Ayotte To Nominate U.S. Marshal Hart Next Department Of Corrections Commissioner

By Nancy West, InDepth NH

CONCORD, NH — Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced she will nominate 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 in a news release Tuesday.

Hart, who currently serves as United States Marshal for the District of New Hampshire, formerly worked as Londonderry's police chief and as Rockingham County Attorney.

“Bill Hart has devoted his life to protecting the people of New Hampshire and strengthening our public safety system,”Ayotte said. “His decades of service reflect his commitment, integrity, and ability to lead with both strength and fairness. I am confident he will advance the Department of Corrections’ mission to enhance public safety and that he will bring the dedication, transparency, and expertise this critical role demands.”

If approved by the Executive Council, Hart will replace Helen Hanks. Ayotte said in a news release in May that she accepted Hanks' resignation, the same day Ayotte placed Assistant Commissioner Paul Raymond on leave effective immediately. Two months later Raymond resigned from the troubled department.

Hanks was criticized by Matthew Millar's Defense attorney Eric Raymond during Millar's trial last month. He blamed Hanks for the case against former corrections officer Matthew Millar for the murder of Jason Rothe, a patient in the Secure Psychiatric Unit at the men's prison when Millar worked there. The jury found Millar not guilty.

Eric Raymond told jurors in that case that Hanks wanted to deflect attention from her poor leadership and the department's failed use of force policies to escape liability in Rothe’s April 29, 2023 death.

John Scippa, director of the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training, filled in for Hanks.

“I’ve known Bill for many years and have seen firsthand his dedication to transparency, stability, and the highest professional standards,” Scippa said in Ayotte's news release. “His leadership will bring strength and steadiness to the Department of Corrections, and I’m confident he will serve with the same integrity and commitment that have defined his entire career.”

Executive Councilor John Stephen was also quoted in Ayotte's news release. “Having worked alongside Bill in various law enforcement capacities over the decades, I know firsthand that he brings a long and distinguished career centered on putting Granite Staters first, with a proven track record of integrity and dedication. I look forward to continued discussions with Bill as his nomination moves forward, and I firmly believe he is a great choice for the job. Under his leadership, we can expect streamlined services at the Department of Corrections while ensuring accountability to our citizens and taxpayers,” Stephen said.

Hart, too was quoted in the release. “I am honored to be nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. It has been my privilege to spend my career in service to the people of New Hampshire, and I look forward to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Department to strengthen public safety, uphold the highest standards of professionalism, and advance our shared mission of rehabilitation and the security of all Granite Staters.”

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.