Governor Spanberger Launches Application for Governor’s Community Partnership Council on Corrections

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that applications for the Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections are now open - a new advisory council dedicated to advancing meaningful reforms within the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) by hearing directly from corrections officers and VADOC staff, formerly incarcerated individuals, and families across Virginia.

Governor Spanberger announced the creation of the council in June while detailing her Administration's significant reforms to increase accountability and transparency at VADOC facilities during her opening months in office. Driven by these reforms, serious assaults on staff decreased by 56 percent, confirmed overdoses decreased by 47 percent, and lockdowns at VADOC facilities decreased by 27 percent from January to May 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

"Since January, we've announced a series of reforms to strengthen community trust, support families, and make VADOC facilities safer for corrections officers, staff, and incarcerated individuals," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "The Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections represents the next phase of this work. I look forward to hearing directly from corrections officers and other public safety professionals, formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, and local communities about the additional steps we can take to improve safety and transparency within VADOC facilities."

Led by Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Stanley Meador and VADOC Director Joseph Walters, the council creates a structured forum for dialogue and action on the issues that matter most: conditions of confinement, reentry and reintegration, family engagement, staffing, and public accountability.

"The best public safety policies are informed by those who understand the challenges and the opportunities within our corrections system," said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Stanley Meador. "This council will create a structured forum for meaningful dialogue and accountability, ensuring that diverse perspectives inform the work of building a safer, stronger corrections system for the Commonwealth. We welcome qualified Virginians to apply to be part of this effort."

"I thank Governor Spanberger for her leadership and vision in establishing the Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections," said Director of Virginia Department of Corrections Joseph Walters. "I firmly believe the council provides the opportunity for meaningful dialogue that will strengthen public trust and understanding, create safer correctional environments for staff and inmates, improve reentry and community corrections services, and enhance public safety in communities all across the Commonwealth of Virginia."

Virginians interested in joining the council must submit their application through the online application webpage. The deadline for applications is Friday, September 4, 2026.

The Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections exists to:

• Elevate community-informed solutions that enhance public safety, rehabilitation, and reentry outcomes while supporting responsible fiscal management.
• Provide structured, ongoing stakeholder input on corrections policy and operations.
• Advise executive leadership on policy, programmatic, and operational improvements.
• Strengthen transparency and trust between VADOC and the public.

The council will have no more than 18 members from the following backgrounds:

• Community & Advocacy Representatives: Criminal justice reform organizations, reentry service providers, and faith-based groups working in corrections.
• Lived-Experience Voices: Formerly incarcerated individuals, family members of incarcerated individuals, corrections officers, and probation officers.
• Victim Advocacy: Victims' rights advocates and victims or family members of victims of crime.
• Corrections Leadership: Reentry leadership, community corrections leadership, facility leadership, and executive leadership. Will account for no more than 1/3 of total council membership.
• Public Safety Partners: Police chief, sheriff, or regional jail representatives.

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