We ensure public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services.

A premier correctional organization where all individuals achieve their full potential.

 Safety, Integrity, Accountability, Respect, Learning, and Service

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) operates secure facilities and Probation and Parole (P&P) offices to provide care and supervision to approximately 89,000 individuals, including almost 24,000 inmates in custody in VADOC facilities; over 61,000 supervised in the community by P&P staff; and approximately 4,000 state responsible inmates housed in local and regional jails.* At 19.0%, Virginia has one of the lowest three-year reincarceration recidivism rates among the 35 states that report this rate for State Responsible (SR) releases. The use of evidence-based re-entry programming and treatment during an individual’s incarceration and supervision in the community after release from custody directly impacts Virginia’s recidivism rate. 

* State Responsible (SR) inmates are those who have been convicted of at least one felony and are sentenced to one year or more. Preliminary SR populations as of June 30, 2024, are derived from headcounts in VADOC facilities, while the SR estimate in jails is reported by the State Compensation Board. 

Safety: VADOC develops and implements safety and health programs designed to protect employees and inmate workers and promotes and supports a positive safety and health culture within all divisions. 

Vacancies/Staff Salaries: At the end of July 2024, the vacancy rate for correctional officers was 27.3%. VADOC leadership is working to fill vacancies by implementing a Career Progression structure and implementing a higher salary for Corrections Officers with specified law enforcement or corrections experience. The agency also has high vacancy rates in Mental Health and Wellness Services (20.3%) and Food Service (18%), both critical to operations. 

Fentanyl: Given the high prevalence of Fentanyl across the national illicit drug supply, individuals incarcerated in VADOC remain at risk for overdose if they use any illicit substance. To combat this challenge, VADOC has launched numerous treatment initiatives, including the Fentanyl Response Program. Additionally, the Governor's Office has prioritized Operation FREE (Fentanyl Reduction Enforcement Eradication) to enhance security efforts in intercepting Fentanyl. 

Mental Health: VADOC increased the number of Mental Health Clinicians working in the P&P districts in 2022 and 2024, to address higher recidivism rates for individuals on probation and those releasing from jail with mental health impairments. VADOC is requesting the opportunity to ask the legislature for 20 more in the FY2025 session, pending approval.

Care of Geriatric Inmates: In FY2024, VADOC spent almost $58 million in off-site medical expenditures. Inmates ages 50 and older accounted for 56% of the off-site expenditures while only accounting for 29% of the State Responsible (SR) facility population. 

Recidivism: At 19.0%, Virginia has one of the lowest three-year reincarceration rates among the 35 states that report this rate for SR inmates. 

The Information Technology Unit (ITU) of VADOC currently employs 135 full-time team members to support more than 10,000 agency staff across the Commonwealth. Current staffing levels are not sustainable to handle the growing technical needs of VADOC. 

Below are updates across ITU’s teams. 

VirginiaCORIS 

In March 2006, VADOC initiated the first phase of a major project, VirginiaCORIS, to replace a multitude of legacy applications with a single, integrated, and modern technology application. Today, institutions, community corrections, and the Virginia Parole Board use VirginiaCORIS as their primary tool for managing inmates. Jails also use this tool for reporting to the State Compensation Board (SCB). 

Since 2011, when the initial project was completed, the system has undergone hundreds of enhancements, including the addition of modules for tracking incidents, lockdowns, facility discipline, programs, facility visitors, education, inmate pay, and gangs. VirginiaCORIS now includes a robust app for the iPhone, a dashboard for P&P officers, and automated integration with dozens of agencies and systems, including Virginia State Police (VSP), Department of Social Services, Virginia Employment Commission, Veterans Affairs, commissary services, LiveScan (fingerprinting), voice recognition monitoring, and drug testing. 

VirginiaCORIS has three major releases per year. In 2022, ITU implemented legislated mandated sentence calculation changes in the system. This was a major initiative as the sentence calculation engine had not been refactored since its inception in 2006. Also in 2022, ITU updated the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) in our Division of Education module to version 11 & 12. This new version reduces the number of overall tests from 7 to 3 and will introduce new scoring results. The new scale scores will allow proper placement in academic and CTE programs.  Future releases of VirginiaCORIS include a PREA module, Food Service Module for inmate meal management, and a CCAP (Community Corrections Alternative Program) Referral and Tracking module for all CCAP locations. 

VirginiaCORIS supports more than 10,000 VADOC staff and hundreds of other system users from the SCB, jails, VSP, Office of the Attorney General, and various local and federal law enforcement agencies. It requires an infrastructure of 16 application and database servers, eleven dedicated support and change management staff, as well as numerous other engineering, reporting, and business analysis staff who support VirginiaCORIS as part of VADOC’s technology portfolio. 

Field Technology  

The Field Technology Services team within the IT Unit promotes the VADOC mission to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism. They do this by managing the installation, maintenance, and support of technology services, eCommerce, and customer support for more than 45 locations across the Commonwealth. Field Technology Services supports the initiatives of Inmate Education, Programs & Reentry, VADOC Operations, and supports fast paced Agency Wide Roll-Outs/Scale Up/Deployments of high-priority items as determined by the CIO of the Agency. Field Technology Services is comprised of the below three groups. 

1. Facility Technology Team – includes Inmate Technology for Education - Academic, Career & Technical Education and Testing, Programs & Reentry Initiatives, Inmate Law Library, Inmate Tablets 


2. eCommerce Technology Team – supports IT Unit and Correctional Enterprises Infrastructure and Initiatives at 24 sites throughout Virginia. Supports Websites and Media Content, Enterprise Technology Solutions for Correctional Enterprises, and Inmate Technology for Correctional Enterprises  


3. TechSquad – Customer Engagement Services Team – Agency Help desk – is the one-stop shop/first point of contact for any IT issues for all VADOC Users throughout the agency. 

Current Projects Include: 

1. Statewide Inmate Tablet RFP 


2. Statewide Inmate Technology Bandwidth Expansion 


3. VCE Modernization - Sites/ Plant Technology Modernization and VCE ERP/MRP Syteline migration to the Cloud 


4. Online Services expansion for Inmate Technology  


5. Real program for Education Statewide Roll Out and Aztec Roll Out for Education Technology 


6. Lawrenceville Correctional Center Complete Facility set up for Inmate Technology - School, Programs & Reentry, Testing, Library, Law Library, & Career and Technical Education  


7. Enterprise Application Services 

The Enterprise Application Services (EAS) Unit is composed of five teams: Software Engineering, Data Management, System/Release Engineering, User Experience & Content Strategy, and Business Intelligence. 

These groups work collaboratively and independently to accomplish objectives set forth by the agency, Information Technology Unit, and EAS. They directly work with stakeholders and product owners to ensure that solutions provided are on time, on budget, and full scope. All solutions are designed to meet VADOC’s quality requirements and security posture. The EAS unit provides VADOC with many services which include: 

1. Architecture & Design Consultation 


2. Data Analytics & Reporting 


3. Data Integration & Exchanges 


4. Development & Support 


5. Host Management & Support 


6. Intranet Website Management & Support 


7. Public Website Management & Support 


8. Social Media Enterprise Platform Management & Support 


9. Vendor Consultation 

Software Engineering: The Software Engineering team is the technical point of contact for application requests. They work closely with the Business Systems Analysis team to examine all aspects of an application including architectural design, gathering requirements, and confirming alignment with other resources. They create application code that delivers both on the requirements of the solution and on the quality and architecture requirements set forth by the unit and Commonwealth. Quality assurance is adhered to through testing and validation processes. As a post-implementation task, they provide ongoing maintenance and operational support. This group monitors applications in the production environment while providing support and administration, to certify the reliability and usability of applications. 

Data Management: The Data Management team is responsible for the development, execution, and supervision of standards, policies, and practices that deliver and enhance the value of data and information assets. They specialize in three main areas: Data Integration: develop and support data exchanges between VADOC and external agencies, public, and private sector companies; Reporting: develop and support CORIS custom reports and provide ad hoc requests from all data sources to support the business as needed; and the Data Warehouse: integrate current and historical data across all VADOC sources, making them accessible in one location for reporting, analytical processing, and data mining.  

System/Release Engineering: The System/Release Engineering team is responsible for the deployment, configuration management, and production support of all EAS developed and supported web applications and databases. This includes the installation, configuration, and management of web servers and database management systems. The team provides the necessary support and oversight of all VADOC’s infrastructure alongside the Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA). The team is also responsible for maintaining the software deployment environments and coordinates change management events with VADOC's enterprise storage and server infrastructure provider. 

User Experience and Content Strategy: The User Experience and Content Strategy team is an interdisciplinary digital strategy, design, and development group that sits at the intersection of business unit special initiatives, communications, and technology. UX-CS promotes the critical value of design, development, and content practices aimed at improving the user experience of our audiences. 

Business Intelligence: The Business Intelligence team designs, implements, and manages ITU data visualization solutions that enhance the understanding of agency data, and leverage the multitude of data sources/artifacts within VADOC. This includes interaction and collaboration with stakeholders managing backend data sources, vendor-packaged solutions, cloud integration, and various file-based data extracts. This team also leads and supports Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives while following all VITA/Executive mandates put forth by the Commonwealth. Additional responsibilities include machine learning, business intelligence, business/data analytics, and visualization tool support.   

Information Security 

VADOC's Information Security team, though only comprised of 13 staff members with three being contractor positions, represent over 40 combined years of experience in 9 different COV agencies. The team has over 20 years of combined years in IT Leadership, 25 combined years of VADOC commitment, with 11 combined nationally recognized IT certifications. This small team manages agency security and Virginia Code IT security compliance by performing the following duties: 

• Compliance to all nine COV security standards including over 822 security requirements (per system), in addition to agencywide IT security program security compliance;  


• Managing 12,000 COV network account access (10,000 ticket requests annually consume over 3,400 hours annually); 


• Managing over 200 external VirginiaCORIS system account access, including those within the Virginia State Police, FBI, and Homeland Security;  


• Implementation and management of all governance security policies and procedures; 


• Implementation and management of all security training (SAT, Incident Response, Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery, business ownership, and vendor system security roles); 


• IT vendor/third party secure partnerships, including crafting/management of all data access agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, and Enterprise Cloud Oversight Service (ECOS) vendor support; 


• Implementation and management of incident response (including supporting IT security investigations, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and supporting special investigations stemming from suspicious acts of potential fraud, waste, and abuse); and 


• Support and coordinate IT response to all internal, external, third party, and Office of Attorney General (OAG) audit and investigation requests that include IT-centric scope. Investigations consume a minimum of 1,300 hours annually. 

The bullets listed above include ongoing management and support of the agency IT Security initiatives. In addition to these items, the following are current goals: 

• Increased efficiencies in account management through the implementation of and staffing for an IT Help Desk System to alleviate bottlenecks 


• Further enhancing security efforts through implementation of an agencywide security training tool 


• Migrating sensitive system access to a COV approved cloud portal (OKTA) 


• Increase efforts to reduce audit points, threats and mitigate risk through expanded risk assessments 


• Continue to efficiently leverage agencywide procedures for onboarding new systems 


• Security and oversight for over 20 new systems/vendor systems including medical systems, body camera system, surveillance and GPS tracking, pharmacy, and MS Access database conversations to compliant platforms 


• Implementing COV/VITA based dashboard tools to identify threats faster and mitigate them more effectively 


• Implementation of Zero Trust Architecture 


• Cloud Security Enhancement 


• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Implementation 


• Enhance our Security Awareness and Training Programs  


• Enhance our IT Security investigations with advance technologies 

Delivery Services  

The Delivery Services group is a centralized service organization that provides strategic support and services to ensure the agency’s highest priority initiatives are successfully identified, coordinated, and executed. Delivery Services provides expertise in business systems analysis, process improvement, project controls, project management, portfolio management, quality improvement, resource management, communications, and reporting.    

Delivery Services focuses on three main areas:  

1. Business Systems Analysis 


2. Project Management 


3. Portfolio Management  

Delivery Services is currently working on bringing the following large initiatives to the agency:  

1. Release Reentry Tracks – implementation of a system that will aid counselors to make recommendations to the classification unit for optimal placement of inmates for appropriate carceral needs, physical and mental health care, programming, and educational needs, etc.;  


2. Visitation Module – within CORIS OMS enhancing the visitation module to provide a more secure way to allow inmates' loved ones to complete visitation applications;  


3. Reentry Bonding – implementation of a system allowing employers of our citizens returning to their communities easier access to the Federal bonding program;   


4. Community Medicaid Data Exchange – upgrade current data exchange with DMAS to include community supervisees to ensure supervisees can apply/receive health insurance benefits;   


5. Community Data Analytics – implementation of data analytics and visualizations to Parole Officers providing information critical to the caseload for community supervisees;  


6. Security Data Analytics – provide data analytics and visualization to aid security units with investigations, and allow the units to be more proactive in their approach to overall security in the facilities;  


7. Tool/ Management – implementation of enterprise system to track tools used in work centers, vocational classrooms, facility maintenance areas, and armories agencywide;  


8. Food Services – implementation of systems to allow Food Services to track demand (inmate diet needs) and supply (facility/agency wide inventory, menu management, nutrition management, etc.);  


9. ITU Help Desk – implementation of agency ITU help desk.   

Health IT 

The Health IT Team was started in 2023 to support the implementation of VADOC’s first Electronic Health Record project and to support Health Services ongoing and growing technical needs. This team has taken responsibility for Medical Portal account management for the Health Services Unit which supports account access for Hospital Portals and Laboratory Portal access. 

Health IT are working to bring the following platforms and services to the agency: 

1. Electronic Health Record – Systemized collection of digitally stored patient health information. This platform will provide many efficiency improvements, and secure and searchable health information for our patients.  


2. Telehealth – Ability to remotely provide medical services without having the patient leave a facility. This platform provides cost savings and efficiency to patient care for routine or non-urgent medical needs. 


3. AmplifyMD – Virtual Care platform connecting medical institutions with specialist doctors. Provides a virtual care option for specialist care needs. 


4. SyncMD – HIPAA Secure Patient Medical Record Portal platform. Medical record storage platform that allows secure sharing of patient information from facility to facility and provides our patients/inmates a portal of their medical records once they leave our care. 


5. Splunk – Log Monitoring tool that allows automation of events monitoring and reporting. In conjunction with our Electronic Health Record platform, will provide additional layers of security monitoring to ensure appropriate use of privilege and aid in system troubleshooting. 

Administration & Operations 

The Administration & Operations Unit is composed of six teams: Video Operations, IT Infrastructure & Support, Network & Telecommunications, IT Operations, VCE, and IT Financials. 

These groups work collaboratively with the IT Partnership, Business Units, vendors and independently to achieve the Agency goals and objectives, while adhering to the Commonwealth policies and procedures. The A&O unit has the following initiatives currently in process: 

1. Inmate-facing Polycom Upgrades – this video conferencing equipment provides a safe and secure communication for inmates with individuals outside the agency, including law enforcement, judicial, legal, visitation, telemedical, and parole services. 


2. Telehealth – expansion of the telehealth program, which utilizes the ZOOMGOV and Polycom platforms, and continue to enhance and support the healthcare needs of VADOC inmates. Additionally, partner with our healthcare providers to supply services remotely to minimize transport, increase public safety, and allow employees to focus on the VADOC mission.


3. Axon Body Camera and Evidence.com – advances the agency towards the next level, supporting our vision of a premier correctional organization through transparency and accountability for inmates and staff. 


4. DEXIS Camera Rollout – Dexis provides dentists an efficient, secure means to collaborate and determine the best healthcare steps for inmates, allowing for quicker and better diagnoses.  


5. Syteline Cloud Upgrade – will provide the ability for the Virginia Correctional Enterprises to manage capacity, streamline inventory, and increase efficiencies, security, and productivity.


6. Asset Panda integration with DocuSign – provide the improvement of workflows.  


7. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) – a solution that will allow and/or require employees to use their own device. Implementation of virtual desktops will provide the agency with improved mobility for staff, ease of access, flexibility, and enhanced security. 


8. MasterPass/Inmate Movement – This initiative provides the agency a more efficient way to provide movement through facilities. It provides enhanced safety for inmates and officers, efficient communication, and provides support for business processes for staff. 


9. Secure WAPs for the medical units for all the facilities – to provide a better response for communication and diagnoses for VADOC Healthcare providers and inmates. 


10. Bandwidth Circuit Upgrades – This initiative provides the much-needed infrastructure upgrades to meet the ever-increasing demands of being a premier correctional organization. Increased capacity of bandwidth supports every aspect of all the agency’s business needs. 

There are several major workforce challenges for VADOC in the next five years. The first is the compensation for staff, specifically those on the front line—security staff in our facilities and probation staff in our districts. Lasting public safety requires an effective and well-trained workforce. Offering competitive salaries that align with the market is essential to attract and employ a diverse and effective workforce.  

The second workforce challenge is to be able to hire and retain highly skilled professionals in the many specialty areas utilized by VADOC. Whether it is in mental health, medical, trades, or other specialized areas, VADOC must be able to compete in the market and have adequate staff to provide services. Additionally, the ongoing development of middle and senior management is crucial to prepare employees to step into leadership roles as experienced leaders retire. 

VADOC is implementing a Career Progression program for security staff this fiscal year (FY2025). Structured career progression programs not only support individual development, but also directly contribute to the overall stability and effectiveness of our public safety workforce. Additional resources are needed to deliver and implement structured career progression programs to other groups within the agency, such as P&P Officers supporting our local communities. 

Vacancies/Staff Salaries: At the end of July 2024, the vacancy rate for correctional officers was 27.3%. VADOC leadership is working to fill vacancies by implementing a Career Progression structure and implementing a higher salary for Corrections Officers with specified law enforcement or corrections experience. The agency also has high vacancy rates in mental health (20.3%) and Food Service (18%), both critical to operations. 

VADOC’s facility portfolio includes 33 major institutions, four work centers, and five department-owned community corrections facilities. These facilities include more than 1,400 buildings and over 13 million square feet. VADOC stewards over 19,000 acres associated with these facilities, much of which is cultivated by the VADOC Agribusiness program. The Agribusiness Farmer's Market and the Agribusiness Distribution Center in Jarratt are all housed in capital leased space. Other facilities such as P&P offices are housed in operating leased space. It is becoming more difficult to acquire P&P office space due to the public hearing requirement and the public's concern about these facilities being located in their communities. 

Most of VADOC’s active capital and maintenance reserve appropriations are committed to critical maintenance needs and to meeting regulatory requirements. 

Obtaining adequate capital and maintenance reserve funding to allow VADOC to continue to provide the current exceptional level of security, staff safety, and public safety is a challenge that must be addressed. Also, VADOC must obtain long-range support for replacing aging facilities. There is a growing need for major renovation of a generation of facilities more than 40 years old. 

VADOC’s capital investment program addresses the highest priority needs within available funding. These investments align with Virginia's long-term objective to protect the public’s safety and security. 

Vacancies/Staff Salaries - At the end of July 2024, the vacancy rate for correctional officers was 27.3%. VADOC leadership is working to fill vacancies by implementing a Career Progression structure and implementing a higher salary for Corrections Officers with specified law enforcement or corrections experience. The agency also has high vacancy rates in mental health (20.3%) and Food Service (18%), both critical to operations. 

Medical Services - Cost increases are anticipated due to continued inflation of medical costs, including but not limited to offsite care and pharmaceuticals. There is a financial risk in the high cost of temporary agency medical employees that we employ due to our inability to fill all clinical positions.  

Limited programming resources - VADOC is not always able to address all inmate needs due to staffing limitations, security/classification status, sentence length, and finite resources. Efforts are made to prioritize inmates for available programs based on their assessed recidivism risks and degree of treatment needs, and their proximity to release. To augment staffing and provide more program activities, VADOC has begun using trained inmate mentors and peer recovery specialists to deliver non-clinical programs. Examples of inmate-led groups include topical seminars, support programs, and structured journaling curriculum. In correctional education, trained tutors are used to supplement teacher resources and provide tutoring for low-level literacy students on class waiting lists and for enrolled students outside of school hours. 

Fentanyl - Assessment results for VADOC’s inmate population show that approximately 67% of inmates score probable or highly probable on the substance abuse scales of the COMPAS. Given that SAMSHA reports opioid use disorder as the most commonly treated substance use disorder in America (24% of treatment admissions), and given the high prevalence of Fentanyl across the national illicit drug supply, individuals incarcerated in VADOC remain at risk for overdose if they use any illicit substance. To combat this challenge, VADOC has launched numerous treatment initiatives including two residential treatment programs. The Fentanyl Response Program is for inmates who test positive for Fentanyl, and the Residential Illicit Drug Use Program is for inmates who have a confirmed overdose. VADOC continues to offer a robust response, at all levels of care, to the Fentanyl crisis. Additionally, the Governor's Office has prioritized Operation FREE (Fentanyl Reduction Enforcement Eradication) to enhance security efforts in intercepting Fentanyl. 

Increased Maintenance and Replacement Costs - Many facilities within VADOC are 40+ years old, causing wear and tear on the interior and exterior mechanisms. This results in replacement and repair to extend the life span of the facilities. Funding limits the Department’s ability to improve all facilities that need repairs and replacements. 

Facility Operational Costs - VADOC’s annual cost of operations rises for a wide variety of mandated line items (utilities, fuel, rent, etc.), yet VADOC receives no additional funding to relieve these growing liabilities. This creates a situation where VADOC is forced to maintain position vacancies in other areas, primarily in security (which make up the majority of VADOC positions), in order to fund these responsibilities, which could ultimately have a negative impact on public safety. 

Aging Fleet in Need of Replacement - The average age of the agency fleet is 15 years old and the agency as a whole drove over 25 million miles last fiscal year. Industry norms for vehicle age/replacement are typically in the 8-10 year range. The agency budget does not support replacing vehicles in a timely manner and has only gotten worse with inflation over the last few years. Older vehicles inherently have higher maintenance costs, higher operating costs (less efficient), less safety features, and are more prone to downtime. VADOC averages 2,500 transportation runs per month. 

Career Progression Continued Funding - VADOC received FY2025 funding of $6.6M to launch a career advancement initiative for VADOC security staff, supporting progression opportunities for Corrections Officers and Sergeants. If additional funding is not provided in the future for these vital public safety positions, qualified potential and current employees will continue to be drawn to other organizations (public and private) that offer better pay, more flexible work environments, and opportunities for career development and advancement. 

Recruiting and Supporting Salaries of Administrative, Maintenance, and Food Service Staff - VADOC must stay competitive in the job market and maintain adequate staffing to ensure essential public safety services. Insufficient support for recruitment and retention efforts, as well as support for clerical, maintenance, and food service staff, will result in understaffing, operational disruptions, increased turnover, and could impact VADOC's operational effectiveness.

The majority of VADOC’s funding comes from general fund dollars (approximately 94%), along with special funding (approximately 6%) created primarily from revenue generated from Virginia Correctional Enterprises' sale of products and services. Source document Chapter 806 (Appropriations Act). 

The Bureau of Justice Assistance administers the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program and provides federal payments to states and localities that incur correctional officer salary costs for incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens with at least one felony or two misdemeanor convictions for violations of state or local law, and who are incarcerated for at least four consecutive days during the reporting period. VADOC received two awards payments in FY2024 due to timing of award processing. The total award amount received in FY2024 was $3,740,121. 

PLEASE NOTE: THESE FUND AMOUNTS VARY EACH YEAR AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON AVAILABLE FUNDING AND THE NUMBER OF ENTITIES REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS INCURRED. 

VADOC operates secure facilities and P&P offices to provide care and supervision to approximately 89,000 individuals, including almost 24,000 inmates in custody in VADOC facilities; over 61,000 supervised in the community by P&P staff; and approximately 4,000 state responsible inmates housed in local and regional jails.* At 19.0%, Virginia has one of the lowest three-year reincarceration rates among the 35 states that report this rate for SR inmates. The use of evidence-based reentry programming and treatment during an individual’s incarceration and supervision in the community after release from custody directly impacts Virginia’s recidivism rate. 

* State Responsible (SR) inmates are those who have been convicted of at least one felony and are sentenced to one year or more. Preliminary SR populations as of June 30, 2024, are derived from headcounts in VADOC facilities, while the SR estimate in jails is reported by the State Compensation Board. 

No data

Reentry preparation begins at the inmate’s or supervisee’s first contact with VADOC, whether in a facility or on probation, and continues throughout the course of custody/supervision. While VADOC does not control who is sentenced to its supervision, VADOC works to ensure the success of each inmate or supervisee in order to reduce costs of incarceration, reduce recidivism, and increase long-term public safety. 

Building upon the agency’s reentry successes, VADOC continues to increase its operational fidelity with evidence-based practices to further improve its outcomes. Research shows that recidivism is reduced when the key drivers of each individual’s criminality are addressed through targeted programs and services. Inmates and supervisees under VADOC supervision have multiple needs. Crucial factors that must be addressed are thinking/attitude, associates/peers, education, employment, substance use, and mental health. Also, positive supports to meet the inmate’s basic needs, including solid home plans and transportation, are important for successful adjustment after release from prison or during probation supervision. It is also important to build upon each individual’s strengths. 

Effective reentry emphasizes the importance of connecting inmates/supervisees with interventions that provide skills and reinforcements that allow individuals to practice newly acquired thinking and behaviors in a learning environment. Due to the complexity and array of issues that inmates face upon release, researchers and experts emphasize the importance of providing a continuity of care throughout each stage of the reentry process. VADOC follows research and an evidence-based practices (EBP) model proven to achieve recidivism reduction. This model includes the following: conducting an actuarial risk and needs assessment with an instrument to determine treatment needs and intensity of services needed; developing an individualized case plan to drive supervision and participation in programs while incarcerated; using communication techniques to engage and motivate the inmate to change; ensuring services are based on cognitive behavioral models that include opportunities to practice new skills; and establishing effective, positive professional relationships by correctional staff. As resources allow, VADOC continually evaluates in key programs to determine success or follows external research. Services are modified as necessary for VADOC to stay current and offer the programs that offer the most potential for success. 

Research shows that resources and interventions should be focused on inmates and supervisees who are at a higher risk to recidivate, as those assessed as being low risk for recidivism will usually self-correct and can be made worse with unnecessary intensive correctional interventions. Therefore, VADOC places a major emphasis on using an actuarial risk and needs assessment instrument (COMPAS) to determine each individual’s supervision level and program participation plan. Associated with this, VADOChas been successful in expanding the use of probation/parole supervision through technology, including use of an automated self-reporting system for low-risk supervisees. This supervision method allows VADOC to target staff and program resources for higher risk probationers/parolees while still having supervision of low-risk supervisees who are demonstrating positive lifestyles in the community. 

Implementing EBP within facilities and Community Corrections Alternative Programs (CCAP) facilities creates special training requirements for staff and inmates/supervisees. The culture of the facility must support positive change through every aspect of its operations and programs. Each interaction between inmates/supervisees and staff creates an opportunity for role modeling and teaching. EBP has also been implemented in all P&P Districts. Effective Practices in Correctional Setting (EPICS II) is a structured intervention that has been implemented in all P&P districts and CCAPs. EPICS II is a set of skills used in daily interactions with supervisees to develop rapport, increase motivation to change, and address skill deficits while holding the supervisee accountable.  

A full range of education services is available for incarcerated individuals including adult basic education through GED®, career, and technical education (CTE) programs and apprenticeship programs. A number of secondary education courses are available based on grants or inmate self-pay. Pell grants were re-authorized at the federal levels beginning in July 2023, and as these expanded grants are provided to colleges and universities, VADOC is seeing its partnerships with institutions of higher education expanding. VADOC is working with the University of Virginia and the non-profit organization Resilience to provide inmates college credit for an entrepreneurial program. VADOC has been successful in having five of its career and technical education programs certified through the American Council on Education to receive college credit at many educational institutions in the community for inmates after release. Innovative ideas and partnerships are growing across the state and offer incarcerated inmates, VADOC, and institutions of higher learning the opportunity for expanded collaborations. Recent evaluation has demonstrated that VADOC’s CTE programs have a recidivism rate of 12.4% and academic programming recidivism rate of 16.9%. 

Research on VADOC’s recidivists demonstrates that inmates with mental health issues, particularly those who are released from local jails without the benefit of VADOC’s services, recidivate more frequently and more quickly than inmates who came into VADOC prisons. VADOC provides correctional state-of-the-art programming for inmates with mental health issues. Services provided by mental health professionals are resources available at most facilities. These services include assessment, monitoring, individual and group treatment, medication, and crisis management. A cadre of correctional officers at VADOC’s higher security prisons have been trained in Correctional Crisis Intervention Training (CCIT). The training, like that provided to law enforcement officers, equips VADOC security officers with skills to intervene and deescalate crisis situations related to inmates with mental health issues. The Agency has six specialized treatment programs licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for seriously mentally ill and sex offenders. Marion Correctional Treatment Center (MCTC) is an accredited, licensed psychiatric hospital for male inmates who meet commitment criteria. VADOC recently proposed adding 20 District Mental Health Clinicians in P&P districts to support inmate treatment referrals, stabilization, and crisis management in P&P districts. 

For inmates and supervisees with substance use disorder issues, VADOC operates intensive programming including a Therapeutic Community that treats substance use disorder as well as the criminal behavior and thinking that accompanies these issues. In response to the opiate crisis, over the past two years VADOC has added intensive treatment with a medically assisted treatment option. In addition to prison treatment, probationers needing intensive opiate treatment may be sentenced to VADOC’s diversionary Community Corrections Alternative Programs for both intensive treatment and medically assisted treatment at the point of return to the community. Through a partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, medication-assisted treatment continues post-release through local Community Services Boards. 

VADOC also has services focused on a variety of other specialized needs such as veterans, medically infirm, and geriatric persons. These inmates/supervisees are identified and placed in specialized housing or programming or referred to community resources if on probation. 

To help prepare individuals for successful crime free lives, VADOC works with community partners in local reentry councils to address homelessness, jobs, education, and programs needed for those released from incarceration and/or under community supervision. 

The Agency has been nationally recognized for its innovative, evidence-based programming across the correctional spectrum. This includes assisting inmates in transitioning from high-security housing to the general prison population through comprehensive programming, continuing through their time in prison and culminating in the successful completion of community supervision. VADOC makes every effort to create safe environments where inmates and supervisees can focus on self-improvement and positive change. 

Agribusiness 

In December 2022, the State Farm Task Force was awarded the “Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Collaboration Excellence Award.” The purpose of this award is to give recognition to an exemplary, interdisciplinary partnership between agencies that achieved substantive progress towards goals outlined in Virginia’s Phase III Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP). The Task Force was formed in July 2020 with a focus of developing and implementing a plan to fence cattle out and restore riparian forest buffers on this approximately 4,000-acre VADOC property in Goochland and Powhatan Counties. As part of this initiative, the Task Force has integrated the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional: Buffer Certificate Series into the project, and since 2020 has trained 18 individuals and awarded 13 certificates. Partners receiving this award include the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals, Conservation Services, Inc., Goochland Virginia Cooperative Extension, James River Association, Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District, The Nature Conservancy, VADOC, and the Virginia Department of Forestry.   

Academy for Staff Development and General Services and Facility Management Unit  

In early November,* VADOC provided training in Emergency Management and the Incident Command System to a delegation from Colombia at the Academy for Staff Development - Central. This training was provided through a partnership with the United States Department of State and offered international colleagues an opportunity to learn management skills in serious incidents within correctional facilities. VADOC’s own Angel Baugh, HQ Safety and Security Manager, and Carlos Hernandez, Regional Manager - Central Region, led 30 correctional professionals in the training program. The program consisted of training in ethics, utilizing the Incident Command System in correctional facilities, cuffing techniques, use of force, and defensive tactics. Assistant Warden Samuel Gutierrez and his team hosted the training participants for a tour of State Farm, and the Colombian delegation expressed how impressed they were with the staff and management of the facility. The ongoing partnership with the State Department began in 2017 and includes training, dialogue, and education efforts for correctional professionals in other countries. As an award-winning national and international leader in corrections management, VADOC is proud to share its knowledge and expertise to help others. 

In May of 2022, VADOC received two safety awards issued by the Virginia State Police. VADOC won an award for having the lowest crash rate in the state for its Community Corrections pool cars and won an award for having the lowest crash rate for all its non-pool cars.    

Infrastructure and Environmental Management Unit (IEMU) 

IEMU received the following in 2022: 

Four water plants won awards: Appalachian, Bland, Fluvanna, and State Farm. 

Appalachian, Bland, and Fluvanna won the Gold Award for Water Treatment. 

State Farm won an award for Water Fluoridation Quality, and one for Excellence on Filtration and Backwash. 

Robert Tolbert, an Environmental Manager at Buckingham Correctional Center, received a certificate of appreciation from the CDC and WEF for participation in the VADOC wastewater testing pilot. 

Sentence Calculation  

During the 2020 Special Session of the General Assembly, legislation was passed to award enhanced good time credits to inmates currently serving sentences in VADOC. These changes took effect July 1, 2022. Subsequently, in the 2022 Biennial Budget, the General Assembly modified the application of the enhanced good time credits. The code applied the enhanced good time credits retroactively and mandated that all inmates with reassessed release dates in the past be released within 60 days of the enactment date. The overall total number of inmates impacted by the legislation was approximately 11,000, with 2,676 inmates required to be calculated and released before August 31, 2022.   

Successfully achieving this goal required the collaboration of four teams within ITU (VACORIS, Software Release, Data Team, and Delivery Services), Court & Legal, and the VACORIS vendor. In order to accomplish this massive task, they used innovative approaches, such as standing up a new test site, independently deploying the changes within the application, automating the good time reassessment on existing sentences, and automating the calculation of impacted records, as well as providing preliminary result reports for business use and approval. The teams were able to accomplish the above while maintaining their current workload.     

Due to the outstanding teamwork, all necessary updates were made to the system by the deadline, which resulted in the successful implementation of the changes and facilitated the release of the impacted inmates.  

AXON Body Cameras  

The AXON Body Cameras deployed within the VADOC environment provides an enhanced level of safety and security in correctional centers and the community by documenting adherence to policy interactions between staff, visitors, and inmates. This documentation ensures public safety and improves organizational efficiency. The video captured by AXON body cameras also assists with documenting occurrences, corroborates evidence, and provides better transparency and accountability. In addition, this solution provides a cloud-based secure recording environment.   

Body Scanners 

VADOC has implemented the use of the Conpass DV Full Body Security X-Ray Screening Systems by Linev (formerly ADANI) for over six years. VADOC started out with pilot use in the latter part of 2016, with full deployment in 2017. VADOC currently has 24 body scanners installed in 22 institutions in addition to 2 mobile units. The primary use of this equipment is for the security screening of staff, visitors, and inmates. Utilization of this equipment has allowed VADOC to detect and deter contraband from being smuggled into facilities through body cavities and other areas not visible to the naked eye or detected through frisk/pat search methods. 

Background Investigation Unit Case Management  

The new Background Investigation Unit (BIU) Case Management System replaces a 20-year-old system and will reduce the amount of time it takes to process background investigations. New cases can be entered into the system by employees in the field as well as at headquarters. Active cases can be accessed depending on “need to know” as well as old cases, including those processed in the legacy system. The new system allows for predefined reports as well as user creation of custom ad hoc reports on demand. This system benefits VADOC by stabilizing the means of creating, tracking, reporting, and closing background investigation cases. 

District 31 Chesapeake Probation & Parole Intensive Opioid Recovery Program 

In December 2019, the district established an Intensive Opioid Recovery Program (IORP), as the result of grant funding from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Currently, the program organization consists of a Senior Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) Probation Officer and two Probation & Parole Officers who act as treatment and supervision providers for cases assigned to the program. Participants receive additional support services from Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRS) assigned to the district, also funded by DBHDS.   

The goal of the program is to immediately (within 24 to 48 hours) identify individuals with history or current opiate use and evaluate them for treatment services, to include Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) and counseling services. In addition to Chesapeake residents, the program allows individuals to live in the surrounding jurisdictions of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Portsmouth and remain in the program on supervision with Chesapeake Probation. The program consists of four phases and can take one and a half to two years to complete. Successful completion occurs after demonstrating at least one year of sobriety, along with sustained lifestyle changes. To date,* the program has served 115 participants, with 18 successful completions, and 58 currently active Supervisees.   

Community Corrections Dashboard 

This project enables leadership to monitor for gaps and when appropriate, dialogue with partners to ensure services are available for supervisees. VADOC has developed a Community Corrections Dashboard to track trends and the intersection of supervisee risk with responses that can mitigate those risks. 

The Chapel, DVD Program, and God Behind Bars

VADOC is working with The Chapel RVA to provide a weekly DVD recording of their Sunday morning worship service to all VADOC facilities and CCAPs. The Chapel RVA is a life-giving, relational church [Christian] with two locations in central Virginia. “Our passion is to provide a place where you can know God, find freedom and make a difference" (Source: Vision Statement on The Chapel RVA website). The Chapel RVA has two locations in the Richmond, Virginia area: Midlothian and Downtown Campus. The Chapel RVA has shipped out their first DVD of the Sunday, January 22, 2023, morning worship service.* The facility administration is broadcasting this programming to the inmate population as the DVDs are received from The Chapel RVA.

God Behind Bars is a nationally recognized and premiere ministry in Federal and State prisons all across the country. God Behind Bars partners with each state’s Department of Corrections to match reputable, authentic, and caring churches and volunteers with facilities lacking church presence. Its goal is to give inmates and their families a new beginning together, no matter the length of the sentence being served, as well as the exponentially higher chance of staying out of prison for good if released. It achieves this goal by targeting men’s and women’s spiritual needs, ultimately connecting them with the local church, with whom they will walk and belong in the community upon release. In VADOC, God Behind Bars is at Nottoway Correctional Center (Passion Community Church, Powhatan, VA), St. Brides Correctional Center (Alive Church), and Indian Creek Correctional Center (Waters Edge Church).

Narcotics Division

VADOC operates a Narcotics Division, formerly known as the Drug Task Force, dedicated to investigating illegal drug activities across the agency, involving inmates, employees, and civilians. The Narcotics Division expanded in 2024 and is now comprised of three assistant chiefs, 22 agents, two part-time agents, and a full-time analyst supervisor, who oversees three full-time and two part-time analysts. In CY2024 so far, the Narcotics Division opened 141 investigations and completed 62. The Narcotics Division also pursued street charges in 28 cases for civilians and 63 cases for inmates. 

Sealed Religious Diet 

The Common Fare and Sealed Religious diets are available at selected institutions designated by the Chief of Corrections Operations and are intended to accommodate inmates whose religious dietary needs cannot be met by the Master Menu. The Common Fare and Sealed Religious menus have been analyzed and certified to meet or exceed minimum daily nutritional requirements. The Common Fare diet provides an appropriate religious diet for those inmates whose religious dietary needs are not met by the Master Menu. 

• The Common Fare diet menu meets or exceeds the minimum daily nutritional requirements. 

• All foods purchased for the diet, except fresh fruits and vegetables, are certified by a recognized Orthodox Standard such as “U”, “K”, or “CRC.” 

• The Common Fare diet is Kosher using Kashrut methods. 

• No pork or pork derivatives are used. 

• The storage and preparation of food items, the cleaning and purification of food service equipment, serving utensils, and contact surfaces, as well as the serving of Common Fare meals comply with religious dietary laws. 

The Sealed Religious diet is available to those inmates whose religious dietary needs cannot be met by the Master Menu or the Common Fare diet menu. The Sealed Religious diet is Kosher.  

VADOC Helps Round Up Suspects in the Richmond Metro 

VADOC recently joined an array of law enforcement entities in Operation Washout. The joint operation led to the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of money, illegal drugs, and firearms in the City of Richmond and the surrounding area. Senior Parole Officer Hunter Reed of P&P District 1, Richmond, joined with members of the VADOC Extradition, Fugitive, and Emergency Services Unit in the operation, which was led by the U.S. Marshals Service from May 23 to May 27.* 

The operation also included the Richmond Police Department, the Chesterfield Police Department, the Chesterfield Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Operation Washout Results: Arrest of 12 wanted gang members and eight additional fugitives. 

Implementation of a Centralized Mail Distribution Center 

On July 1, 2022, VADOC implemented its first Centralized Mail Distribution Center as part of VADOC's continuing efforts to prevent the introduction of drugs and other contraband inside facilities. The mail center currently provides a centralized location for all legal correspondence intended for inmate receipt to be screened and searched using various detection equipment and search methods. The mail center has been in operation for the past eight months* and has successfully processed 20,987 pieces of legal correspondence and counting. As VADOC continues its commitment to maintain the safety of all inmates, staff, and the public, the agency looks forward to expanding the current operation to include the screening of books, magazines, publications, and religious correspondence. 

Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI) – Video Visitation Expansion Project – Red Onion State Prison  

VADOC has partnered with AFOI to install video visitation equipment in each living area to allow greater inmate access to participate in video visitation. This pilot will go live in the next 45 days.* VADOC will then expand the infrastructure in all facilities in a phased rollout schedule throughout the next 12 months. As the AFOI has expanded video visitation in VADOC, participation in video visitation continues to steadily increase. In 2021-2022, there were approximately 13,000 completed video visits. In February 2023, there were approximately 17,000 completed video visits.*   

Central Commissary Warehouse 

On August 1, 2022, VADOC transitioned to the Keefe Central Commissary Warehouse operated in Glen Allen, Virginia. The warehouse is 154,000 square feet and fills approximately 17,500 commissary orders weekly. Once the orders are filled for each facility, the orders are transported by a fleet of 40 trucks to deliver to the facilities located across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The commissary warehouse stores 1,509 products. There are 75 inmate workers assigned full time at the warehouse. Since the opening of the warehouse, 144 inmates have received 378 certifications. Four inmates have been fully certified on Forklift and were issued their Power Industrial Truck Permits.  

Freedom Reads Library Program 

VADOC has partnered with Freedom Reads to set up a library collection in all facilities. This program will be piloted at Indian Creek Correctional Center and St. Brides Correctional Center. The Freedom Library places a special 500-book collection in all housing units so that reaching for a book can be as spontaneous as human curiosity. This partnership seeks to support the efforts of people in prison to imagine new possibilities for their lives. 

Appalachian CCAP Helps Fight Forest Fires 

The Appalachian CCAP supervisees participate with the Virginia Department of Forestry to assist with fighting forest fires in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Forestry comes on site twice a year to provide training to the supervisees who learn about personal safety measures, safety equipment, how to use safety shelters, and how to dig fire lines. During 2022, they have assisted with two separate forest fires*. This is an excellent program that really ties into the CCAP's cognitive community, its substance use programming, and its vocational training. After assisting with forest fires, the supervisees often speak about how good it felt to do something positive for the community and how proud they are of this accomplishment. The supervisees receive certificates for completing the training and when they assist with fighting a forest fire. 

When a fire broke out on Poor Mountain west of Salem, the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) called in a trained crew from VADOC.* Eight inmates from Patrick Henry Correctional Unit led by Corrections Officer Gary Flipi spent the day building a firebreak and cleaning up hot spots. 

VDOF trains inmates in a variety of wildfire applications, with cooperation from the Virginia Department of Forestry. Inmates must be medically sound, pass a physical endurance test, and be certified in First Aid and CPR. After training, inmates are entry-level certified wild land firefighters and must be recertified annually. Their general duties may include digging fire lines, back burning, monitoring for hot spots, and basic clean up after the fire has been controlled. 

Wise Correctional Unit crews responded to two large wildfires that burnt 364 acres across three counties in Virginia.* Their crew provided 192 hours of fire suppression labor over a three-day period. Because of their hard work, 11 homes and 18 additional structures were protected from these fires with an estimated value of $1,130,000 protected due to suppression efforts. 

Cool Down Room 

In 2022, VADOC implemented a “Cool Down Room” pilot program at five correctional facilities in order to provide staff an opportunity to de-escalate and manage disruptive situations at the facility without resorting to the use of Restorative Housing (formerly Restrictive Housing). As of April 2024, the program has expanded to 23 facilities. The purpose of these rooms is to provide a safe and secure place for inmates to reflect on their behavior choices, manage their emotions, reduce stress and practice self-directed behavior. The pilot program has four goals: 

1. To reduce serious incidents by providing an opportunity for inmates to engage in self de-escalation skills. 

2. To reduce assignments to the Restorative Housing program for inmates in general population. 

3. To reduce the amount of time and resources for staff in managing disruptive situations. 

4. To promote a positive culture in the facility. 

Expansion of Medication Assisted Treatment  

The VADOC Medication Assisted Treatment program has expanded to include continuation of buprenorphine for inmates transferring into VADOC from local and regional jails. Inmates in the continued buprenorphine program will be able to continue their prescribed medication for opioid use disorder while receiving ongoing case management, substance use disorder programming, and peer recovery support services. This program will be offered at six pilot locations.  

Family Reunification at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women 

Virginia Correctional Center for Women’s family reunification home is dedicated to strengthening the bond between incarcerated mothers and their minor children prior to release. Incarcerated mothers enrolled in this 12-week program are afforded the opportunity to engage with their children throughout the week via tablets with structured curriculum for both mother and child, additional weekly video visits, as well as an extended day visitation in the reunification house twice a month. Mothers are coached on how to implement the skills and techniques learned from parenting curricula in a homelike environment. This experience fosters a level of confidence for the mother and comfort for the child. The home has been renovated to be child friendly and welcome families. 

The 2022 OAG Unsung Hero Award 

The agency’s Victim Services Director, Amber Leake, received the 2022 OAG Unsung Hero Award. This award recognizes individuals who provide outstanding service and support to victims of crime in the Commonwealth. The program was established in 2017 to acknowledge individuals across the state working tirelessly to aid victims in their recovery and healing, promote trauma-informed responses, challenge permissive or dismissive attitudes towards victims’ issues, and effect change. The VADOC Victim Services Unit’s dynamic team of eleven staff members serves victims statewide during the post-sentencing phase of the criminal justice system. Since the expansion in 2017, services to crime victims have increased by 178%, and victim requests for notification and services have increased by 61%. The team travels across Virginia to train local, state, and agency partners in the Victim Services Unit’s role in corrections and the post-conviction programming available to crime victims. The Unit also facilitates the Victim Impact Program using volunteer victim guest speakers to teach inmates and supervisees how crime impacts the community to help deter future criminal acts. 

Video Education Technology Installation 

Correctional Education has installed video education technology in 15 facilities across the state. Video technology teaches students in various subjects and can be shown on their housing unit and personal TVs at any time of the day. This approach engages more students who are not able to attend in-person class because of lockdowns or other class disruptions. It accelerates program completion for those students who can work independently. It also allows more flexibility with operations and schedule changes needed by wardens. 

Educational Learning Pods 

Corrections Education has created Educational Learning Pods in two facilities where students are placed in the same housing units. This initiative creates a 24-hour-a-day climate and supportive culture for learning and tutoring. It enables learning to occur directly in the pod so that inmates do not have to move to another location in the facility, such as school. This initiative expedites the learning process because of 24/7 access to instructional materials and tutors. 

Welding Program at Wise Correctional Unit and Mobile Welding Unit

Corrections Education has begun a partnership with Mountain Empire Community College at Wise Correctional Unit. Mountain Empire received a grant and offers welding training to inmates housed at Wise Correctional Unit.

VADOC unveiled a new, state-of-the-art "Education on the Move" mobile welding trailer on July 9, 2024, in Richmond. The trailer features six welding stations and six virtual reality welding simulators and will allow inmates and probationers to participate in training programs to learn a variety of welding skills.

The mobile welding trailer will be offered at Chesterfield Women's Community Corrections Alternative Program, Brunswick Community Corrections Alternative Program, and Nottoway and Deerfield work centers. Four traditional welding programs are also available at Appalachian Community Corrections Alternative Program, Coffeewood Correctional Center, Dillwyn Correctional Center, and State Farm Work Center for women.

Expansion of Mental Health Peer Specialist Pilot Project 

The Peer Specialist Pilot Project in Community Corrections has expanded under the direction of a new program coordinator at Mental Health America of Virginia. The original project started with three pilot sites in one district in each region, but COVID required virtual means to continue providing services. Subsequently, referrals are being made from the Eastern Region Districts, and additional districts have also been added in the Central and Western Regions. For facilities, three pilot sites were implemented and are on track for expansion in 2023.* Use of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services curriculum and trainer allows most inmate peer supporters to be eligible for certification upon release. 

VADOC & Community Services Boards Promote Recovery Through Connections 

VADOC partnered with the Virginia Community Service Board to hold a multi-agency summit to discuss co-occurring mental health, substance abuse, and trauma issues for the criminal justice population. The summit, entitled “Building Bridges Co-Occurring Community Treatment Summit on Criminal Justice Populations,” was designed to inspire hope for recovery, build connections, and enhance treatment for the individuals these agencies serve. 

Coding Program 

VADOC, in partnership with the non-profit organization Persevere, started a computer coding program in 2022 for 15 inmates at Virginia Correctional Center for Women. The year-long program offers inmates the opportunity to earn up to six industry certifications in coding. Upon completion of the program, the student class cohort and VADOC will work with Persevere to connect participants with employers in the coding industry.   

*Source: Agency At A Glance Report, March 2023. 

• Provide requisite training and equipment to perform job duties while enhancing skills.

• Provide a safe environment.

• Effectively house and supervise inmates.

• Effectively house and supervise Community Corrections Alternative Programs (CCAP) supervisees.

• Effectively supervise probationers and parolees.

• Leverage technology for enhanced supervision.

• Use appropriate risk and needs assessments.

• Provide effective prevention and mitigation strategies to address substance use and other unsafe behaviors.

• Use incentives, interventions, and sanctions to maintain accountability with our inmate and supervisee populations.

• Measure and evaluate performance across all activities and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Enhance staff's knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Leverage emerging and innovative research, trends, and technologies.

• Safeguard and manage fiscal resources.

• Safeguard and manage natural resources.

• Provide, develop, and support effective use of technology.

• Protect and build our data information resources.

• Communicate department successes and challenges with staff.

• Communicate department successes and challenges with state government.

• Communicate department successes and challenges local and federal government partners.

• Communicate department successes and challenges with public and stakeholder groups.

• Promote VADOC as an employer of choice

• Seek a larger pool of qualified applicants.

• Employ a diverse workforce.

• Foster a safe and inclusive culture where employees feel valued.

• Recognize and celebrate employee success.

• Provide employees with training and development opportunities.

• Promote new and existing opportunities for career advancement.

• Develop and enhance opportunities for mentoring and coaching.

• Ensure leaders are equipped to provide a culture of respect, trust, and accountability.

• Provide opportunities for improving overall wellness.

• Provide programs and services aimed to support the mental health of corrections professionals.

• Increase Reentry Council engagement.

• Promote the employment of previously incarcerated individuals and supervisees.

• Enhance collaborative activities and partnerships.

• Provide a roadmap to maximize utilization of programs and services.

• Improve technology capabilities to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and services.

• Provide increased opportunities to inmates and supervisees based on risks and needs.

In accordance with the Executive Reorganization Plan submitted by the Governor, the adult education function of the Department of Correctional Education (DCE) has merged into VADOC. This service area provides instruction to adults in Career and Technical Education, Apprenticeship Training, and Industry Certifications and Licensure. 

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  Career and Technical Education - offers training in 36 different trade areas to adult inmates assigned to the state’s adult correctional facilities (to include Correctional Field Units, Community Corrections Alternative Programs, and Detention Centers). Each program is designed to provide the student with the required job tasks and employability skills that will allow them to obtain and maintain employment when released from the facilities. 

  
  

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  The Apprenticeship Program provides an opportunity for students to advance their basic trade skills by working in a job setting under the supervision of a skilled tradesman. Students also receive related theory and academic instruction to further their knowledge as it applies to a specific trade area. All apprentices are registered with Virginia Works and must comply with all state and federal regulations. 

  
  

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  Industry Based Certification and Licensing Programs provide an opportunity as part of our CTE programs to earn national and regional certifications and licenses for completion of certification exams and programs. These certifications and licenses better prepare students for employment opportunities post release. All licensing programs are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Department of Professional and Occupation Regulations (DPOR). The industry certifications are certified through the organization issuing the credential.

  
  

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Products and services will include the provision of comprehensive Career and Technical Education programs, Industry-Based Certification programs, and licensing programs.   

Funding for this function consists of $13,234,500 in FY2025 and FY2026, made up of both state general funds and federal funds. 

In accordance with the Executive Reorganization Plan submitted by the Governor, the adult education function of the Department of Correctional Education (DCE) has merged into VADOC. DCE no longer exists as a separate agency.  

This service area provides instruction to adults at six educational functional levels as outlined by the National Reporting System (NRS), with pathways to High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation and attainment. It also offers special education services, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, low literacy programs, and accommodations for diverse learning needs. Additionally, it supports Postsecondary Educational Programs by managing contracts with various higher education institutions, overseeing grants, and handling student enrollment. This service area also assesses and identifies readiness to enter the workforce successfully upon release. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

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  Identify students’ learning needs and monitor instructional gains through the administration of adult education assessment, i.e., TABE or CASAS.  

  
  


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  Diverse instructional services to meet the needs of students and comply with state mandates. 

  
  


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  GED® testing for students that meet the criteria. 

  
  


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  Special education services to individuals 22 and under with learning and\or physical disabilities incarcerated in adult correctional facilities. 

  
  


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  Accommodation services for students who have identified disabilities that creates a barrier to learning.  

  
  


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  Library services to all adult inmates. 

  
  


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  Professional development training for all school librarians and instructional staff. 

  
  


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  Training and certification for all eligible inmate tutors. 

  
  


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  Technical assistance to all school staff, for example, instructional strategies, observations, and professional development. 

  
  


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  Current educational technology, software and curriculum materials. 

  
  


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  Workforce readiness assessment through the ACT® WorkKeys™ assessment, which may result in the issuance of a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) for those who meet certain levels of workforce readiness. 

  
  


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  English as a second language services in Spanish to Spanish-speaking adult inmates, with detainer orders, in eleven facilities. 

  
  


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  English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction to adult inmates with limited services available at all facilities. 

  
  


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  Create and maintain contracts with various higher education institutions to offer college programming to students at different level institutions. 

  
  

Funding for this function consists of $14,358,178 in FY2025 and FY2026, made up of both state general funds and federal funds.

In accordance with the Executive Reorganization Plan submitted by the Governor, the adult education function of the Department of Correctional Education (DCE) has merged into VADOC. DCE no longer exists as a separate agency. Funding for this particular function consists of $7,105,196 in state general funds. 

This service area provides instructional leadership, support staff services, maintenance, and operational money. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The provision of leadership, administration, and program support that meet the needs of adult learners in the correctional setting. 

The Department of Correctional Education no longer exists as a separate agency and its adult services have been merged into VADOC. The majority of VADOC’s and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

This activity enables VADOC to investigate and supervise sentenced felons and multi-misdemeanants. P&P Services provides professional supervision of the supervisee in the community under conditions of Probation, Post-Release or Parole, and special conditions as set by the Court or the Parole Board. Parole was abolished for felonies committed on or after January 1, 1995, but over 75% of the “no parole” inmates have supervised probation following incarceration. Utilization of evidence-based practices will enhance officers’ ability to perform their duties while providing supervisees with strategies which will increase the likelihood of successful reentry. Duties include: case supervision, surveillance, assuring safety and security of staff, providing transitional services to inmates returning to communities, home visits, investigations and other work in support of the Courts, arrest record checks, urinalysis, referral to or direct provision of treatment services, maximizing the use of technology, and support for transfer of supervision to other localities or states. The objectives of these services are to assure that a supervisee does not pose a threat to the community, to offer supervisees opportunities to modify behavior and attitudes, and to effect positive changes in supervisees through intervention and supervision. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Implementation of Judicial Orders and Parole Board decisions; Supervision of state responsible probationers and parolees.

The majority of VADOC’s and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. Approximately $1.2 million in non-general funds provided for supplemental salary appropriation for localities and funding for Certified Substance Abuse Counselor operations as well as approximately $400 thousand for correctional activities supported with federal funds.

The Community Residential Programs (CRP) are available to eligible Inmates, Probationers, and Parolees. VADOC collaborates with ten CRP vendors, operating 13 houses across the state, providing 247 beds for men, women, and individuals with various offense histories. If a probationer is currently in the community and their residence is not conducive to success during Probation/Parole or post-release supervision, they should consult their Probation Officer about the CRP and its availability. CRPs include any group home, halfway house, or other non-restrictive facilities that provide housing, treatment, or care for adult Probationers and Parolees. The goal of the Community Residential Program is to facilitate a smooth transition to the community, regardless of the availability of a stable home or family support. 

Eligible candidates include Inmates being released without a viable home plan and Probationers/Parolees already in the community who may or may not have a violent history, are mentally and physically capable, meet facility criteria, and can be admitted to the program. Participants can receive supervised housing for up to 90 days, with the potential for an extension of up to six months. The programs offer a variety of services, including life skills training, financial assistance, transportation support, counseling, and health and mental health services. Placement in a Community Residential Program can occur regardless of jurisdiction, crime, or regional availability. Probation Officers and counselors are knowledgeable about the referral process. All bed utilization referrals must come from VADOC personnel (counselors, Probation/Parole officers, or Community Release staff). 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Implementation of Judicial Orders and Parole Board decisions. Supervision of state responsible probationers and parolees.

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

This activity within VADOC involves Community Corrections Administration. The services provided include planning, management and direction of the Division at the central office and three (3) administrative regions, staff support to the Parole Board, tracking absconders, contract preparation and monitoring, policy and procedure development, budget management, and processing parole violations. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Administration of Public Safety services, Internal and external integration of agency and stakeholders, Management and Coordination of services for the Judiciary, the Community and the Parole Board.

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds.

The appropriation in this item shall be used to pay the Commonwealth’s share of the costs to construct, renovate, or expand a local correctional facility. After reviewing requests for reimbursement, VADOC shall reimburse the Commonwealth’s share of costs approved by the Board of Corrections for Franklin County Jail – Security enhancements. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services.

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

Community Corrections Alternative Programs (CCAPs) offer an alternative to incarceration, giving probationers and parolees the opportunity to engage in treatment, education, vocational training, and employment in a structured setting in order to promote long-lasting public safety. Two recent changes affecting CCAPs include HB 1268 legislation and the implementation of the Recovery Court CCAP Pathway. VADOC expects the numbers of supervisees in CCAPs to increase this year. Also, the closure of Stafford CCAP increases supervisee numbers at the remaining CCAP sites for men in Virginia: Appalachian CCAP, Brunswick CCAP, Cold Springs CCAP, and Harrisonburg CCAP.  

HB 1268 passed and went into effect 7/1/2024. The probation officer (PO) now has the authority to request a CCAP evaluation prior to the violation court hearing; therefore, they do not have to wait for the judge to order the evaluation. This does not change the fact that the probationer must still be sentenced to the CCAP program, or other factors in the legislation; it only changes that VADOC can have the person evaluated if the probationer appears to be a good candidate for the program prior to waiting for the judge to order it. Referrals will still be made to the CCAP Referral Unit by the PO. 

The VADOC CCAP program has partnered with circuit court judges across the Commonwealth to address the increasing need for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services by creating a new Recovery Court Pathway initiative.  

Prior to this new pathway, recovery courts with limited local resources focused on outpatient treatment services. Now, with the Recovery Court Pathway initiative, these courts will be able to refer their participants for intensive residential SUD services as a continuum of care. The CCAP Recovery Court Pathway program lasts 24 weeks, providing a wide variety of services, including SUD programs, cognitive programming, anger management programming, vocational skills training, and education. These services are available at all five CCAP facilities in Virginia. POs provide regular participant progress reports to the court and video check-ins when requested. After successful completion of their programming, probationers are returned to their designated recovery court to continue with supervision and outpatient services. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services.

Administration of Public Safety Services, Internal and external integration of agency and stakeholders, Management and coordination of services for the Judiciary, the Community and the Parole Board.

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

This activity within VADOC provides a safe and controlled environment for the probate population and staff within community facilities, and for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Duties within this activity include in-service training for officers (Corrections Officer through Corrections Major), rotation of officers through posts within the community program and on the perimeter, supervision, transportation and surveillance of the probate population, employee and visitor searches, installation and maintenance of security equipment, uniform weaponry use, key control, tool control, participant counts, and constant communication. Other supporting tasks include maintenance and enforcement of guidelines and procedures, treatment program support, providing adequate supplies, materials and equipment to implement the activity, providing probates pay for hours worked, providing security audits to assure compliance with guidelines, and maintenance of post audits to assure proper assignment of security personnel. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Implementation of Judicial Orders and Parole Board decisions, Supervision of state responsible probationers and parolees.

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. $900,000 in non-general funds is provided for insurance recoveries for Community Corrections and appropriation for probationer to reimburse CCAPs for operating costs. 

Within VADOC, Community Corrections Alternative Programs (CCAP) house non-violent felon supervisees and provide a range of evidence-based programs to serve these supervisees, who are referred to specific centers by the Courts or Parole Board. Services require that supervisees meet eligibility criteria, be mentally and physically able to do activities of daily living, and be suitable for a minimum-security environment. Services include remedial education, substance abuse education, life skills (e.g., job readiness), parenting and other special topic groups, support for employment in the private sector, community service, and urinalysis to detect drug abuse. The stay of a successful supervisee in a CCAP ranges from four to six months. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Implementation of Judicial Orders and Parole Board decisions. Supervision of state responsible probationers and parolees.

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

VADOC maintains five residential community corrections alternative program (CCAP) facilities for probationers and parolees whose identified risks and needs cannot be addressed while on standard probation or parole supervision and who are committed to VADOC under §19.2-316.4.

Medical services are provided by nurses and contract physicians (as needed) along with the costs of laboratory testing, medical supplies, and medical materials. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Medical Services.

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds.

Within VADOC, nutritionally balanced and wholesome meals contribute to the health and wellbeing of all individuals served. Cost control methods are used to provide a food service program consistent with VADOC standards. Due to institutional needs, some kitchens operate up to 24 hours each day. Duties within this activity include: 

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  preparation of 3 meals per day for all supervisees  

  
  

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  acquisition and proper storage of food and other supplies 

  
  

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  management of adequate and trained food service staff 

  
  

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  maintenance of food service equipment which meets Departmental standards 

  
  

• 
  

  providing guidance and training in food and dietary services 

  
  

• 
  

  evaluating meal preparation and services at correctional institutions 

  
  

• 
  

  establishing a uniform system of food preparation through cycle menus and standardized recipes 

  
  

• 
  

  establishing job details for inmate food service personnel 

  
  

• 
  

  providing guidance to various procurement agencies and units regarding the needs of VADOC 

  
  

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  providing emergency equipment for food preparation and services monitoring food usage at each institution to evaluate efficiencies and limit waste 

  
  

• 
  

  maintaining a food inventory control system with monthly reviews of operational costs. 

  
  

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Food Services follow a statewide, 28-day menu cycle which is reviewed every year and is approved by a Registered Dietitian. VADOC provides job training for inmates as cooks, bakers, vegetable preparers, and many other related jobs. Food Services is the largest employer of inmates within VADOC. 

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds.

As of August 2024, VADOC provides a safe, secure, and constitutionally adequate environment for the supervision and custody of approximately 89,000 state responsible inmates and supervisees, as well as a workplace for approximately 10,437 VADOC employees. VADOC’s oldest correctional facilities were constructed prior to the 1950s and require extensive maintenance efforts to extend useful life. Activities that provide an appropriate physical environment also provide daily jobs and training for many inmates and keep these inmates occupied constructively. Duties and tasks within this activity include: providing coordination and maintenance services for VADOC’s facilities according to required local, state, and federal standards; providing electricity and other contractual services necessary to operate the physical plant, planning, scheduling and operation of all major maintenance projects in accord with a system of regular inspections; procurement of supplies, material, equipment and services; and provision and training of staff with appropriate technical skills. VADOC cannot afford to shut down a facility or compromise public safety due to inadequate maintenance. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Providing coordination and maintenance services for facilities according to required local, state, and federal standards. 

The majority of the Department of Corrections’ and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds.

This service area was utilized for contractual comprehensive healthcare. VADOC has assumed management of inmate medical care at all VADOC facilities, so no comprehensive contractual services are being utilized. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services.

Contracted Comprehensive Medical services.

This service area was utilized for contractual comprehensive healthcare. VADOC has assumed management of inmate medical care at all VADOC facilities, so no comprehensive contractual services are being utilized.

Within VADOC, medical treatment activity provides all inmates in VADOC-operated prisons with medical treatment through Department or outside health care providers, including contract psychiatric services. This program area covers community based medical specialists providing medical care to VADOC inmates as part of the standard medical care given. This includes medical care at hospitals, off-site clinics, and telemedicine visits with off-site providers. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Community Specialist Medical Care 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. Non-general federal funding in the amount of approximately $900,000 in appropriation is provided through the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) and directed to offset a portion of Medical and Clinical Services costs.

Within VADOC, the pharmacy program provides pharmaceutical medications to all inmates for treatment of all conditions. This covers the pharmacy program for all VADOC facilities. Activities include all over-the-counter medication dispensing, prescription dispensing, hepatitis C treatment, HIV treatment, and other specialty medications. This includes provision of medication through the primary pharmacy contract, in addition to pharmacy provided by VCU Health System through the 340B program for high-cost specialty medications. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Pharmacy Services.

Within VADOC, medical treatment activity provides all inmates in VADOC-operated prisons with medical treatment through Department or outside health care providers, including contract psychiatric services. This category covers all health care costs provided on-site at the facilities including dental treatment. The efforts also include use of supplies and equipment directly associated with health services. Some of the tasks within this program include ambulatory care, skilled level of care, inpatient acute care, and emergency care. Medical services are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. VADOC’s dental treatment activity provides a range of dental services designed to maintain or improve the inmate's oral health. These efforts include staff, supplies, and equipment directly associated with dental services. Routine and emergency dental care is provided and includes preventive and hygiene services, restorative services, oral surgery, endodontics (root canals), and prosthetic (denture) services. Each inmate is provided a mandatory dental examination and dental classification at VADOC’s reception centers. Staff is on call twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week for emergency service, if needed. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Comprehensive provision of medical, dental, and psychiatric services. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. Non-general federal funding in the amount of approximately $1.4 million in appropriation is provided through the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) and directed to offset a portion of Medical and Clinical Services costs. Additional non-general fund appropriation is provided for opioid abatement and ARPA funding. 

This activity within VADOC provides a safe and controlled environment for the inmate population and staff within all adult correctional facilities and for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Duties within this activity include in-service training for officers (Corrections Officer through Corrections Major), rotation of officers through posts within the institution and on the perimeter, supervision and surveillance of the inmate population, employee and visitor searches, installation and maintenance of security equipment, uniform weaponry use, key control, tool control, and constant communication. Other supporting tasks include maintenance and enforcement of division and institutional guidelines and procedures, providing adequate supplies, materials and equipment to implement the activity, providing inmate pay for hours worked, providing security audits to assure compliance with guidelines, and maintenance of post audits to assure proper assignment of security personnel. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Through this activity, VADOC provides a safe and controlled environment for inmates, VADOC staff, and citizens of the Commonwealth. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. Approximately $1 million is provided in non-general funds supported by Virginia Correctional Enterprise revenue and $300,000 is provided for Faith-Based Services. 

VADOC maintains evidence-based prison programs that provide inmates with opportunities to learn coping skills and change criminal behavior, while supporting the security mission of VADOC by constructively occupying otherwise idle time. A range of programs are offered to meet various inmate needs, including but not limited to substance use, anger management, cognitive-behavioral curricula, life skills, reentry preparation, and sex offender treatment. Inmate case-management services are also provided. Additionally, included in this service area is the Sex Offender Residential Treatment (SORT) Program, which provides comprehensive assessment and treatment services to inmates who have been identified as being at moderate to high risk for sexual reoffending. The SORT Program utilizes techniques which have been shown to have the greatest likelihood of reducing reoffending behavior. Although the program recognizes that there is no cure for sex offending behavior, the goal of the program is to enhance the safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth by teaching skills to identified sex offenders in an effort to prevent relapse. Because VADOC is dedicated to providing services of the highest quality, evaluation and monitoring of the program will be on-going with changes made as necessary to ensure state-of-the-art programming. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Inmate programming.

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. Approximately $1.9 million in non-general funds is provided for clinical social workers to support reentry efforts, VADOC's Culinary Arts Program, Assisting Families of Inmates, Faith-Based Services, and the Pen Pals Program.

This activity within VADOC includes the administrative management and direction for the institutions at three levels: centrally, regionally, and in the institutions themselves. Central direction includes such items as overall security planning and statewide reentry planning, and evidence-based program implementation. VADOC has three regions with each having a regional office set-up that interprets and implements central policy. At the institution level, the Wardens’ Office and the business office are considered administrative support, along with human resource functions and the Ombudsman. This function additionally includes linen and laundry services, which provide clean linen and serves the fundamental purpose of personal hygiene and clean sleeping areas while providing work opportunities for the inmates. Lastly, VADOC provides recreational opportunities at all facilities that house inmates. Gymnasiums, sports equipment, inside recreational space and, in some cases, structured recreational programs, are key resources for this program. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Employees are provided with policy and program implementation guidance. Employees in each region have access to human resource information and the inmates in the facilities have access to information regarding their inmate pay accounts and the support of the local Ombudsman. Overall security planning; creation and enforcement of established Department procedures; policy interpretation and implementation; planning and statewide program preparation; budgeting; cash projections; monitoring inmate pay accounts; financial analysis; human resources; ombudsman; management of daily activities and functions. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

Within VADOC, nutritionally balanced and wholesome meals contribute to the health and wellbeing of all individuals served. Cost control methods are used to provide a food service program consistent with Department of Corrections’ standards. Due to institutional needs, some kitchens operate up to 24 hours each day. Duties within this activity include: 

• 
  

  preparation of nineteen meals per week for a population of almost 24,000 individuals 

  
  

• 
  

  acquisition and proper storage of food and other supplies 

  
  

• 
  

  management of adequate and trained food service staff 

  
  

• 
  

  maintenance of food service equipment which meets Departmental standards 

  
  

• 
  

  providing guidance and training in food and dietary services 

  
  

• 
  

  evaluating meal preparation and services at correctional institutions 

  
  

• 
  

  establishing a uniform system of food preparation through cycle menus and standardized recipes 

  
  

• 
  

  establishing job details for inmate food service personnel 

  
  

• 
  

  providing guidance to various procurement agencies and units regarding VADOC needs 

  
  

• 
  

  providing emergency equipment for food preparation and services 

  
  

• 
  

  monitoring food usage at each institution to evaluate efficiencies and limit waste 

  
  

• 
  

  maintaining a food inventory control system with monthly reviews of operational costs. 

  
  

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The Food Services Unit serves approximately 70,000 meals for inmates and 10,000 meals for staff per day, and approximately 34,500,000 meals a year. Food Services follow a statewide, 28-day menu cycle that is reviewed every year and is approved by a Registered Dietitian. VADOC provides job training for inmates as cooks, bakers, vegetable preparers, and many other related jobs. Food Services is the largest employer of inmates within VADOC. 

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

This activity within VADOC incorporates the functions of dairy operations, meat processing, hydroponics, fruit and vegetable farming, fish farming, DOC Market (produce distribution center), sawmills, gristmill, kosher meal plants, and a flash freeze plant. Additionally, activities support the staff, supplies, and equipment directly associated with operating agricultural programs at select major institutions, field units, and work centers. By diversifying, VADOC avoids the higher cost of purchasing food totally on the open market. Inmates are also provided with work opportunities and associated skills. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The livestock (beef) function is operating at Bland, Brunswick, Buckingham, Coffeewood, Deerfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Green Rock, Harrisonburg, Halifax, State Farm, Marion, Nottoway, Pamunkey Farm, Baskerville, White Post Unit #7, Chatham Unit #15, and Patrick Henry Unit #28. Halifax Unit #23 has goats, and Deerfield has a swine operation. Grade A milk and ice cream production takes place at State Farm. Fruit and vegetable operations are located at Bland, Brunswick, Caroline, Green Rock, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Pamunkey, Deerfield, Baskerville, Cold Springs, Halifax, Dinwiddie, Yarden Farm, River North, and Wise Unit #18. There are also apple orchards at Lunenburg, River North, and Wise Unit #18. The DOC Market (produce distribution center) handles and distributes all produce used by VADOC's Food Service. Produce grown by VADOC farms include butternut and yellow squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce, string beans, leafy greens, etc. The produce freeze plant operates year-round. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. $50,000 in non-general funds is provided to support the Greener Pastures Program.

Virginia Correctional Enterprises (VCE) was created by the General Assembly in 1934. VCE operates as an internal service fund and division of VADOC. VCE is self-supporting and is designated as a mandatory source for state agencies, supported in whole or in part by the General Fund. VCE manufactures goods and produces services that can be purchased by state and local governments, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations. VCE’s primary purpose is to prepare inmates for successful reentry through the manufacture of goods and services produced. As a result, VCE positively reduces inmate idleness by employing 800 inmates in meaningful and productive work at 17 operations at 11 VADOC institutions, reducing inmate re-offense risks through job and skills training. Participation in VCE programming increases safety for staff and inmates within Virginia prisons and promotes long-term public safety for Virginia communities.

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Wood and metal office furniture, dormitory furniture, modular office systems, seating products, metal outdoor products, vehicle conversion, institutional clothing and textiles, document conversion, signs, printing, vehicle license plates, silkscreen and embroidered products, prescription eyewear, recycled ink and toner cartridges, and janitorial products. 

This Service Area is completely funded through the non-general fund revenue created from Virginia Correctional Enterprises’ sale of products and services.

As of August 2024, VADOC provides a safe, secure, and constitutionally adequate environment for the supervision and custody of approximately 89,000 state responsible inmates, as well as a workplace for approximately10,347 VADOC employees. VADOC’s oldest correctional facilities were constructed prior to the 1950s and require extensive maintenance efforts to extend useful life. Activities that provide an appropriate physical environment also provide daily jobs and training for many inmates and keep these inmates occupied constructively. Duties and tasks within this activity include: providing coordination and maintenance services for VADOC facilities according to required local, state, and federal standards; providing electricity and other contractual services necessary to operate the physical plant; planning, scheduling, and operation of all major maintenance projects in accord with a system of regular inspections; procurement of supplies, material, equipment, and services; and provision and training of staff with appropriate technical skills. VADOC cannot afford to shut down a facility or compromise public safety due to inadequate maintenance. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Providing coordination and maintenance services for facilities according to required local, state, and federal standards.

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. This initiative has approximately $400,000 in appropriation provided from recyclable materials, surplus supplies, and equipment, as well as insurance recoveries and $139,000 in ARPA funding. 

Provides General Management and Direction for VADOC.

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. The non-general fund in this program includes appropriation of $1 million to provide a line of credit to manage federal grant related expenses, $165,000 appropriation for the drug offender assessment fund, and approximately $487,000 for opioid abatement funding. 

Provides Information Technology Services for VADOC. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. The non-general fund in this program includes appropriation of $5.2 million for the Contract Prisoners Special Revenue Fund for implementation of an electronic health records system for all facilities and approximately $200,000 in miscellaneous non-general fund appropriation. 

Provides Accounting and Budgeting Services for VADOC. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and all this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

Provides Architecture and Engineering Services for VADOC.

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. The non-general fund in this program includes funds for Capital Construction operations and Warranty Overhead funding. 

Provides Jail Regulation, Inspections, and Investigations for VADOC. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and all this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. 

Provides Human Resources Services for VADOC. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and all this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds.  

Provides Planning and Evaluation Services for VADOC. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services.  

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. The non-general fund in this program includes $100,000 in miscellaneous non-general fund appropriation.  

Provides Procurement and Distribution Services for VADOC. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds. The non-general fund in this program includes $155 in miscellaneous non-general fund appropriation.  

Provides staff training according to required state and federal standards. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

The majority of VADOC's and all this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds.  

This activity includes the administrative management and direction for Inmate Classification and Time Computation. 

This service area directly aligns with VADOC's mission of ensuring public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. 

Overall state-wide management and direction for all functions of VADOC to include inmate classification and time computation. 

The majority of VADOC's and all of this Service Area’s funding is provided through general funds.