State Corrections Board Chair Robin Sandy to retire next week

Robin Sandy, chair of the Idaho Board of Correction, will retire Jan. 12, she announced today, after 18 years of state service. Sandy served as the Corrections board chair under both Govs. Butch Otter and Jim Risch, and served on the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole under Govs. Phil Batt and Dirk Kempthorne. “I have greatly appreciated Robin’s hard work and dedication,” Otter said. “Ensuring the public safety, while at the same time, safeguarding the taxpayer’s best interest is hard work which Robin accomplished with great skill.”

Sandy was the first woman to serve as Corrections board chair, a position in which she oversaw the first execution in Idaho in 17 years. As chair of the Commission of Pardons and Parole, she also presided over infamous killer Claude Dallas’ parole hearing. “I’ve seen IDOC go from bed-driven to program-driven, and there have been so many good changes in the last 18 years, good for the taxpayers,” Sandy said. “I wanted to make sure the department was in good order before I left. I am confident that the department is in good hands with (Director) Kevin (Kempf) and his leadership team.”

Otter is expected to name a replacement later this month.