New Virginia corrections director replaces 6 senior officials, leaked memo shows (copy) (copy)
At least a half dozen senior officials with the Virginia Department of Corrections have been replaced under the department’s new director, Joseph Walters, according to an internal memo obtained by The Times-Dispatch.
In the memo sent to all VADOC staff Tuesday, Walters announced a series of appointments, including interim wardens for River North Correctional Center in Grayson County and Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap.
Walters also noted a new temporary deputy director for institutions, as well as fresh administrative leadership for the department’s western, central and eastern regions.
“These appointments are necessary to maintain operational stability and leadership during this critical time,” Walters wrote. “Our work continues without interruption.”
VADOC spokesperson Kyle Gibson declined to identify the departing employees or comment on the nature of their departures. In a statement, he said all of the new appointees “possess strong institutional knowledge, demonstrated leadership capability and a deep understanding of our operational environment.”
New leadership for troubled River North, where guard was killed
Walters, in his memo, said Beth Cabell had been tapped as acting deputy director for institutions. She previously served as a regional administrator, according to a VADOC organizational chart, and was also warden of Sussex I State Prison.
Cabell will oversee three new regional administrators.
Rick White has been appointed acting administrator for institutions for VADOC’s western region, which includes 11 prisons, 14 probation and parole offices and three alternative program facilities.
Carl Manis has been appointed acting administrator for institutions for VADOC’s central district, which includes 16 prisons, 15 probation and parole offices and a secure medical facility.
And Shelton Brown has been named acting administrator for institutions for VADOC’s eastern region, which includes 10 prisons, 14 probation and parole offices and a secure medical facility. Both Manis and Brown previously served as regional administrators, the organizational chart shows.
Meanwhile, Rodney Younce will serve as acting warden of Wallens Ridge State Prison, located in the southwestern corner of the state. And Marty Bryant, TyKeshae Fowlkes and Kevin Punturi have replaced Kevin McCoy as acting wardens of the troubled River North Correctional Center.
In November, VADOC corrections officer Jeremy Hall was attacked and killed by an inmate inside River North. It was the first fatal attack on a VADOC corrections officer since 1975.
The Times-Dispatch later reported that, five months before Hall’s death, a lieutenant at the prison had written an email to senior VADOC leadership warning of dangerous conditions inside the facility and forecasting a crisis. Per a report produced for VADOC officials by an external auditor, River North’s employee vacancy rate last year was 12%.
Spanberger’s administration ushers in new leadership
Walters’ decision to clean house comes months after he was appointed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger to head VADOC.
Walters replaced Chadwick Dotson, who’d led the department since he was selected by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2023. Dotson, a former judge and commonwealth’s attorney, announced his departure in a social media post.
While leadership turnover under new gubernatorial administrations is common, it’s not certain. Former VADOC Director Harold Clarke held the role for 13 years under three administrations, including a Republican and two Democrats.
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Samuel B. Parker (804) 649-6462
