Spanberger announces appointment of VADOC chief deputy director
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced the appointment of the new chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), effective Tuesday.
The VADOC announced in a press release on Thursday, Feb. 5, that Jermiah "Jerry" Fitz has been serving as the next chief deputy director of the department as of Tuesday, Feb. 3.
“I want to thank Governor Spanberger for the chance to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and work alongside Director Walters as we move the agency forward,” Fitz said. “The field of corrections sees both the best times and the most challenging times for the people we encounter. Long-lasting public safety depends upon our agency doing the right things for the right reasons.”
Jermiah "Jerry" Fitz Headshot (Photo Courtesy of Virginia Department of Corrections)
In a round of appointments ahead of her inauguration, Spanberger announced on Jan. 16 that Joseph Walters would serve as the new director for the VADOC under her administration.
The announcement came after the department faced multiple controversies under outgoing director Chadwick Dotson, who was appointed to the role in 2023 by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).
According to a release, Fitz brings nearly 30 years of experience in corrections and public safety to the role and served in multiple leadership positions throughout the agency.
The department said that Fitz began his career at District No. 14 in Danville in 1997 as a Surveillance Officer. He later became the Chief Probation Officer in Chesterfield County in 2013, and later in Henrico County.
Fitz led VADOC’s Central Region as Regional Administrator for Community Corrections and later the Eastern Region as Regional Administrator for Institutions.
“I offer my sincere congratulations to Chief Deputy Director Fitz on his appointment, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to work with him to advance our public safety mission.” Director Walters said.
