Gov. Maura Healey decided Friday to drop the “interim” title of Shawn Jenkins as leader of the state Department of Corrections.

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

Touting his “wealth of experience in correctional management” and his “forward vision,” Healey’s office said Friday that the governor had named Jenkins the department’s permanent commissioner.

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

Healey’s office described several accomplishments during Jenkins’ interim tenure, including launching a safety and security review at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center after several violent incidentsa stronger partnership with the Password Board and expanded re-entry programming for women incarcerated at MCI-Framingham.

The department was in a period of transition, close MCI-Concord and a minimum security prison in Bridgewater during a period of declining inmate populations.

Before Jenkins became acting commissioner, he served as the department’s chief of staff 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 advocates, including state Sens. Jamie Eldridge and Liz Miranda, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez and UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau.