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Virginia Board
of Local & Regional Jails

The Board of Local and Regional Jails is made up of nine members who are appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the general assembly. The role of the board is to establish standards and guidelines for local and regional jails that are designed to guarantee the health, safety, and welfare of staff and offenders under its jurisdiction. The board formally meets a minimum of six times per year. Each board member may serve up to two four-year terms.

Responsibilities

In accordance with Title 53.1, Chapter 1 of the Code of Virginia, the Board of Local and Regional Jails will assume the following responsibilities and duties:

  • Icon for Operational and Fiscal Oversight

    Operational and Fiscal Oversight

    The Board is responsible for developing and establishing operational and fiscal standards governing the operation of local and regional jails.

    Code of Virginia Title 53.1-5
  • Icon for Regulatory Governance

    Regulatory Governance

    The Board is responsible for creating rules and regulations that may be necessary to implement the standards that govern local and regional jails.

    Code of Virginia Title 53.1-5
  • Icon for Public Outreach

    Public Outreach

    The Board helps to develop programs that educate citizens and bring about public support for the activities of the Virginia Department of Corrections.

    Code of Virginia Title 53.1-5
  • Icon for Review of Inmate Deaths

    Review of Inmate Deaths

    The Board is responsible for the review of inmate deaths that occur in any local or regional jail.

    Code of Virginia Title 53.1-5
  • Icon for Health Care Minimum Standards

    Health Care Minimum Standards

    The Board establishes minimum standards for health care services, including medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health services, in local and regional jails.

    Code of Virginia Title 53.1-5

Meetings

Board meetings and subcommittee meetings are held at the Virginia Department of Corrections Headquarters, 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23225 unless otherwise noted on the schedule. Meetings are open to the public and meeting announcements are posted to the Regulatory Town Hall website. Minutes are taken at each meeting, and approved minutes are posted below.

Board Members

The Board of Local and Regional Jails is made up of nine members who are selected based on qualifications and experience. Appointments are for four year terms, and no person can serve more than two full terms in a row. The Board is a public body, and neither the Board as a whole nor any of its individual members is employed by the Virginia Department of Corrections. The Board members are:

  • The Honorable Vernie W. Francis, Jr. (Chairman)
  • Bobby N. Vassar (Vice-chair)
  • John F. Anderson, Jr. (Secretary)
  • Oliva J. Garland, PhD
  • The Honorable Charles Jett
  • Karen Nicely, LPC
  • Joanne Peña
  • Heather Masters, MD, SFHM, FACP
  • Rev. Kevin L. Sykes

Legislative Reports

These are miscellaneous reports created to fulfill specific Virginia General Assembly requests.

Annual Death Review Reports

Per Title 53.1-5 of the Code of Virginia, the Board of Local and Regional Jails issues an annual report reviewing jail inmate deaths.

Best Practices for Jails

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Contact Us

Questions and concerns for the Board of Local and Regional Jails can be sent using the contact form.

* All fields are required.

Virginia Board of Local and Regional Jails
6900 Atmore Drive
Richmond, VA 23225
804-887-7850