:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/RVH7KCLGQBHLZO2PFT3CI2FYU4.jpg)
Portsmouth — The superintendent of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail will retire at the end of the year, giving the facility its seventh head in about four years just as it begins a major overhaul under an agreement with federal authorities.
In a court action filed this year, the U.S. Justice Department alleged the jail had long failed to provide adequate medical and mental health care for prisoners, overused solitary confinement and failed to properly train staff.
[ Previous coverage: Feds demand sweeping change at Hampton Roads Regional Jail in rare court action ]
Col. Christopher Walz announced his retirement at a special meeting of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail board Monday, said Sharon Scott, the board’s chairwoman.
“He said this was best for his family,” Scott said.
In an email to staff Monday, Walz thanked them and said the decision didn’t come lightly and that the announcement was made with a “heavy heart.”
Today's Top Stories
“You all are an incredible team and I have enjoyed being here working with each and every one of you,” Walz wrote in the email, which was obtained by The Virginian-Pilot. “I have been in Law Enforcement for over 30 years and now it is time I focus on my family.”
Walz took on the superintendent role earlier this year, when then-superintendent David Hackworth retired.
In agreeing to the reforms demanded by federal authorities, Walz said they would make the jail “a model for treatment of inmates with mental disabilities” in Virginia.
His retirement is effective Jan. 1. Jeff Vergakis of the Newport News Sheriff’s Office will take over as the jail’s interim superintendent, Scott said.
Walz faced many challenges as a superintendent, Scott said, including the coronavirus pandemic and being short-staffed.
“He’s done a Herculean task at keeping the inmates from being exposed,” she said.
Margaret Matray, 757-222-5216, margaret.matray@pilotonline.com