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 lowest recidivism rate at 17.6 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.