--- title: Governor Spanberger Appoints Members to Community Partnership Council on Corrections canonical: https://thevirginiafeed.com/governor-spanberger-appoints-members-to-community-partnership-council-on-corrections/ published: '2026-11-12T03:03:03-05:00' updated: '2026-11-12T03:03:03-05:00' author: VirginiaFeed Staff section: Governor places: - Arlington County - Fairfax County tags: - Governor - Public Safety - Prisons - Appointments - Colleges - Crime source: Office of the Governor of Virginia source_url: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/november-releases/name-1128119-en.html publisher: VirginiaFeed attribution: Copyright VirginiaFeed. Quote with credit to VirginiaFeed and a link to the canonical URL above. --- # Governor Spanberger Appoints Members to Community Partnership Council on Corrections On November 6, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the appointments to the Governor’s Community Partnership Council on Corrections. The council aims to enhance safety, accountability, and transparency within Virginia's corrections system. The council's membership includes a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds, reflecting community and advocacy organizations, corrections leadership, and public safety partners. More than 160 Virginians applied to serve on the council. --- ### Press Release: Office of the Governor of Virginia *Published November 6, 2026. Reproduced in full from the [Office of the Governor of Virginia](https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/november-releases/name-1128119-en.html).* #### Governor Spanberger Announces Appointments to Governor’s Community Partnership Council on Corrections *Advisory Council Will Focus on Strengthening Safety, Accountability, & Transparency Within VADOC Facilities* **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](https://r5siqu4ab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zlKc6g_BICenG-Zuhw3yXTo14rLvD-DJtDckdd_xfrkcVWx3psAznwvmJo5h0uhUWSAQgrCjqLYNK7sMCf2bxM6NUCvYEq7xtxiVti44n5JWfc1QcoFF9hzuLuGrLWh5VoL1-yx38WvqgyksOgBy5U9h2bazKVZzKN4TIo4m18m5yQY9tNUdw5vLcTVPgF24C0ZvXhZ-ptJL98ckmbZuLr75r_xGnxs0sjwrrpe_O79nZiSzQ46yo4-5FeKVFKJPBPl8Z4Clwu4=&c=eRDuPxOjMWt4iTG2sX1nv1uNC6PN4yV3pkWTGpFDO23_Cnym4KNFsQ==&ch=nXLoZK4qSOREKx862zBF9NXvegZYaemmrEXA5DJLB0R4bZHU3Lht4g==) the creation of the council in June while detailing her Administration’s [significant reforms](https://r5siqu4ab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-TdFQQ4-nE00mw7a483lNUPrOvkYUDaQdJib_T8IYnbtj0OMTLIO5fqt5J8GrQr9u6-LG1uwt4juiIJFtfBWQcNfIS4F1Y1JFJgLJIcwB8a3WaWUNbo3NE7Bb6DxZt-FdQv2EHhCKvjkFyjOV9yvoe0j6slaB4wmE7Qk2mgZyVSueDJZtskVTIOqAsAD_m0iPsJvEdGobWs6tv5NhCUlJbaY5WusAkw57RQV3IK1qAZQ5cK3RtVaFJDx2ot6mcsARjFJ_i8Q1Ex9lRiA_AaXLseEMOz9O7al1gFnd-lhaGc=&c=CKgNchr6Sd5AJh4RIZqTZdfYY9P9k8fiFeHH3DZ9wpbPtjocyw141g==&ch=Q9CVHXTSHV2G-IsKgRedW0mtKqcqq6KoFYtiw6JbB4S1KpoRDYo9tg==) 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 Source: [Office of the Governor of Virginia](https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/november-releases/name-1128119-en.html)