Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Department of Corrections said state Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps has resigned without giving a reason.

Corrections officials said Wednesday that Epps is leaving the prison agency immediately after 12 years as commissioner and 32 years of state service. The department says he will move to retired status.

Epps, 53, worked his way through the ranks of the department and was appointed commissioner by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove n 2002. He was a deputy commissioner for community programs at the time.

Epps stayed on as commissioner through the administrations of Republican Gov. Haley Barbour and Phil Bryant.

Bryant said he has begun the search for an interim commissioner

In his resignation letter to Bryant, Epps said: "I am retiring effective immediately today, Nov. 5, 2014. Thank you for the opportunity to serve under your leadership since Jan. 11, 2012."

He also announced his resignation to the Mississippi Department of Corrections staff in an email Wednesday.

Epps leaves as the longest serving commissioner of the department.

He also serves as the president of the American Correctional Association and the Association of State Correctional Administrators.