A former warden of Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown has been named Commissioner of the state Department of Correction.  Governor Malloy has tapped Scott Semple to serve in the post, and will now go through legislative confirmations. 

Semple has been Acting Commissioner of the DOC since August. 

He became warden of the high security prison in Newtown in 2009.  Garner specializes in treatment of adult male offenders with significant mental health issues.  Malloy says Semple, as a former corrections officer, is familiar with best practices and finding ways to reduce recidivism.