SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The head of Utah’s Department of Corrections is stepping down after five years in office.
The agency announced Executive Director Rollin Cook’s resignation in a news release Wednesday. Cook says in a statement that he’s leaving the governmental position to explore other types of work and spend more time with his family after working a total of 29 years working for state and county governments.
The governor’s office noted in a press release that he pushed for pay increases and directed policy reforms while in office.
Cook’s tenure also overlapped with efforts to create a new state prison 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City International Airport. The $650 million prison is expected to begin housing inmates in 2021.
Gov. Gary Herbert will appoint a temporary replacement in the coming weeks.
Cook’s departure will be effective May 15.
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