COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- Gov.-elect Nikki Haley has picked a former Family Court judge to lead the state's prisons and a longtime administrator at the Juvenile Justice Department to take over that agency.
Haley announced her choices Thursday of Bill Byars, who is the current director of the Juvenile Justice Department, to lead the state Corrections Department and Margaret Barber, Byars' chief of staff, to take over Juvenile Justice.
“What Judge Byars and Margaret Barber have done at DJJ is one of the biggest success stories in the country,” said Gov.-elect Haley. “They are innovative leaders who work hard and know that government must understand the value of a dollar, and they are committed to improving lives by strengthening both of these critical state agencies.”
Byars is credited with turning around the state's system of jailing and rehabilitating youthful offenders after a lawsuit claiming overcrowding and abuse led the federal government to oversee the agency's operations in 1995. Barber was named chief of staff at the agency in 2007.
They are Haley's third and fourth announced Cabinet picks of 15 total. The state Senate must confirm all nominees.
Earlier this week Haley announced her choices for senior staff members.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH