Alumni Mentor
Criminology & Criminal Justice

Bruce Lemmon

Contact: blemmon1949@gmail.com
1975
Criminology
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Bruce LemmonA 1975 graduate of Indiana State University, Bruce Lemmon started his career with the IDOC as a recreational leader in 1976. He quickly rose through the ranks holding multiple leadership positions including Superintendent, Regional Director, Deputy Commissioner of Re-Entry, Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Deputy Commissioner of Administration. After decades of service, he was appointed as the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction. Lemmon was maintained in this role for 6 years.

Known for creating a culture of caring within the agency, Lemmon demonstrated his commitment to offender rehabilitation and successful reentry by introducing motherhood and fatherhood parenting program into each adult facility. With the knowledge that 80 to 85 percent of offenders enter into prison with a substance abuse disorder leading to their incarceration, Lemmon created C.L.I.F.F. (Clean Living Is Freedom Forever), a substance abuse program for offenders with an addiction to methamphetamines.

Another accomplishment during his tenure was the significant expansion of the P.L.U.S. (Purposeful Living Units Serve) Program, a character and faith-based program that teaches offenders to change their criminal way of thinking while giving back to the community. In the past five years the PLUS program has donated more than $100,000 to child abuse prevention programs.

Commissioner Lemmon’s compassion was not limited to the offender population. Under his leadership he greatly expanded the number of scholarships made available through the Correctional Professional Assistance Fund of Indiana (CPAFI). This foundation helps IDOC employees who experience financial challenges such as home loss due to residential fires, storm damage, medical needs or scholarship needs.