BOSTON, MA – Representative John Keenan (D-Salem) issued the following statement in reaction to today’s 7-0 vote by the Governor’s Council to confirm Salem resident Pamela Lombardini’s appointment to the state Parole Board.

“I am extremely pleased to hear that the Council has approved Ms. Lombardini’s nomination”, said Rep. Keenan, a former prosecutor and member of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, who had testified in support of Ms. Lombardini’s confirmation at a recent Council hearing.  “As evidenced by the unanimous vote, Pam is eminently qualified for this position and will do a wonderful job on the Parole Board.  It’s a great day for Pam and for the Commonwealth.”

Lombardini had been nominated in earlier this autumn to the one vacant seat on the state board responsible for considering and voting on parole applications in Massachusetts.  She holds a degree in Psychology and worked for several years in the mental health field before becoming a state and then federal probation officer.  Her professional experience includes terms on the U.S. Probation office’s presentence unit and sentencing commission.

“Clearly Ms. Lombardini’s background in post-release supervision and policy, as well as her training and work in psychology and mental health, make her uniquely suited to bring an informed perspective to the board’s deliberations,” said Rep. Keenan.