About Us"
About
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is the largest state agency with more than 11,000 employees across the Commonwealth. We operate secure facilities and probation and parole offices to provide care and supervision for inmates under state custody.
Virginia currently has the nation's second-lowest recidivism rate at 20.6 percent.
Mission
We ensure public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based re-entry services.
Vision
A premier correctional organization working to secure a safer Virginia.
Values
Safety: We are committed to the safety and security of all individuals. We proactively work to create a safe and secure work environment by protecting each other, our communities, and our reputation.
Integrity: We behave with high standards of personal and professional conduct. We are trustworthy, fair, and honest. We are ethical at all times.
Accountability: We hold ourselves and each other accountable for our actions, decisions, and consequences.
Respect: We appreciate the differences and the dignity of individuals. We value others’ points of view. We accept people as they are. We are polite, courteous, and empathetic.
Learning: We are best-in-class because of our commitment to personal and professional growth, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practices.
Service: We serve by encouraging all individuals to become the best versions of themselves with humility, unity, passion, commitment, and thankfulness.
Executive Staff
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Joseph Walters, Director
Joseph W. Walters was appointed to serve as the 11th Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections on January 17, 2026, by Governor Abigail Spanberger. Director Walters formerly served as Senior Deputy Director for the Virginia Department of Corrections, leading the agency’s administrative, law enforcement, and support services.
Walters began his public safety career as a local law enforcement officer in Martinsville, Virginia, in 1992. In 1993, he joined the Virginia State Police as a State Trooper, rising to the rank of Captain and Human Resource Director. Noteworthy assignments with the Virginia State Police included serving as Staff Assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Field Operations, Special Agent-in-Charge of General Investigations in the Appomattox Field Office, Assistant Director of Information Technology and Planning, and a Legislative Liaison.
In 2015, Walters joined the Virginia Department of Corrections to serve as Human Resource Director, and in 2018, he was promoted to Deputy Director for Administration. This included managing human resources, finance, information technology, compliance and accreditation, health services, infrastructure and environmental management, agribusiness, and other support services. In 2024, he was appointed to also serve as the agency’s chief law enforcement officer, and he became Senior Deputy Director in 2025.
Walters earned his B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Averett College, and his Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s National Criminal Justice Command College, the National Institute of Corrections’ Executive Excellence Program, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Commonwealth Leadership Academy, and Virginia Executive Institute. Walters is currently completing his PhD in Public Administration through Liberty University.
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Jermiah (Jerry) Fitz, Chief Deputy Director
Chief Deputy Director Jermiah “Jerry” Fitz was appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to serve as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections. Prior to this appointment, Chief Deputy Director Fitz served as Deputy Director for Community Corrections, leading the agency’s Probation and Parole Districts, Community Corrections Alternative Programs, Biometric, Warrant, and Sex Offender monitoring units. Fitz began his public safety career in 1997 as a Surveillance Officer with Danville Probation and Parole. Over the course of his career, he has served in progressively responsible roles including Probation Officer, Senior Probation Officer, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, and Chief Probation Officer. He also served as Regional Administrator for Community Corrections in the Central Region. In 2019, he transitioned to the role of Corrections Operations Administrator and Legislative Liaison. In 2023, he assumed the role of Regional Administrator for Institutions in the Eastern Region for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Fitz earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University in 1997.
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Carl Backett, Deputy Director for Professional Standards
Beckett started his more than 30-year career in public safety in 1994 as a United States probation & parole officer in the Eastern District of New York, where he supervised a violent offender caseload. After five years, he transitioned to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a special agent.
During his 30-year federal career, Beckett served in numerous domestic and international assignments, including New Jersey, California, Washington, D.C., Colombia, Peru, and El Salvador. He held senior leadership roles such as resident agent in charge, assistant special agent in charge, liaison to the Department of Justice, section chief for domestic operations, deputy director, and diplomatic representative for the United States. Beckett led complex, multi-agency operations worldwide, overseeing international money laundering investigations, special technical interception units, and airport and maritime interdiction teams. His leadership supported hundreds of investigations, strengthened international law enforcement partnerships, and contributed to the disruption of transnational criminal organizations.
In 2024, Beckett was employed as the Chief of OLES. As OLES Chief, he has modernized and expanded the department’s intelligence capabilities, implementing advanced technologies and structured analytical workflows that have enhanced statewide investigative support, interagency collaboration, and operational effectiveness.
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Lucinda Childs-White, Deputy Director for Administration
Childs-White began her career with the VADOC in 2011 after spending 22 years at the University of Virginia in human resources leadership roles. She served as a Human Resources Officer at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women and Human Resources Manager Senior over recruitment, staffing, and compensation at VADOC Headquarters before being named Chief Human Resource Officer in 2019.
Childs-White is certified as a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources through the Society for Human Resource Management, a Jon Gordon Certified Positive Leader, and has completed Virginia Commonwealth University’s Commonwealth Management Institute and Virginia Executive Institute programs. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from St. Paul’s College and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Averett University.
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Marcus Elam, Deputy Director for Community Corrections
Elam began his career with the VADOC in 1993 as a volunteer Probation & Parole Officer in District 6, Suffolk, then was promoted to Probation & Parole Officer at District 30 Hampton the following year. He then advanced through a range of leadership roles, including Senior Probation Officer at Southampton Intensive Treatment Center, Treatment Program Supervisor at Indian Creek Correctional Center, Deputy Chief and Chief Probation & Parole Officer at District 31, Chesapeake, and District 3, Portsmouth, Regional Administrator in the Eastern Region for Community Corrections, and Regional Administrator for Institutions across all three VADOC regions.
In 2023, Elam became the agency’s Corrections Operations Administrator and Legislative Liaison, overseeing several statewide corrections initiatives and serving as the primary liaison and contact for members of the Virginia General Assembly.
Elam has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Pfeiffer University.
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Scott Richeson, Deputy Director of Programs, Education, and Re-entry
Scott Richeson directs the VADOC’s business practices regarding inmate programming and re-entry services that reduce recidivism. This includes substance abuse, education, mental health, victim services, and core correctional practices. She has more than 35 years of experience in the corrections field with a background in community corrections and prisons. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and Public Safety and a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.
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Steve Herrick, Deputy Director of Health Services
Steve Herrick is a psychologist and the Deputy Director of Health Services for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Dr. Herrick is responsible for the administrative management of the Health Services needs of approximately 26,000 inmates housed in over 40 facilities, with an annual budget of $270 million and approximately 1,200 healthcare staff including contract staff. Dr. Herrick received his Doctorate in Psychology at VCU. He is also a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and holds a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration. In his last position, he was the Director of Piedmont Geriatric Hospital, a state psychiatric hospital in Burkeville, VA. He joined the VADOC after serving 20 years with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and has been with VADOC for nearly 10 years.