on inmate education, mental health services, and re-entry programs designed to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release.

Clements' assassination on March 19, 2013, at his home near Monument, Colorado, shocked the corrections community and the state. The perpetrator, Evan Ebel, was a former inmate who had been released on parole despite a history of violent behavior. The circumstances surrounding Ebel's release and the subsequent investigation into Clements' murder led to significant scrutiny of Colorado's parole system and prompted calls for reform. The incident also raised questions about the safety of corrections officials and the challenges of balancing rehabilitation with public safety concerns. Clements' death was widely mourned, and he was remembered for his dedication to improving the corrections system and his commitment to a more humane and effective approach to criminal justice.