Corey Allen Young has been hired by the Alaska Department of Corrections as its spokesman.
Young was a reporter for 11 years, working at KTVA and KTUU in Anchorage.
“I am thrilled to have a former journalist join our team,” said Commissioner Dean Williams. “As we work to increase safety within our facilities and reduce recidivism, Corey will play a key role in communicating all of our efforts to the public and within the department. Corey has spent countless hours volunteering to help others in the community, and has a true heart and passion for service.”
Gov. Bill Walker appointed Williams to lead the corrections department on Jan. 28, replacing [Walt] Monegan who was among several applicants for the commissioner job. The department has been under scrutiny for inmate deaths, management problems, under staffing, weak internal investigations, overuse of solitary confinement, and other issues. Williams and a retired FBI agent issued a scathing report in November that listed a number of systemic problems that Williams has vowed to tackle.