The state Corrections Board on Tuesday chose a 35-year veteran of the Arkansas prison system to be the new director in the wake of Larry Norris’ retirement in January.
Ray Hobbs, who was chief deputy director of the Arkansas Department of Correction under Norris, was named to the top job on an interim basis after his boss retired. On Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to put Hobbs in the post on a permanent basis.
Hobbs was hired in 1975 as an entry-level guard at the Tucker Unit. He was eventually promoted to chief of security at Tucker, assistant warden, warden, assistant department director and chief deputy director.
Benny Magness, chairman of the Corrections Board, said its members had been very pleased with Hobbs’ performance as interim director.
Hobbs said after his selection that he was “determined to keep the department moving forward.”
He and his wife, Sarah, live in Pine Bluff, where the prison system’s headquarters offices are located.