The chief inspector of prisons in Scotland is to step down at the end of his four-year term this summer.
The “natural break” in June is an appropriate time to leave the role, Brigadier Hugh Monro said.
“I have very much enjoyed this job and there is much work under way that I would have liked to bring to a conclusion,” he said.
He sparked debate on female offenders after an inspection of Cornton Vale women’s prison in 2009, the first year of his appointment, and said Scotland now “leads the way”.
Other issues he explored include improved family contact for prisoners and better visiting facilities.
“We’ve opened the debate on young offenders, and hugely improved our own inspecting and reporting process,” he continued. “And of course the Scottish Prison Service is undergoing a period of transformational change which I continue to support.
“It has been a real privilege to be HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and I hope that I can be of help again to the Scottish Government or Scottish Prison Service in future.”
The 59-year-old served in the Army for 36 years before retiring in 2008.
He was commissioned to the Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1972 and commanded the 52nd Lowland Brigade, based in Edinburgh Castle, from 1998 to 2001.
During that time he led the operation to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease in southern Scotland.
His final posting was as the deputy commanding general of the multi-national security transition command in Iraq.