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DeWine Nominates First Woman To Lead Ohio's Prison System

(from left to right) former Rep. Jeff McClain, Annette Chambers-Smith, Governor-elect Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor-elect Jon Husted, Kevin Miller
Andy Chow
(from left to right) former Rep. Jeff McClain, Annette Chambers-Smith, Governor-elect Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor-elect Jon Husted, Kevin Miller

Governor-elect Mike DeWine announced the nomination of Annette Chambers-Smith as the next director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. If confirmed, Chambers-Smith would be the first woman to lead the DRC.

DeWine says the two have discussed criminal justice reform, which includes prison overpopulation and recidivism.

“As we move toward prison reform, which we believe is important -- or criminal justice reform -- the safety of the public must always be the most important consideration,” says DeWine.

DeWine also picked former Rep. Jeff McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) as tax commissioner and assistant Secretary of State Matt Damschroder as head of Department of Administrative Services, which has been the focus of questions about unfair contracting practices.

Copyright 2019 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.