Procunier’s regime in the Virginia department was stormy. He

Procunier’s regime in the Virginia department was stormy. He had been chosen by Robb as one who would “get a handle” on the problem-ridden agency and take no guff from his subordinates in bringing order to its sprawling bureaucracy.

Robb and Procunier’s boss. Secretary of PublicSafety Franklin White, soon learned to their grief that the new director wouldn’t take any guff from his superiors, either.

After a number of policy clashes, the Procunier regime came to an abrupt end two weeks ago. The final flare-up was over cuts ordered by Robb in the department’s budget. Procunier held one opinion about how they should be made, while White held a contrary view. When Robb was unable to reconcile the strongly held differences between the two men, he backed up his secretary, and Procunier resigned.

All of which is by way of saying that Robb is again back at square one with respect to finding someone to run the increasingly demoralized department.

It appears highly unlikely that the governor will launch another nationwide manhunt for Procunier’s replacement. A firm hand on the agency is needed now. and not four or five months from now. Beyond that, the stringent budget under which the Virginia department must operate—and which caused Procunier to blow his top - is now widely known. It is doubtful that another outsider of Procunier’s stature would want the job and its headaches.

Besides, many in and outside the department say there is a top flight candidate for the appointment right here in the Commwealth.

Both during the interregnum following Hutto’s departure and the present one, Deputy Director for Adult Services Robert M. Landon was named acting corrections director.

Landon, a retired Army colonel, joined the department in 1974. He served first as associate director of Adult Services, becoming the director of that division in 1975. In a reorganization of the department in 1978, he became assistant Corrections director in charge of institutional services.

Before coming to Virginia, Landon served as warden of the North Dakota State Penetentiarv. During his 22-year military career, he was assigned to military police, provost marshal and investigative duties. He was also a confinement specialist in the office of the Army’s Provost Marshal General.

While as acting director his authority has been necessarily limited, Landon’s performance, both follow - ing Hutto’s departure and now, has been regarded as highly impressive by many members of the General Assembly. Unlike Hutto, he seems able to communicate with them. Just as importantly, he is respected by his subordinates in the department as one w ho has become well grounded in the details of Virginia’s corrections system and has the leadership qualities needed to make effective use of his knowledge.

Sources within the department say his appointment as director would be regarded as a major first step in bringing order out of the present uncertain conditions.

Perhaps most significantly, a solid majority of the members of the State Board of Corrections reportedly support his appointment.

Given the urgency of the situation coupled w ith Landon’s experience and demostrated qualifications, his appointment would appear to be a readily available solution to Robb’s most critical personnel problem.

In the view- of many who are concerned about the health of the state’s penal system, the sooner the governor makes a choice, the better. And Landon’s supporters strongly believe he has earned a shot at the job.