Governor Spanberger Announces Appointments to Governor’s Community Partnership Council on Corrections

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced appointments to the Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections - an advisory council established by the Governor to strengthen safety, accountability, and transparency across the Commonwealth's corrections system.

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, use-of-force incidents decreased by 39 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.

"I am committed to continuing the progress we've made in improving conditions and increasing transparency within our correctional facilities," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "Achieving meaningful, lasting reform requires listening to the officers and staff who work in our facilities, families impacted by incarceration, and victims' advocates. By bringing these Virginians to the table, we can identify practical solutions that make our facilities safer, increase accountability, and strengthen public safety across Virginia."

The Council's membership reflects a broad cross-section of perspectives, including community and advocacy organizations, individuals with lived experience, victims' advocates, corrections leadership, public safety partners, and members of the public. More than 160 Virginians applied to serve, underscoring the importance of this work and the interest in helping shape the future of corrections across the Commonwealth.

"Receiving more than 160 applications for this council sends a clear message: Virginians care about our corrections system and want to contribute to its improvement," said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Stanley M. Meador. "That level of interest brings both an opportunity and a responsibility to make this council's work meaningful. I look forward to hearing candid feedback, examining challenges from different perspectives, and identifying practical steps that can improve how we operate and serve the Commonwealth."

The Council will provide an ongoing forum for dialogue and input on corrections policies, operations, and safety, with the goal of identifying practical opportunities to improve outcomes and strengthen public safety. Yesterday, the Council convened for its first meeting.

"I firmly believe this Council provides the opportunity for honest conversations that will lead to safer correctional environments for staff and incarcerated individuals, improve reentry and community corrections services, and enhance public safety in communities all across the Commonwealth of Virginia," said Virginia Department of Corrections Director Joseph W. Walters. "I'm grateful to everyone committing their time and expertise to this effort and I'm confident that their perspectives will help us build a safer, more transparent, and more accountable corrections system for Virginia."

The Governor's Community Partnership Council on Corrections includes the following members:

• Amanda Lynch of Richmond, Educational Programs Coordinator, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
• David Anderson of Marion, Lead Warden, Virginia Department of Corrections
• Derwin Overton of Bristow, Executive Director, OAR of Fairfax County, Inc.
• David Gonzalez of Harrisonburg, Food Service Worker, Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Elyssa Long of Lunenburg, Case Management Director, Crossroads Community Services Board
• Hannah Miller of York, Correctional Registered Nurse-Telehealth & MAT Services, ANPCare
• Jamii Wood of Richmond, Statewide Reentry Specialist, Virginia Department of Corrections
• JaNell Jones of Chesterfield, Co-founder/Doctoral Student, Both Sidez of the Glass / Virginia Commonwealth University
• Juan Gelabert of Fairfax, Chief Deputy, Arlington County Sheriff's Office
• Lisa Hicks of Chesapeake, Director of Victim Services, Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney
• Morgan Cave of Madison, CPS Consultant, Northern Region, Virginia Department of Social Services
• Nicole Jewell of Hanover, Director of Mission Impact, Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia
• Samuel Harris of Suffolk, Disabled Veteran, RRA & SEH Consulting
• Scharnelle Moton of Surry, Homicide Support Group Coordinator, Virginia Victim Assistance Network
• Shante Thweatt of Chester, Chief Probation Officer, Virginia Department of Corrections
• Verlina Saunders Lassiter of Chesterfield, Sr. Reinsurance Auditor, GE Aerospace
• Wayne Handley of Rockbridge, Superintendent, Rockbridge Regional Jail
• Dr. Zoe Spencer Harris of Petersburg, Retired Professor/Adjunct Professor, Virginia State University/Howard University

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