Stirling confirmed as SC Corrections director

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina’s Department of Corrections now has a permanent director.

The state Senate voted 33-0 on Wednesday to confirm Bryan Stirling for the position that he’s held under an interim status since October.

Gov. Nikki Haley picked Stirling for the post last fall when then-director Bill Byars announced his plans to retire.

At that time, Stirling had been serving as Haley’s chief of staff. He previously worked as a deputy attorney general and has undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina.