THE WOMAN NAMED BY GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM TO RUN NEW MEXICO’S PRISON SYSTEM HAS BACKED OUT OF THE JOB. THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS THAT, IN A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, JULIE JONES SAYS SHE CANNOT ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT DUE TO UNEXPECTED PERSONAL ISSUES, WHICH SHE DIDN’T EXPLAIN.
JONES IS A FORMER CORRECTIONS SECRETARY IN FLORIDA. SHE WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN HER JOB IN NEW MEXICO ON FRIDAY. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNOR SAYS A SEARCH FOR A REPLACEMENT IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.