(NEW HAVEN, CT) – Governor-Elect Ned Lamont today announced he is nominating Rollin Cook as Commissioner of the Department of Correction (DOC). Cook most recently served as the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Corrections under Governor Gary Herbert.
“Rollin Cook is a national expert and a leader in his field, and brings to this role experience as both a correctional officer and as an executive manager,” said Lamont. “His focus on criminal justice reform – and in particular, rehabilitation and reentry – align with the policies I outlined during my campaign. Rollin has proven himself to be a partner with reform advocates, the law enforcement community, and correctional officers alike. That kind of collaboration is necessary for Connecticut to continue to be a leader in this area.”
“Connecticut has been a leader in the field of criminal justice reform and I look forward to continuing that important work in this new role,” said Cook. “Throughout my career, I’ve been able to bring all sides to the table and forge consensus, and that will be my approach in this new role, as well. I look forward to holding early and frequent conversations with formerly incarcerated people and members of the communities most heavily impacted by mass incarceration.”
Rollin Cook began his career as a Correctional Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain in the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. After nearly 16 years, he was promoted to the office’s Chief Deputy. From 2013-2018, Cook served as the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Corrections where he led day-to-day operations for twelve divisions, 2,200 employees, more than 7,000 inmates, more than 15,000 offenders and the operations of five community corrections centers and two state correctional facilities. In that role, he reorganized and improved medical and mental health services, focused on inmate job and career development and helped to improve public safety through criminal justice reform.
Cook will begin serving as the Commissioner-designate when the Governor-elect is inaugurated on January 9. His nomination will be sent to the General Assembly for its advice and consent.