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CHARLESTON -- The Office of Research and Strategic Planning, a division of Justice and Community Services in West Virginia Homeland Security, has hired a new director.
Catie L. Clark recently was research and planning manager for Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services in Charlotte, N.C.
"It is an honor to have been selected to serve as the Director of the Office of Research and Strategic Planning within Justice and Community Services, " Clark said. "The West Virginia Statistical Analysis Center has a long history of producing nationally recognized, award-winning research and analysis in the field of criminal Justice. I am looking forward to bringing my knowledge, experience, and passion for data-driven, evidence-based criminal justice reform efforts to the ORSP, and to continuing the legacy of excellence that has been established here."
Clark's career began as a correctional probation officer in the Florida Department of Corrections from 2005-2008. She then took a position at Florida State University as a research and teaching assistant at the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice from 2012 to 2015.
She was then a research associate for the National Center for State Courts and became director of the Statistical Analysis Center for the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission from 2016 to 2019. Clark briefly was a research specialist for the Arizona State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice before accepting the position as research and planning manager for Mecklenburg County.
Mike Coleman, director of the Division of Administrative Services, believes Clark's expertise will benefit West Virginia and is confident her leadership will influence positive change in the justice system.
"We are pleased to have hired Dr. Clark, and we are confident that her academic background and experience gives her the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to direct the Office of Research and Planning and to provide state leaders with scholarly research products as they seek to engage with issues within the criminal justice system," Coleman said.
Research and Strategic Planning also houses the Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center and both support the mission of Justice and Community Service to foster public safety by providing high-quality statistical information, training, technical consultation and research.