Haddon has been a deputy director for 11 years, including five years under Rollin Cook, who announced his resignation in April and stepped down May 14. Haddon has been running the department since then.
As director, the 49-year-old Haddon oversees about 2,200 employees, 6,500 inmates and 17,500 individuals on probation or parole.
“The Utah Department of Corrections works hard each day to keep the public safe and help offenders successfully reintegrate back into society," Haddon said in a prepared statement. "Much of this success can be credited to our talented and dedicated staff, and I am honored to serve alongside them.