Posts Tagged Virginia Department of Corrections

State lawmakers will consider a bill in 2024 that would make prison calls free

Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 1, 2023

Criminal justice will be a major topic of discussion when lawmakers return to the Capitol next month. Michael Pope tells us about a bill that would allow people who are incarcerated to make free telephone calls and emails.

Criminal Justice, General Assembly, General Assembly 2024, Virginia Department of Corrections

Prison inmate says she must sue for bathroom access

Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 11, 2023

An inmate at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women is suing — claiming guards restrict bathroom access for women in need. (Credit: Radio IQ)

Seven years ago, the state settled a lawsuit filed by women at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. They complained of inadequate medical care and reported being denied access to bathrooms. Cells at that prison do not contain toilets, so the state agreed to leave doors unlocked most of the time so prisoners could use the facilities.

Now, an inmate at the Women’s Correctional Center in Goochland is suing for the same right. Sandy Hausman reports.

Virginia Department of Corrections

The State of COVID-19 Vaccinations in Virginia’s Prisons

Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on April 5, 2021

It’s been more than a year since Virginia prisons locked down to try and stop the spread of COVID-19. The state has offered vaccine to every inmate, but restrictions are still in place and are unlikely to be lifted any time soon. In part one of a series, Sandy Hausman tells why.

Because the risk of a deadly COVID outbreak was especially high in state prisons, and because the disease could easily spread to surrounding communities through staff, inmates and employees were among the first Virginians to get vaccine. However, nearly a third of prisoners and more than 40% of staff have refused it. That means significant restrictions remain in place, and frustration behind bars is building as Sandy Hausman reports in part two.