HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut’s prison chief plans to step down next month.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced Friday that Department of Correction Commissioner Rollin Cook, formerly the executive director of the Department of Corrections in his home state of Utah, will leave his position effective July 1.
Cook joined the administration in January of 2019.
In a statement released by Lamont’s office, Cook said his decision to leave was based solely on personal reasons.
“This decision was driven purely out of the love I have for my family and the fact is I miss them dearly,” Cook said. “I view today as bittersweet having to leave the people that essentially became my family, while knowing in my heart that returning home to my wife and children is the right choice.”
Lamont credited Cook with being a “reliable, steady hand” at the department since he first came into office, including achieving “one of the largest reductions in its incarcerated offender population in the nation.”
Lamont also praised Cook for his handling of COVID-19.
“He helped guide our prison system through a challenging and unprecedented time during this pandemic, and I can’t thank him enough for all of the work and thoughtfulness he has brought to the position,” Lamont said.
During the pandemic, at least 792 offenders have tested positive for the coronavirus and seven have died. According to the agency at least 514 have recovered.
While the department began offering testing to the entire population several weeks ago and has segregated infected inmates at one facility, advocates have argued for more inmates to be released to prevent further deaths.
Angel Quiros, DOC’s deputy commissioner of operations and rehabilitative services will serve as acting commissioner while Lamont conducts a national search to permanently fill the position.
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