Governor Ted Strickland has appointed Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Slagle to serve as a member of the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission.

Earlier this year, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association recommended to the Governor that Slagle be appointed to serve as one of two county prosecutor representatives on the Commission. On Friday Slagle received official notification of the Governor’s appointment.

The Sentencing Commission, which is chaired by Chief Justice Thomas Moyer of the Ohio Supreme Court, was established by the Ohio Legislature to study Ohio’s criminal sentencing laws and make recommendations to the Ohio Legislature. The Commission meets monthly. All members of the Commission serve without additional compensation.

“I look forward to serving with Chief Justice Moyer and the other members of the Sentencing Commission. It is important that those of us who are experienced in criminal justice issues share our experience and work together to continue to strengthen our laws,” Slagle stated. “With Ohio’s prison population now exceeding 50,000 inmates we face critical challenges to make sure that we are able to incarcerate those who pose the greatest danger to our communities.”

Slagle, who formerly served as President of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, also serves on Ohio Community Corrections Advisory Board and as a Trustee for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.

Slagle is currently serving his sixth term as Prosecuting Attorney for Marion County.