Scott Semple, a former state prison guard and warden who rose through the administrative ranks to become acting Connecticut corrections chief, is the governor’s nominee to do the job permanently, authorities say.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday he has chosen Semple to fill the commissioner vacancy left by the retirement last August of James E. Dzurenda. State lawmakers must confirm Semple for the post.
“Scott has extensive experience and knowledge of the inner workings of the Connecticut Department of Correction, including a number of years serving as a frontline correction officer, gaining a broad familiarity on best practices in handling offenders and finding ways to reduce recidivism,” Malloy said in a statement. “In particular, it should be noted that he has been heavily involved with enhancing the model of supervision and treatment for the mental health population. He is very well respected among his colleagues, and I am proud to nominate him as the agency’s permanent commissioner.”
A Watertown resident, Semple, 52, began in 1988 as a frontline correction officer at the high-security Cheshire Correctional Institution in Cheshire.
“The State of Connecticut has made great strides in helping offenders successfully reintegrate into society and become productive citizens,’’ Semple said in the statement. “I am eager to work with the governor, legislators and all stakeholders to continue to build on our progress.”
In 2009, he was named warden at Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown, which oversees treatment for adult male offenders with significant mental health issues.
Semple was promoted in 2013 to deputy commissioner of operations and rehabilitative services.
