Gov. Healey names Shawn Jenkins as state Department of Correction commissioner

Gov. Maura Healey moved Friday to drop the "interim" from Shawn Jenkins's title as leader of the state Department of Correction.

Jenkins has served as interim commissioner since March, succeeding Carol Mici after she retired.

Praising his "wealth of experience in correctional management" and "forward-looking vision," Healey's office said Friday the governor had named Jenkins as the department's permanent commissioner.

"Shawn Jenkins has demonstrated exceptional dedication to creating safe, secure environments while advancing innovative, rehabilitative solutions across DOC's correctional facilities," Healey said in a statement. "With his extensive experience and strategic approach, Commissioner Jenkins is well-equipped to shape the DOC's future, where evidence-based practices will continue to promote safety and support positive outcomes for incarcerated individuals and staff alike."

Healey's office described several accomplishments during Jenkins's interim tenure, including the launch of a safety and security review at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center following multiple violent incidents, a stronger partnership with the Parole Board, and expanded reentry programming for women incarcerated at MCI-Framingham.

The department has been in a period of transition, closing MCI-Concord and a minimum-security prison in Bridgewater during a stretch of declining inmate populations.

Before Jenkins became interim commissioner, he worked as chief of staff for the department and as a special sheriff in both Middlesex and Worcester counties.

Healey's office announced Jenkins' appointment with statements of support from several criminal justice reform supporters including state Sens. Jamie Eldridge and Liz Miranda, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez and UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau.