Jerry Bristow appointed supt. of jail in Saluda

Jerry Bristow has been appointed superintendent of the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center (MPRSC) in Saluda, replacing Tim Doss who retired in June. Bristow has served in many different roles at the jail since his employment began there in 1995.

In his 29 years Bristow has served as a jail officer, transportation officer, jail sergeant, jail first sergeant, K-9 officer, training coordinator, captain of security, major of security, major of programs, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel as assistant superintendent.

Bristow has participated in various educational programs while working for the facility. He has attended numerous leadership schools, including the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation’s professional executive leadership course, new chiefs-deputy chiefs training, basic police leadership and advanced police leadership. Bristow is a Department of Criminal Justice Services general instructor, a firearms instructor, a defensive tactics instructor, and a field training officer.

National Guard

Bristow served in the Virginia Army National Guard for more than 20 years, retiring in 2012 at the rank of first sergeant. While serving in the Virginia Army National Guard, he had the opportunity to serve his country on two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has received numerous awards and recognitions during his service to include the Bronze Star for his service while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2008.

Bristow, of King and Queen County, graduated from West Point High School in 1989. He attended Rappahannock Community College after high school, receiving his associates degree in business administration. He returned to college earning a bachelor’s degree in management, and a master’s degree in business administration from the American Military University.

Bristow furthered his education through the North Carolina Theological Seminary, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies, a master’s degree in theology, and a doctoral degree in theology.

Bristow is the associate minister of New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Gloucester, where he serves under Pastor Vincent Pryor.

The human touch

Bristow started at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center before the new jail was built. “In the old jail, we had bars and catwalks that separated the staff from the offenders,” he explained. “In the current facility the officers walk into the units where the offenders are housed in order to conduct security rounds. This was a difficult transition for some officers who did not have good communication skills.

“I tell new officers all the time that offenders incarcerated here in this facility are some of the same people that they will see in Food Lion, 7-Eleven and other places, they have just made a bad decision that has caused them to be here. So when you talk to the offenders, just talk normally and do not talk down to them.

“Being in a rural small community it is likely to see the offenders that have been incarcerated here out in public after they finish their incarceration.”