Richard Comerford Appointed Secretary of Florida Department of Corrections

NewsWK — Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Richard Comerford as the new secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), which is the third largest correctional system in the nation. Comerford takes over from Ricky Dixon, who announced his resignation effective at the end of June after serving since November 2021.

Comerford, a seasoned official with over 40 years of experience at the FDC, began his career as a correctional officer at Okaloosa Correctional Institution in 1986. He has held the position of deputy secretary since January 2022 and has progressed through various roles within the department, including supervisory and command positions.

In a statement, Comerford expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “Serving the men and women of FDC has been the honor of a lifetime… I look forward to working together with our dedicated correctional professionals to uphold public safety and strengthen resources for our staff.”

His predecessor, Dixon, praised Comerford’s capabilities, noting that his leadership had significantly contributed to the agency’s successes during Dixon’s tenure.

Comerford assumes leadership during a challenging time for Florida’s correctional system, particularly after recent budget cuts made by the governor. DeSantis vetoed a proposal that would have allocated $50 million annually for corrections capital projects over the next 40 years, including the construction of a new 600-bed corrections hospital. A recent master plan from consulting firm KPMG had recommended building one 4,800-bed prison and one 600-bed hospital by 2030.