Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Terry Collins will resign after 33 years of state service, according to a news release issued by the governor's office. 

About 3 of those years were spent as director of the corrections department.

Collins informed his staff of his decision on Friday.  His retirement is effective Jan. 31.

In an e-mail to his staff t, Collins wrote that the decision was extremely difficult and he was ready to begin new chapter in his life.

A department spokeswoman said Collins was looking forward to spending more time with his family.

Strickland also released a statement, praising Collins' work.

"I greatly appreciate the service and dedication of Terry Collins," Strickland said in a statement.  "As DRC director, he has carried out some of the most difficult responsibilities that any individual could face. He has managed a corrections system that is well beyond capacity, and has dealt with very difficult economic circumstances in his department while showing great concern for the safety and security of his employees."

In the past year, Collins has faced several controversies at the department, 10 Investigates' Paul Aker reported.

Last January, 10 Investigates revealed Collins and his corrections employees attended an end-of-year celebration. The party cost taxpayers more than $60,000 in wages at the same time the budget crisis threatened to close prisons and layoff employees.

In May, Collins' Deputy Director Michael Randle stepped down to take a job in Illinois following a 10 Investigates story that revealed Randle had created a one-of-a-kind partnership with a fraternity brother. The deal allowed the outside businessman to buy furniture made by inmates for less money than state law required other state agencies to purchase the same furniture.

In November, 10 Investigates exposed a pattern of questionable employment practices within the DRC. The investigation revealed the DRC had fired and then quickly reinstated 30 employees it had terminated for serious violations such as, threatening to shoot other employees and sexual harassment. 

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