The Shadow
Dear Editor,
The selfless and dedicated Correctional Officers who serve all Virginians around the clock do not undertake these skilled and specialized roles because they crave recognition. If you will permit me, however, I want to take a little time to recognize and applaud these exceptional men and women.
Correctional Officers serve quietly and courageously behind the scenes. They work together constantly, throughout the entire year—often in high-risk environments—to ensure safety and order within our facilities. Their efforts protect not only their fellow corrections team members and the individuals in custody, but the safety and well-being of our communities across the Commonwealth.
This year’s Correctional Officers Week, May 4–10, carries the theme Public Safety: It’s What We Do. Quite simply, it is our job to keep you and 8.8 million other Virginians safe. I am humbled to be the Director of the safest prison system in the nation, but it is our Correctional Officers who
truly deserve the recognition for this outstanding distinction.
Virginia’s Correctional Officers do more than just maintain security—they also play a vital role in rehabilitation, helping people prepare for a fresh start and successful reintegration into society. This dedication to reentry plays a huge role in Virginia’s consistently best-in-class recidivism rating.
Their service also extends well beyond our facility walls. VADOC Correctional Officers regularly support their communities in times of need, demonstrating a powerful commitment to public service that too often goes unseen.
I am incredibly proud of the VADOC’s Correctional Officers. Their job is far from easy. Yet despite the long hours, the risks, and the challenges, they show up with purpose and professionalism—day in and day out.
Please join me in thanking these outstanding public servants.
Director Chad Dotson
