Virginia Department of Corrections

02/06/2026

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its corrections team and the more than 22,000 incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities across the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is particularly true as the agency implements strategies to manage summer weather conditions.

All VADOC facilities constructed since 1990 had air conditioning integrated into their design and construction. However, VADOC facilities constructed before 1990 did not include air conditioning in their original design and construction. The VADOC continues to explore the use of temporary portable air conditioning units in these older facilities, along with working to install additional long-term and permanent solutions.

As the summer months begin, VADOC will implement additional steps to ensure that correctional facilities without air conditioning are provided with ample heat mitigation resources, including:

1. The installation of fans
2. Providing extra ice and water pouches
3. Adjustments to scheduling and the location of some activities
4. Misting fans in some VADOC facilities
5. Smoke exhaust fans in some facilities to increase airflow

Correction team members will conduct temperature checks multiple times per day to ensure all VADOC facilities stay within safe ranges and that all heat mitigation equipment is functioning properly and will continue to follow American Correctional Association (ACA) standards for heat mitigation and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on ice handling and distribution.

02/06/2026

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Headquarters looked very green today, thanks to the Spring Plant Sale.

The sale featured plants from the horticulture programs of State Farm Correctional Center, Nottoway Correctional Center, Lunenberg Correctional Center, Deerfield Correctional Center, Greensville Correctional Center, and Virginia Correctional Center for Women. All proceeds directly support these Career and Technical Education programs at these six facilities.

"The plant sale at Headquarters was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the incredible work and dedication of students participating in educational and vocational programs across several correctional facilities," said Urmila Paruchi of the VADOC's Health Information Technology team, who got in line 10 minutes before the plant sale opened. "It was great to see so much support for the event, which made it even more meaningful."

Thank you to the event organizers, the horticulture students who grew these plants, and everyone who supported these reentry programs.

02/06/2026

June called. It said your next career move is waiting at one of our hiring events.

The Virginia Department of Corrections is hosting multiple hiring events across Virginia this month, and we hope to see you there.

More info can be found here: https://vadoc.virginia.gov/career-opportunities/

01/06/2026

Beaumont Correctional Center proudly supported the GoochlandCares Annual Community Food Drive, collecting over 306 pounds of food to help tackle food insecurity in the region.

The goal for GoochlandCares was to collect 45,000 pounds of food during this year's spring campaign. The Food Pantry serves hundreds of families each week, providing essential groceries to vulnerable members of the community, including hundreds of children.

We thank Beaumont Correctional Center for participating and serving the community.

01/06/2026

Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Joseph W. Walters today announced the selection of Gene Beasley as the Department’s next Deputy Director for Institutions following a nationwide executive search.

Beasley brings more than 30 years of correctional and public safety leadership experience to the role. This includes a distinguished career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he rose through the ranks from Correctional Officer to Deputy Director, the second-highest leadership position in the agency. Since moving to Virginia in 2024, Beasley has served as Director of Adult Detention for the City of Danville.

Beasley has led complex correctional operations at the institutional, regional, and national levels during his correctional career. His experience includes service in the Federal Bureau of Prisons as Western Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, Complex Warden, Associate Warden, Regional Human Resource Administrator, and numerous other leadership roles. His career reflects a deep commitment to public safety, operational excellence, workforce development, and professional corrections.

As Deputy Director for Institutions, Beasley will serve as a member of the Director’s senior leadership team and provide executive leadership for the Department’s 38 correctional facilities and thousands of correctional professionals across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Mr. Beasley emerged from a highly competitive national search as the clear choice to serve as the next Deputy Director for Institutions," said Director Walters. “His significant experience as a leader in corrections — serving as a Correctional Officer to Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons — provides an extraordinary depth of knowledge of correctional operations and effective reentry practices. I am pleased Mr. Beasley will be joining the agency, and I am confident he will enhance the operations of Virginia's correctional facilities, support our dedicated correctional employees, and advance our mission of providing long-term and lasting public safety.”

Beasley joins the Department as VADOC continues its focus on public safety, operational excellence, workforce development, and the advancement of modern correctional practices. The VADOC is a nationally recognized leader in corrections, and Beasley will be responsible for ensuring safe and secure correctional facilities, preparing incarcerated individuals for successful reentry, and fostering a culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, integrity, and service.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve in this role and join an organization with such a strong reputation for correctional excellence,” said Beasley. “I look forward to working alongside Director Walters and the dedicated employees of the Virginia Department of Corrections to enhance public safety across the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Beasley will assume his duties as Deputy Director for Institutions on June 25, 2026.

01/06/2026

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) took time this Memorial Day to remember those who served and gave their lives serving in the United States military. Facilities throughout Virginia held different events to honor corrections team members who served. Also, incarcerated individuals who served in the U.S. armed forces were recognized for their service.

“The VADOC was proud to honor the military service members who died in active service during memorial events held at agency facilities and units across the Commonwealth of Virginia this Memorial Day,” said VADOC Director Joseph W. Walters. “We honor and remember the individuals who made this ultimate sacrifice, and we will never forget the price they paid to preserve the freedoms we hold dear."

On Friday, May 22, Director Walters and Virginia Department of Veterans Services Commissioner John Maxwell spoke at a memorial service at Lawrenceville Correctional Center, paying their respects to those who served.

More information can be found here: https://vadoc.virginia.gov/news-press-releases/2026/vadoc-honors-those-who-served-for-memorial-day/

31/05/2026

In Case You Missed It: Officer Woody Remias of District 31, Chesapeake, Probation & Parole, believes that a well-tuned moral and ethical compass can help guide folks to long-term success. His favorite part about working at our agency is the collaboration between different people and agencies.

31/05/2026

Cold Springs Correctional Unit and Cold Springs CCAP partnered with Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) to host a successful trades career exploration event.

80 reentry candidates preparing for release participated, working directly with Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A) and heavy equipment instructors. Attendees also utilized BRCC trade simulators for risk-free skill development.

The event provided a safe, realistic training environment to enhance the vocational readiness of inmates and probationers. We appreciate the dedication of our staff and BRCC instructors in delivering this high-impact programming.

30/05/2026

VADOC in the Community

District 13, Lynchburg Probation and Parole planted vegetables in the annual United Way Day of Caring.

Corrections team members planted these vegetables in raised beds at The Arc of Central Virginia, which provides inclusive activities to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Thank you, District 13, for this work in the community.

30/05/2026

The Virginia Department of Corrections stands with our public safety partners at the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office during this sad time.

We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Logan Utt and the family and friends of the deputy wounded in this tragic incident.

We strongly encourage anyone with information about this individual to contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office or Virginia State Police (VSP).

Please see important case information below from VSP.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At approximately 9:26 p.m., the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a request from a family member to conduct a welfare check at 13658 Fancy Gap Highway.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the residence. Upon arrival, two deputies made contact with a male subject identified as Michael Puckett. During the encounter, Puckett opened fire on the responding deputies. Deputies returned fire.

Both deputies were struck by gunfire. One deputy sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. The second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest and is currently receiving medical evaluation and is reported to be in stable condition.

Michael Puckett fled the scene and remains at large. A coordinated law enforcement search is currently underway.

Puckett should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone who sees him or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to immediately call 911.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Sheriff Kevin A. Kemp