Hartford — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has signed a bill into law that attempts to give nonviolent criminals more opportunity to reintegrate into the community, with a promise to offer additional changes in the next legislative session.

The Democrat held a bill-signing ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday. He was surrounded by supporters of the legislation, including the Republican leader of the state Senate, Len Fasano.

Afterward, Malloy said he's already compiling a "series of next steps for the next legislative session." He said he's working with academics and people involved in the criminal justice and correctional systems on some new proposals.

Malloy spoke about recently visiting maximum security prison in Berlin, Germany where 25 percent of the staff focuses on helping inmates turn around their lives.