The governor of Perth Prison is emigrating to take charge a new £200 million jail in New Zealand.
Mike Inglis who began his jail career as a prison officer in Perth will front the new Wari Prison in South Auckland.
The 43-year-old, who will leave in three weeks’ time and will then appoint a team of senior managers, admitted the move will be “an exciting challenge”.
“I will be jumping in at the deep end,” he said. “It will be a wrench leaving friends, family and colleagues in the Scottish Prison Service.
“I have loved my job as governor of Perth Prison but the timing seems right for a variety of reasons.”
Mr Inglis, who was brought up in Letham area of Perth, recalled how he was attracted to the prison service by an advert asking: “Do you want to make a difference?”.
“Family and friends thought I was mad but I joined as a prison officer in Perth and picked up promotions along the way it is a decision I have never regretted,” he said
Mr Inglis has also worked in Aberdeen, Castle Huntly open prison and Noranside, and spent a period at the Polmont Young Offenders’ Institute prior to taking over as governor at Perth in 2011.
“I am proud to have started as a prison officer at Perth in 1995 and finished my time with the SPS here as governor,” he said.
“It has been a fantastic time with a lot of great and innovative steps being taken in Scotland and at Perth in particular, so there is an element of sadness in leaving.
“There has been a massive multi-million-pound investment in the fabric at Perth, re-energising the prison and pushing ahead with strategies designed to reduce reoffending.
“Whoever succeeds me will be inheriting an excellent team,” he added.