Gov. Lee appoints members to criminal justice task force

Associated Press

5 years ago

In this Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 file photo, Tennessee Gov.-elect Bill Lee takes part in a walk-through for his inauguration in War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee has signed legislation that would likely make Tennessee the first to fine voter registration groups for turning in too many incomplete signup forms. It drew an immediate federal lawsuit. Tennessee's NAACP chapter and other voter registration groups sued after Lee signed the bill Thursday, May 2, 2019 backed by Republican Secretary of State Tre Hargett. Groups submitting 100-plus incomplete registrations over a year could be fined. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gov. Bill Lee has appointed members to a task force dedicated to addressing and improving Tennessee’s criminal justice system.

Lee announced Wednesday that Brandon Gibson will chair the committee. Gibson is one of Lee’s senior advisers after previously working as Tennessee’s only female Court of Appeals judge. Lee had previously created the task force in an executive order in March.

Former Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons, Nashville Electric Service President and CEO Decosta Jenkins and former Nashville District Attorney General Torry Johnson will also help lead the task force.

According to a news release, the 12-member group will spend the next two legislative sessions developing policy and budget recommendations on preventing crime, reducing recidivism, supporting crime victims and addressing other top criminal justice issues.