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For Release: April 3, 2003- Contact: Larry Traylor, (804) 674-3574

DOC Appoints New Wardens at Brunswick Correctional Center and Southampton Correctional Center

RICHMOND – Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Gene Johnson announced today the appointment of H. Randolph Powell as Warden of Brunswick Correctional Center in Brunswick County and James V. Beale as Warden of Southampton Correctional Center in Southampton County.

H. Randolph Powell began his career with the DOC as a Correctional Officer in 1961 after serving in the US Air Force as a Security Police Officer.  During his 42 years with the DOC, he has served in numerous capacities including the position of Chief of Security and Assistant Warden at several prison facilities.  Powell was promoted to Warden in 1994 and assigned the task of opening the new Deerfield Correctional Center.   For the last five years he has been Warden at Southampton Correctional Center and Southampton Reception and Classification Center.  He Received a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University in 1982.

James V. Beale began his career as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Suffolk.  During his tenure with the DOC, he has worked as a counselor, Director of Work Release at Southampton Correctional Center, and Associate Warden at Southampton Correctional Center and Greensville Correctional Center.  Beale was appointed Warden of St. Brides Correctional Center in 1998.  Since 1999, he has held the position of Warden at Deerfield Correctional Center.  Beale is a graduate of the University of Virginia.  He is married and has three children.

Powell replaces Ed Wright who is leaving state service to assume the position of Warden with Wackenhut Corrections Corporation at Lawrenceville Correctional Center.

Beale will assume the position of Warden at Southampton Correctional Center while continuing to hold his position at Deerfield.

 “We wish Ed Wright well in his new endeavor,” said Director Johnson.  “We are indeed fortunate to have the capable talent and experience of Wardens Powell and Beale available to continue to move this Department forward without missing a beat.”