Tuesday, March 6, 2007

RITTER APPOINTS JEANNE SMITH TO LEAD CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION


 
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced his selection of Deputy Attorney General Jeanne Smith as director of the Division of Criminal Justice. 

Smith has served as deputy A.G. for criminal justice for two years. Prior to that, she was the district attorney in the Colorado Springs-based 4th Judicial District for eight years. She was with the D.A.'s office for a total of 22 years. 

"Jeanne Smith's commitment to public safety, her wealth of experience and commitment to criminal justice issues make her the ideal leader for this division," Gov. Ritter said. "She will help us implement innovative programs as we seek to reduce the offender recidivism rate while making the people of Colorado safer."
 
The Division of Criminal Justice is one of four divisions within the Department of Public Safety. The division coordinates services for victims of crime, sex offender management, domestic violence offender management, criminal justice system grants, and community corrections programs. It is state government's leading criminal justice policy research organization. 

"I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Gov. Ritter and Department of Public Safety Executive Director Peter Weir to help implement the governor's criminal justice strategy," Smith said. "Reducing offender recidivism is a critical need in Colorado." 

Smith's appointment is effective April 2, 2007.