Deputy director tapped to lead Utah Department of Corrections

Deputy director tapped to lead Utah Department of Corrections

(Utah Department of Corrections)


1 photo
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert has promoted Utah's deputy corrections boss to lead the state's prison and parole systems.

Mike Haddon, who was second in command for 11 years, will head the Utah Department of Corrections, Herbert announced Tuesday. In his new job, Haddon will join other state officials in overseeing the design and completion of a new, nearly $650 million prison just west of Salt Lake City.

Herbert said Haddon has worked in criminal justice for almost three decades.

"He is clearly a talented individual. Most importantly, he understands that we cannot simply warehouse inmates," Herbert said. "Instead, we need to focus on rehabilitating people and helping them lead better lives and prepare to be productive citizens."

Haddon, who has focused on creating best practices and helping offenders readjust to society after their release, said in a statement that department employees are talented and work hard.

Related story:

"Utah has a lot of critically important work ahead related to corrections, and I am confident that, together, we will move the work forward with positive results," Haddon said.

Haddon succeeds former Executive Director Rollin Cook, who stepped down in April, around the time it was revealed the department withheld medical records in a death penalty case. The department said it had misinterpreted the judge's order and announced it was changing policies after a broader review found 74 cases may have had the same error.

Haddon previously was director of research for Utah's Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Sentencing Commission.

Photos

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

KSL Weather Forecast