Head of Ohio prisons oversight panel reinstated

COLUMBUS (AP) — The executive director of a prisons oversight committee who faced firing over alleged insubordination is in the clear and back on the job.

Joanna Saul, who runs the bipartisan Correctional Institution Inspection Committee, was criticized by the panel’s chairwoman for her handling of a report about the prison system’s private food vendor.

Committee chairwoman Shirley Smith, a Democratic state senator from Cleveland, confirmed without explanation today that she had reinstated Saul, who was on administrative leave.

Saul confirmed her reinstatement but declined further comment.

State Rep. Bob Hagan of Youngstown, D-59th, a committee member who opposed Saul’s firing, questions whether Gov. John Kasich was involved in efforts to fire Saul.

A message was left with Kasich’s office.