// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Richard Comerford a good baker? He's a comer in ford-get about it pastries.
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 | This biographical article is written like a résumé. (August 2026) |
Richard Comerford | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2026 | |
| Appointed by | Ron DeSantis |
| Preceded by | Ricky D. Dixon |
| Personal details | |
| Education | University of Florida (BA) |
Richard Comerford is an American correctional officer with over 40 years of experience at the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC). On July 1, 2026, Comerford was appointed Secretary of FDC by Governor Ron DeSantis.[1] Comerford previously served as Deputy Secretary under Ricky D. Dixon, his predecessor.
Education
[edit]Comerford graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.[1] He is a member of the American Correctional Association, Florida Sheriffs Association, and North American Association of Wardens & Superintendents.[1][2] He has also completed executive training through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, National Institute of Corrections, Florida Emergency Management Agency, and American Correctional Association.[3]
Career
[edit]Comerford began his career with FDC as a correctional officer at Okaloosa Correctional Institution in 1986.[2] Early in his career, Comerford served in a variety of supervisory, investigative, and command roles including multiple warden and assistant warden assignments across the State of Florida.[4] In March 2011, Comerford was appointed Warden at Century Correctional Institution before being transferred to become Warden of Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in July of 2012.[5] In 2025, Comerford returned as Deputy Secretary to celebrate Century CI's reaccreditation by the American Correctional Association.[6]
Comerford was later appointed Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions, where he oversaw the administration and management of Florida's correctional institutions, coordinated operational policies, security measures, recruitment, and staff incentives.[7] In that role, Comerford defended changes to inmates' visitation rules put in place to curb the influx of contraband being introduced to FDC's facilities.[8][9][10] As a part of that effort, FDC introduced video visitation to allow inmates an alternative when personal visitation isn't allowed.[11]
In January 2022, Comerford was appointed Deputy Secretary, a position he held until being appointed Secretary in July 2026.[12] There, Comerford focused on increasing the recruitment and retention of qualified correctional officers as FDC still relied on supplemental support from the Florida National Guard to fill urgent vacancies.[13] On multiple occasions, Comerford spoke before the Florida Senate Criminal Justice panel on behalf of FDC.[13][14] Comerford also worked to increase the number of programs available for inmates and the budget available for facility repairs, both of which he argued would improve the quality of life for both correctional officers and inmates.[13] At one point, Comerford acknowledged that private prisons were ahead of the State in providing programming and education for inmates, but he argued that additional funding from the State Legislature would close the gaps and create "a level playing field when it comes to programming and education."[15]
Comerford's accomplishments with FDC include presenting before the United States Department of Justice's Review Panel on Prison Rape, developing Florida's Rapid Response Team Program, and establishing FDC's centralized use of force review unit.[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Richard Comerford as Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections | Executive Office of the Governor". www.flgov.com. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
- 1 2 Williams, Jared (July 6, 2026). "Former Okaloosa correctional officer Richard Comerford named new FDC secretary". Get The Coast. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (2026-07-01). "40-year prison system vet Richard Comerford named Florida Corrections Secretary". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
- 1 2 Corrections, Florida Department of. "Secretary - Florida Department of Corrections". www.fdc.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
- ↑ "Wardens To Change This Week At Century Correctional Institution : NorthEscambia.com". Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Century Correctional Institution Is Reaccredited : NorthEscambia.com". Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Richard Comerford Named Florida Department of Corrections Secretary - Correctional News". 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
- ↑ Call, James. "Families protest proposed Florida Department of Corrections tighter visitation rules". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Florida Department of Corrections holds public hearing about prison visitation". WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee News. 2018-04-03. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Florida, News Service of (2018-06-01). "Prison Visitation Changes Spark Outcry". WUFT | News and public media for north central Florida. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Families of inmates criticize proposed Fla. prison visitation changes". Corrections1. 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Richard Comerford named Florida Department of Corrections secretary". Yahoo News. 2026-07-02. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
- 1 2 3 Perry, Mitch (2023-01-17). "FL prisons have 'significant vacancies' in staff positions; lack money for key inmate programs • Florida Phoenix". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Gancarski, A. G. (2023-02-01). "Gov. DeSantis' budget ensures prison guards make more than Wawa clerks". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Perry, Mitch (2023-10-18). "The private prison industry in FL is now changing; the state is taking more control • Florida Phoenix". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved 2026-08-06.