{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-116.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-116.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-116.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-116.html"}],"law_id":66213,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66213,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116","catch_line":"What records and policy jailer shall keep; how time deducted or added for felons and misdemeanants; payment of fine and costs by person committed to jail until he pays","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-151; 1952, c. 218; 1972, c. 293; 1981, c. 278; 1982, c. 636; 1983, c. 561; 1984, c. 643; 1990, c. 934; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2; 1996, c. 556; 1998, c. 776; 1999, cc. 951, 1007; 2003, cc. 818, 820; 2004, cc. 400, 461; 2011, c. 491.","full_text":"A\n\nThe jailer shall keep a (i) record describing each person committed to jail, the terms of confinement, for what offense or cause he was committed, and when received into jail; (ii) record of each prisoner; and (iii) written policy stating the criteria for and conditions of earned credit in the facility and the revocation of such credit.\n\t\t\tUnless he is serving a mandatory minimum sentence of confinement, each prisoner sentenced to 12 months or less for a misdemeanor or any combination of misdemeanors shall earn good conduct credit at the rate of one day for each one day served, including all days served while confined in jail prior to conviction and sentencing, in which the prisoner has not violated the written rules and regulations of the jail.\n\t\t\tPrisoners eligible for parole under § 53.1-151, 53.1-152 or 53.1-153 shall earn good conduct credit at a rate of 15 days for each 30 days served with satisfactory conduct.\n\t\t\tThe jailer may grant the prisoner additional credits for performance of institutional work assignments, participation in classes, or participation in local work force programs, if available at the facility, at the rate of five days for every 30 days served. The time so deducted shall be allowed to each prisoner for such time as he is confined in jail. It shall be the responsibility of the jailer in each facility to determine the manner in which these additional credits may be awarded and to include this information in the written policy mandated by clause (iii) of this subsection.\n\t\t\tFor each violation of the rules prescribed herein, the time so deducted shall be added until it equals the full sentence imposed upon the prisoner by the court.\n\t\t\tHowever, any prisoner committed to jail upon a felony offense committed on or after January 1, 1995, shall not earn good conduct credit, sentence credit, earned sentence credit, other credit, or a combination of any credits in excess of that permissible under Article 4 (§ 53.1-202.2 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this title. So much of an order of any court contrary to the provisions of this section shall be deemed null and void.B\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of § 19.2-350, in the event a person who was committed to jail to be therein confined until he pays a fine imposed on him by the court in which he was tried should desire to pay such fine and costs, he may pay the same to the person in charge of the jail. The person receiving such moneys shall execute and deliver an official receipt therefor and shall promptly transmit the amount so paid to the clerk of the court which imposed the fine and costs. Such clerk shall give him an official receipt therefor and shall properly record the receipt of such moneys.C\n\nThe administrator of a local or regional jail shall not assign a person to a home\/electronic incarceration program pursuant to subsection C of § 53.1-131.2 in a locality which has a jail operated by a sheriff, without the consent of the sheriff.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":240492,"text":"The jailer shall keep a (i) record describing each person committed to jail, the terms of confinement, for what offense or cause he was committed, and when received into jail; (ii) record of each prisoner; and (iii) written policy stating the criteria for and conditions of earned credit in the facility and the revocation of such credit.\n\t\t\tUnless he is serving a mandatory minimum sentence of confinement, each prisoner sentenced to 12 months or less for a misdemeanor or any combination of misdemeanors shall earn good conduct credit at the rate of one day for each one day served, including all days served while confined in jail prior to conviction and sentencing, in which the prisoner has not violated the written rules and regulations of the jail.\n\t\t\tPrisoners eligible for parole under § 53.1-151, 53.1-152 or 53.1-153 shall earn good conduct credit at a rate of 15 days for each 30 days served with satisfactory conduct.\n\t\t\tThe jailer may grant the prisoner additional credits for performance of institutional work assignments, participation in classes, or participation in local work force programs, if available at the facility, at the rate of five days for every 30 days served. The time so deducted shall be allowed to each prisoner for such time as he is confined in jail. It shall be the responsibility of the jailer in each facility to determine the manner in which these additional credits may be awarded and to include this information in the written policy mandated by clause (iii) of this subsection.\n\t\t\tFor each violation of the rules prescribed herein, the time so deducted shall be added until it equals the full sentence imposed upon the prisoner by the court.\n\t\t\tHowever, any prisoner committed to jail upon a felony offense committed on or after January 1, 1995, shall not earn good conduct credit, sentence credit, earned sentence credit, other credit, or a combination of any credits in excess of that permissible under Article 4 (§ 53.1-202.2 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this title. So much of an order of any court contrary to the provisions of this section shall be deemed null and void.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":240493,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of § 19.2-350, in the event a person who was committed to jail to be therein confined until he pays a fine imposed on him by the court in which he was tried should desire to pay such fine and costs, he may pay the same to the person in charge of the jail. The person receiving such moneys shall execute and deliver an official receipt therefor and shall promptly transmit the amount so paid to the clerk of the court which imposed the fine and costs. Such clerk shall give him an official receipt therefor and shall properly record the receipt of such moneys.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":240494,"text":"The administrator of a local or regional jail shall not assign a person to a home\/electronic incarceration program pursuant to subsection C of § 53.1-131.2 in a locality which has a jail operated by a sheriff, without the consent of the sheriff.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13010,"edition_id":1,"name":"Duties of Sheriffs","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12847,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","permalink":{"id":238673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13010,"identifier":"6","token":"53.1\/3\/6","url":"\/53.1\/3\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12847,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Correctional Facilities","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":238281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12847,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/3","url":"\/53.1\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66213,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116","catch_line":"What records and policy jailer shall keep; how time deducted or added for felons and misdemeanants; payment of fine and costs by person committed to jail until he pays","url":"\/53.1-116\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116","metadata":false},{"id":84918,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1","catch_line":"Jailer to give notice of release of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-116.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1","metadata":false},{"id":54082,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1:01","catch_line":"Jailer to give notice of intake of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-116.1_01\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1_01","metadata":false},{"id":76275,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1:02","catch_line":"Jailer-issued identification","url":"\/53.1-116.1_02\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1_02","metadata":false},{"id":59367,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.2","catch_line":"Sheriffs to be keepers of jails","url":"\/53.1-116.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.2","metadata":false},{"id":56943,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.2:1","catch_line":"Jail superintendents to report certain acts of violence occurring within regional correctional facilities to law-enforcement agency; policies","url":"\/53.1-116.2_1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":76469,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.3","catch_line":"Improper release; capias, arrest and hearing","url":"\/53.1-116.3\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.3","metadata":false},{"id":77700,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-117","catch_line":"Violations of rules to be recorded in register","url":"\/53.1-117\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-117","metadata":false},{"id":83044,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-118","catch_line":"Courts to fine sheriffs for failure to perform duties","url":"\/53.1-118\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-118","metadata":false},{"id":70075,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-119","catch_line":"Court duties of sheriff","url":"\/53.1-119\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-119","metadata":false},{"id":81239,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-120","catch_line":"Sheriff to provide for courthouse and courtroom security; designation of deputies for such purpose; assessment","url":"\/53.1-120\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-120","metadata":false},{"id":54498,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-121","catch_line":"Sheriffs to make daily reports to Compensation Board; failure to send report","url":"\/53.1-121\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-121","metadata":false},{"id":64964,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-122","catch_line":"Daily records of sheriffs and jail superintendents","url":"\/53.1-122\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-122","metadata":false},{"id":62217,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-123","catch_line":"Other accounts, information and records as required by Department","url":"\/53.1-123\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-123","metadata":false},{"id":79685,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-124","catch_line":"Sheriffs and jail superintendents to report to the courts","url":"\/53.1-124\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-124","metadata":false},{"id":86449,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-125","catch_line":"Failure of sheriffs or jail superintendents to comply with requirements of board; filing of complaint; withholding salary","url":"\/53.1-125\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-125","metadata":false},{"id":63523,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-126","catch_line":"Responsibility of sheriffs and jail superintendents for food, clothing and medicine","url":"\/53.1-126\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-126","metadata":false},{"id":85147,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127","catch_line":"Who may enter interior of local correctional facilities; searches of those entering","url":"\/53.1-127\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127","metadata":false},{"id":74775,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.1","catch_line":"Establishment of stores in local correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-127.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.1","metadata":false},{"id":68530,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.2","catch_line":"Fees for telephonic communication systems and electronic visitation and messaging systems for prisoners in local correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-127.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.2","metadata":false},{"id":68077,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.3","catch_line":"Deferred or installment payment agreement for unpaid fees","url":"\/53.1-127.3\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.3","metadata":false},{"id":54523,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.4","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-127.4\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.4","metadata":false},{"id":77242,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.5","catch_line":"Collection of fees owed; contract for collection; duties of Department of Taxation","url":"\/53.1-127.5\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.5","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":84918,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1","catch_line":"Jailer to give notice of release of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-116.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-116\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 13 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 218; in 1972, chapter 293; in 1981, chapter 278; in 1982, chapter 636; in 1983, chapter 561; in 1984, chapter 643; in 1990, chapter 934; in 1996, chapter 556<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 776<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 951<\/a> and 1007<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 818<\/a> and 820<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 400<\/a> and 461<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 491<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61325,"section_number":"53.1-132","catch_line":"Furloughs from local work release programs; penalty for violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-132\/"},{"id":62482,"section_number":"53.1-187","catch_line":"Credit for time spent in confinement while awaiting trial","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-187\/"},{"id":69000,"section_number":"53.1-202","catch_line":"Good conduct allowance for previous confinement; entry level","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-202\/"},{"id":69536,"section_number":"53.1-37","catch_line":"Furloughs generally; travel expenses; penalties for violations","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-37\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":78545,"section_number":"19.2-350","catch_line":"When sheriff not to receive fines","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-350\/"},{"id":73781,"section_number":"53.1-131.2","catch_line":"Assignment to a home\/electronic incarceration program; payment to defray costs; escape; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-131.2\/"},{"id":81762,"section_number":"53.1-151","catch_line":"Eligibility for parole","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-151\/"},{"id":69796,"section_number":"53.1-152","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced for combinations of felony and misdemeanor offenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-152\/"},{"id":86338,"section_number":"53.1-153","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced to jails for more than twelve months","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-153\/"},{"id":56687,"section_number":"53.1-202.2","catch_line":"Eligibility for earned sentence credits","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-202.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":238675,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66213,"identifier":"53.1-116","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116","url":"\/53.1-116\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-116\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116","dublin_core":{"Title":"What records and policy jailer shall keep; how time deducted or added for felons and misdemeanants; payment of fine and costs by person committed to jail until he pays","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-116","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The jailer shall keep a (i) record describing each person committed to jail, the terms of confinement, for what offense<\/span> or cause he was committed, and when received into jail; (ii) record of each prisoner; and (iii) written policy stating the criteria for and conditions of earned credit in the facility and the revocation<\/span> of such credit.\n\t\t\tUnless he is serving a mandatory minimum sentence of confinement, each prisoner sentenced to 12 months or less for a misdemeanor<\/span> or any combination of misdemeanors<\/span> shall earn good conduct credit at the rate of one day for each one day served, including all days served while confined in jail prior to conviction<\/span> and sentencing, in which the prisoner has not violated the written rules and regulations of the jail.\n\t\t\tPrisoners eligible for parole<\/span> under § 53.1-151<\/a>, 53.1-152<\/a> or 53.1-153<\/a> shall earn good conduct credit at a rate of 15 days for each 30 days served with satisfactory conduct.\n\t\t\tThe jailer may grant the prisoner additional credits for performance of institutional work assignments, participation in classes, or participation in local work force programs, if available at the facility, at the rate of five days for every 30 days served. The time so deducted shall be allowed to each prisoner for such time as he is confined in jail. It shall be the responsibility of the jailer in each facility to determine the manner in which these additional credits may be awarded and to include this information in the written policy mandated by clause (iii) of this subsection.\n\t\t\tFor each violation of the rules prescribed herein, the time so deducted shall be added until it equals the full sentence imposed upon the prisoner by the court<\/span>.\n\t\t\tHowever, any prisoner committed to jail upon a felony<\/span> offense<\/span> committed on or after January 1, 1995, shall not earn good conduct credit, sentence credit, earned sentence credit, other credit, or a combination of any credits in excess of that permissible under Article 4 (§ 53.1-202.2<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this title. So much of an order<\/span> of any court<\/span> contrary to the provisions of this section shall be deemed null and void. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of § 19.2-350<\/a>, in the event a person who was committed to jail to be therein confined until he pays a fine imposed on him by the court<\/span> in which he was tried should desire to pay such fine and costs, he may pay the same to the person in charge of the jail. The person receiving such moneys shall execute and deliver an official receipt therefor and shall promptly transmit the amount so paid to the clerk of the court<\/span> which imposed the fine and costs. Such clerk shall give him an official receipt therefor and shall properly record the receipt of such moneys. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The administrator of a local or regional jail shall not assign a person to a home\/electronic incarceration program pursuant to subsection C of § 53.1-131.2<\/a> in a locality which has a jail operated by a sheriff, without the consent of the sheriff. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHAT RECORDS AND POLICY JAILER SHALL KEEP; HOW TIME DEDUCTED OR ADDED FOR FELONS\nAND MISDEMEANANTS; PAYMENT OF FINE AND COSTS BY PERSON COMMITTED TO JAIL UNTIL\nHE PAYS (\u00a7 53.1-116)\n\nA. The jailer shall keep a (i) record describing each person committed to jail,\nthe terms of confinement, for what offense or cause he was committed, and when\nreceived into jail; (ii) record of each prisoner; and (iii) written policy\nstating the criteria for and conditions of earned credit in the facility and the\nrevocation of such credit.\n\t\t\tUnless he is serving a mandatory minimum sentence of confinement, each\nprisoner sentenced to 12 months or less for a misdemeanor or any combination of\nmisdemeanors shall earn good conduct credit at the rate of one day for each one\nday served, including all days served while confined in jail prior to conviction\nand sentencing, in which the prisoner has not violated the written rules and\nregulations of the jail.\n\t\t\tPrisoners eligible for parole under § 53.1-151, 53.1-152 or 53.1-153\nshall earn good conduct credit at a rate of 15 days for each 30 days served with\nsatisfactory conduct.\n\t\t\tThe jailer may grant the prisoner additional credits for performance of\ninstitutional work assignments, participation in classes, or participation in\nlocal work force programs, if available at the facility, at the rate of five\ndays for every 30 days served. The time so deducted shall be allowed to each\nprisoner for such time as he is confined in jail. It shall be the responsibility\nof the jailer in each facility to determine the manner in which these additional\ncredits may be awarded and to include this information in the written policy\nmandated by clause (iii) of this subsection.\n\t\t\tFor each violation of the rules prescribed herein, the time so deducted shall\nbe added until it equals the full sentence imposed upon the prisoner by the\ncourt.\n\t\t\tHowever, any prisoner committed to jail upon a felony offense committed on or\nafter January 1, 1995, shall not earn good conduct credit, sentence credit,\nearned sentence credit, other credit, or a combination of any credits in excess\nof that permissible under Article 4 (§ 53.1-202.2 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of\nthis title. So much of an order of any court contrary to the provisions of this\nsection shall be deemed null and void.\n\nB. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 19.2-350, in the event a person who\nwas committed to jail to be therein confined until he pays a fine imposed on him\nby the court in which he was tried should desire to pay such fine and costs, he\nmay pay the same to the person in charge of the jail. The person receiving such\nmoneys shall execute and deliver an official receipt therefor and shall promptly\ntransmit the amount so paid to the clerk of the court which imposed the fine and\ncosts. Such clerk shall give him an official receipt therefor and shall properly\nrecord the receipt of such moneys.\n\nC. The administrator of a local or regional jail shall not assign a person to a\nhome\/electronic incarceration program pursuant to subsection C of §\n53.1-131.2 in a locality which has a jail operated by a sheriff, without the\nconsent of the sheriff.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-151; 1952, c. 218; 1972, c. 293; 1981, c. 278; 1982,\nc. 636; 1983, c. 561; 1984, c. 643; 1990, c. 934; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2;\n1996, c. 556; 1998, c. 776; 1999, cc. 951, 1007; 2003, cc. 818, 820; 2004, cc.\n400, 461; 2011, c. 491.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}