Prisoner Review Board nominees stress statutory limits, victims' rights and reentry planning

Greg Smith and Victor Braden, appearing before a Kansas Senate committee on June 30 as nominees to the newly constituted Prisoner Review Board, emphasized following statutory duties, protecting victims' rights and developing reentry programs.

Greg Smith, introduced himself as a lifelong Kansan with law-enforcement and legislative experience and described his work with the Kelsey Smith Foundation advocating for victims. He told the committee that the board must be "balanced, objective and follow statutory guidelines," and said the board should weigh empirical data, public safety and victims' rights when issuing recommendations.

On procedural authority, Smith said the Prisoner Review Board conducts reviews that are advisory: "they have 120 days to complete a review and give a recommendation to the governor. It's a non-binding recommendation," he said. Smith also said many inmates eventually return to the community and stressed the importance of programs to reduce recidivism: "Out of those 90%, about 30% are going to reoffend," he told the committee (figures presented as his statement).

Victor Braden described nearly 39 years of military service and subsequent prosecutorial experience, including handling homicide and death-penalty cases. Braden said his background shaped his approach to prioritizing statutorily required tasks first while planning longer-term structure for the board: "you have to focus on those things that only you can do based on your position. Everything else somebody else can do," he said.

Committee members asked nominees how they would balance personal experience with statutory obligations. Smith replied that personal feelings must be set aside and that members should follow statutes and risk assessments. The committee advanced both nominees to serve until the full Senate votes on final confirmation.

Next steps: Both nominees will be considered by the full Senate for confirmation.