{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-160.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-160.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-160.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-160.html"}],"law_id":85833,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85833,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160","catch_line":"Notice to be given upon prisoner release, escape, etc","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-265.1; 1980, c. 515; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 155; 1989, cc. 525, 652; 1993, c. 189; 1995, c. 687; 2007, cc. 94, 109; 2013, cc. 162, 209; 2015, c. 101.","full_text":"A\n\nPrior to the release or discharge of any prisoner, the Department shall have notice of the release or discharge delivered by first-class mail or by electronic means to the court that committed the person to the Department of Corrections and to the sheriff, chief of police, and attorney for the Commonwealth (i) of the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred, (ii) of the jurisdiction in which the person resided prior to conviction, and (iii), if different from clauses (i) and (ii), of the jurisdiction in which the person intends to reside subsequent to being released or discharged. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to, identification of the specific offense or offenses for which the prisoner had been sentenced, the term or terms of imprisonment imposed, and the date the prisoner was committed to the Department of Corrections.\n\t\t\tThe Department shall (a) have notice of the release or discharge of any prisoner delivered by first-class mail 15 days prior to any such occurrence, or by telephone if notice by first-class mail cannot be delivered 15 days prior to the occurrence; (b) give notice as soon as practicable following the transfer of any prisoner to a jail facility, a different prison facility, or any other correctional or detention facility by first-class mail or telephone; (c) give notice as soon as practicable by telephone upon the escape of a prisoner; and (d) give notice as soon as practicable by first-class mail upon the change of a prisoner’s name, to any victim, as defined in § 19.2-11.01, of the offense for which the prisoner was incarcerated or to any person designated in writing by the victim. Notice shall be given using the address and telephone number provided by the victim. For the purposes of this section, “prisoner” means a person sentenced to serve more than 30 days of incarceration or detention.B\n\nFifteen days prior to the release of any prisoner to an authorized work release program or release to attend a business, educational or other related community program, the Department shall give notice to (i) the attorney for the Commonwealth, (ii) the chief law-enforcement officer of the jurisdiction in which the work on release will be performed or attendance at an authorized program will be permitted, and (iii) any victim, as defined in § 19.2-11.01, of the offense for which the prisoner was incarcerated or any person designated in writing by the victim at the address or phone number provided by the victim.\n\t\t\tEvery notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth or to the chief law-enforcement officer shall include the name, address, and criminal history of the participating prisoner, and other information upon request. The transmission of information shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).C\n\nNotification under this section may be provided to a victim as defined in § 19.2-11.01 through the Virginia Statewide VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) System or other similar electronic or automated system.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach for the failure to give notice as provided in this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":307408,"text":"Prior to the release or discharge of any prisoner, the Department shall have notice of the release or discharge delivered by first-class mail or by electronic means to the court that committed the person to the Department of Corrections and to the sheriff, chief of police, and attorney for the Commonwealth (i) of the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred, (ii) of the jurisdiction in which the person resided prior to conviction, and (iii), if different from clauses (i) and (ii), of the jurisdiction in which the person intends to reside subsequent to being released or discharged. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to, identification of the specific offense or offenses for which the prisoner had been sentenced, the term or terms of imprisonment imposed, and the date the prisoner was committed to the Department of Corrections.\n\t\t\tThe Department shall (a) have notice of the release or discharge of any prisoner delivered by first-class mail 15 days prior to any such occurrence, or by telephone if notice by first-class mail cannot be delivered 15 days prior to the occurrence; (b) give notice as soon as practicable following the transfer of any prisoner to a jail facility, a different prison facility, or any other correctional or detention facility by first-class mail or telephone; (c) give notice as soon as practicable by telephone upon the escape of a prisoner; and (d) give notice as soon as practicable by first-class mail upon the change of a prisoner’s name, to any victim, as defined in § 19.2-11.01, of the offense for which the prisoner was incarcerated or to any person designated in writing by the victim. Notice shall be given using the address and telephone number provided by the victim. For the purposes of this section, “prisoner” means a person sentenced to serve more than 30 days of incarceration or detention.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":307409,"text":"Fifteen days prior to the release of any prisoner to an authorized work release program or release to attend a business, educational or other related community program, the Department shall give notice to (i) the attorney for the Commonwealth, (ii) the chief law-enforcement officer of the jurisdiction in which the work on release will be performed or attendance at an authorized program will be permitted, and (iii) any victim, as defined in § 19.2-11.01, of the offense for which the prisoner was incarcerated or any person designated in writing by the victim at the address or phone number provided by the victim.\n\t\t\tEvery notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth or to the chief law-enforcement officer shall include the name, address, and criminal history of the participating prisoner, and other information upon request. The transmission of information shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":307410,"text":"Notification under this section may be provided to a victim as defined in § 19.2-11.01 through the Virginia Statewide VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) System or other similar electronic or automated system.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach for the failure to give notice as provided in this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12913,"edition_id":1,"name":"Procedures Governing Parole","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12764,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","permalink":{"id":238979,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12913,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/4\/3","url":"\/53.1\/4\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12764,"edition_id":1,"name":"Probation and Parole","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":238889,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12764,"identifier":"4","token":"53.1\/4","url":"\/53.1\/4\/","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":81762,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-151","catch_line":"Eligibility for parole","url":"\/53.1-151\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-151","metadata":false},{"id":69796,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-152","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced for combinations of felony and misdemeanor offenses","url":"\/53.1-152\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-152","metadata":false},{"id":86338,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-153","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced to jails for more than twelve months","url":"\/53.1-153\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-153","metadata":false},{"id":67055,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-154","catch_line":"Times at which Virginia Parole Board to review cases","url":"\/53.1-154\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-154","metadata":false},{"id":59216,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-154.1","catch_line":"Authority of Director to recommend parole review; release upon review","url":"\/53.1-154.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-154.1","metadata":false},{"id":83495,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155","catch_line":"Investigation prior to release; transition assistance","url":"\/53.1-155\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155","metadata":false},{"id":75651,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155.1","catch_line":"Participation in residential community program prior to final release","url":"\/53.1-155.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155.1","metadata":false},{"id":72544,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-156","catch_line":"Period of parole; not counted as part of term","url":"\/53.1-156\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-156","metadata":false},{"id":70398,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-157","catch_line":"Parolees to comply with terms; furnishing copies","url":"\/53.1-157\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-157","metadata":false},{"id":61822,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-158","catch_line":"Release of prisoner subject to parole","url":"\/53.1-158\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-158","metadata":false},{"id":56156,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-159","catch_line":"Mandatory release on parole","url":"\/53.1-159\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-159","metadata":false},{"id":85833,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160","catch_line":"Notice to be given upon prisoner release, escape, etc","url":"\/53.1-160\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160","metadata":false},{"id":54025,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160.1","catch_line":"Department to give notice of Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry requirements to certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-160.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160.1","metadata":false},{"id":81252,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-161","catch_line":"Arrest and return of parolee; warrant; release pending adjudication of violation","url":"\/53.1-161\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-161","metadata":false},{"id":71659,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-162","catch_line":"Arrest of parolee without warrant; written statement","url":"\/53.1-162\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-162","metadata":false},{"id":73932,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-163","catch_line":"Parolee considered as escapee after issuance of warrant","url":"\/53.1-163\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-163","metadata":false},{"id":60291,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-164","catch_line":"Procedure for return of parolee","url":"\/53.1-164\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-164","metadata":false},{"id":66066,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-165","catch_line":"Revocation of parole; hearing; procedure for parolee in another state; appointment of attorney","url":"\/53.1-165\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-165","metadata":false},{"id":77539,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-165.1","catch_line":"Limitation on the application of parole statutes","url":"\/53.1-165.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-165.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56156,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-159","catch_line":"Mandatory release on parole","url":"\/53.1-159\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-159","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":54025,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160.1","catch_line":"Department to give notice of Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry requirements to certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-160.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-160\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1980, chapter 515; in 1982, chapter 636; in 1984, chapter 155; in 1989, chapters 525 and 652; in 1993, chapter 189; in 1995, chapter 687<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 94<\/a> and 109<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 162<\/a> and 209<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 101<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56192,"section_number":"19.2-11.01","catch_line":"Crime victim and witness rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-11.01\/"},{"id":77539,"section_number":"53.1-165.1","catch_line":"Limitation on the application of parole statutes","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-165.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56192,"section_number":"19.2-11.01","catch_line":"Crime victim and witness rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-11.01\/"},{"id":55569,"section_number":"2.2-3700","catch_line":"Short title; policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3700\/"}],"permalink":{"id":239025,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85833,"identifier":"53.1-160","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160","url":"\/53.1-160\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-160\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160","dublin_core":{"Title":"Notice to be given upon prisoner release, escape, etc","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-160","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Prior to the release or discharge of any prisoner<\/span>, the Department<\/span> shall have notice of the release or discharge delivered by first-class mail or by electronic means to the court<\/span> that committed the person to the Department<\/span> of Corrections and to the sheriff, chief of police, and attorney for the Commonwealth (i) of the jurisdiction<\/span> in which the offense<\/span> occurred, (ii) of the jurisdiction<\/span> in which the person resided prior to conviction<\/span>, and (iii), if different from clauses (i) and (ii), of the jurisdiction<\/span> in which the person intends to reside subsequent to being released or discharged. Such notice shall include, but not be limited to, identification of the specific offense<\/span> or offenses<\/span> for which the prisoner<\/span> had been sentenced, the term or terms of imprisonment imposed, and the date the prisoner<\/span> was committed to the Department<\/span> of Corrections.\n\t\t\tThe Department<\/span> shall (a) have notice of the release or discharge of any prisoner<\/span> delivered by first-class mail 15 days prior to any such occurrence, or by telephone if notice by first-class mail cannot be delivered 15 days prior to the occurrence; (b) give notice as soon as practicable following the transfer of any prisoner<\/span> to a jail facility, a different prison facility, or any other correctional or detention facility by first-class mail or telephone; (c) give notice as soon as practicable by telephone upon the escape of a prisoner<\/span>; and (d) give notice as soon as practicable by first-class mail upon the change of a prisoner<\/span>’s name, to any victim, as defined in § 19.2-11.01<\/a>, of the offense<\/span> for which the prisoner<\/span> was incarcerated or to any person designated in writing by the victim. Notice shall be given using the address and telephone number provided by the victim. For the purposes of this section, “prisoner<\/span>” means a person sentenced to serve more than 30 days of incarceration or detention. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Fifteen days prior to the release of any prisoner<\/span> to an authorized work release program or release to attend a business, educational or other related community program, the Department<\/span> shall give notice to (i) the attorney for the Commonwealth, (ii) the chief law<\/span>-enforcement officer of the jurisdiction<\/span> in which the work on release will be performed or attendance at an authorized program will be permitted, and (iii) any victim, as defined in § 19.2-11.01<\/a>, of the offense<\/span> for which the prisoner<\/span> was incarcerated or any person designated in writing by the victim at the address or phone number provided by the victim.\n\t\t\tEvery notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth or to the chief law<\/span>-enforcement officer shall include the name, address, and criminal history of the participating prisoner<\/span>, and other information upon request. The transmission of information shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notification under this section may be provided to a victim as defined in § 19.2-11.01<\/a> through the Virginia Statewide VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) System or other similar electronic or automated system.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach for the failure to give notice as provided in this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNOTICE TO BE GIVEN UPON PRISONER RELEASE, ESCAPE, ETC (\u00a7 53.1-160)\n\nA. Prior to the release or discharge of any prisoner, the Department shall have\nnotice of the release or discharge delivered by first-class mail or by\nelectronic means to the court that committed the person to the Department of\nCorrections and to the sheriff, chief of police, and attorney for the\nCommonwealth (i) of the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred, (ii) of the\njurisdiction in which the person resided prior to conviction, and (iii), if\ndifferent from clauses (i) and (ii), of the jurisdiction in which the person\nintends to reside subsequent to being released or discharged. Such notice shall\ninclude, but not be limited to, identification of the specific offense or\noffenses for which the prisoner had been sentenced, the term or terms of\nimprisonment imposed, and the date the prisoner was committed to the Department\nof Corrections.\n\t\t\tThe Department shall (a) have notice of the release or discharge of any\nprisoner delivered by first-class mail 15 days prior to any such occurrence, or\nby telephone if notice by first-class mail cannot be delivered 15 days prior to\nthe occurrence; (b) give notice as soon as practicable following the transfer of\nany prisoner to a jail facility, a different prison facility, or any other\ncorrectional or detention facility by first-class mail or telephone; (c) give\nnotice as soon as practicable by telephone upon the escape of a prisoner; and\n(d) give notice as soon as practicable by first-class mail upon the change of a\nprisoner’s name, to any victim, as defined in § 19.2-11.01, of the\noffense for which the prisoner was incarcerated or to any person designated in\nwriting by the victim. Notice shall be given using the address and telephone\nnumber provided by the victim. For the purposes of this section,\n“prisoner” means a person sentenced to serve more than 30 days of\nincarceration or detention.\n\nB. Fifteen days prior to the release of any prisoner to an authorized work\nrelease program or release to attend a business, educational or other related\ncommunity program, the Department shall give notice to (i) the attorney for the\nCommonwealth, (ii) the chief law-enforcement officer of the jurisdiction in\nwhich the work on release will be performed or attendance at an authorized\nprogram will be permitted, and (iii) any victim, as defined in §\n19.2-11.01, of the offense for which the prisoner was incarcerated or any person\ndesignated in writing by the victim at the address or phone number provided by\nthe victim.\n\t\t\tEvery notice to the attorney for the Commonwealth or to the chief\nlaw-enforcement officer shall include the name, address, and criminal history of\nthe participating prisoner, and other information upon request. The transmission\nof information shall be confidential and not subject to the Virginia Freedom of\nInformation Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).\n\nC. Notification under this section may be provided to a victim as defined in\n§ 19.2-11.01 through the Virginia Statewide VINE (Victim Information and\nNotification Everyday) System or other similar electronic or automated system.\n\t\t\tNo civil liability shall attach for the failure to give notice as provided in\nthis section.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-265.1; 1980, c. 515; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 155; 1989,\ncc. 525, 652; 1993, c. 189; 1995, c. 687; 2007, cc. 94, 109; 2013, cc. 162, 209;\n2015, c. 101.","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}}