(The Center Square) — New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has tapped a U.S. Marshal to head the state’s correctional office after the former commissioner resigned in May under political pressure and claims of mismanagement.
On Tuesday, Ayotte announced that she nominated William R. Hart to serve as the state’s next Department of Corrections Commissioner. Hart, a highly respected law enforcement leader, brings decades of experience in public safety and administration, Ayotte said.
“Bill Hart has devoted his life to protecting the people of New Hampshire and strengthening our public safety system,” Ayotte said in a statement. “His decades of service reflect his commitment, integrity, and ability to lead with both strength and fairness.”
In a statement, Hart pledged to work to “strengthen public safety, uphold the highest standards of professionalism, and advance our shared mission of rehabilitation and the security of all Granite Staters.”
Hart, a Marine veteran and longtime law-enforcement official, currently serves as the U.S. Marshal for the District of New Hampshire, a position he has held since he was nominated by then President Joe Biden. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2023. He has previously served as a Londonderry police chief and County Attorney for Rockingham County, among other positions.
He replaces Helen Hanks, who stepped down from the position in May amid criticism over chronic staffing shortages in the department that led to increased overtime pay as workers cover shifts left open by vacancies. She has also been accused in a pending court case of destroying evidence related to a murder investigation over a death inside one of the state’s prisons.
Hanks also ruffled feathers in Concord during the most recent budget cycle by publicly criticizing top Republican lawmakers who were proposing cuts in state spending in the department to plug revenue gaps. She argued that the cost-cutting would create safety risks in the state’s prison system.
The Executive Council must approve Hart’s nomination. Still, Counselor John Stephen called Ayotte’s pick a “great choice” and noted Hart’s “long and distinguished career centered on putting Granite Staters first, with a proven track record of integrity and dedication.”
“Under his leadership, we can expect streamlined services at the Department of Corrections while ensuring accountability to our citizens and taxpayers,” Stephen said in a statement.
