{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-69.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-69.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-69.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-69.1.html"}],"law_id":86587,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86587,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-69.1","catch_line":"Review of death of inmates in local, regional, or community correctional facilities","history":"2017, c. 759; 2020, c. 1287; 2025, c. 350.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Board shall have the power to review the death of any inmate who was incarcerated in a local, regional, or community correctional facility at the time of his death in order to determine (i) the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s death, including identifying any act or omission by the facility or any employee or agent thereof that may have directly or indirectly contributed to the inmate’s death, and (ii) whether the facility was in compliance with the regulations promulgated by the Board.B\n\nAny review conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with the policies and procedures for such review developed and implemented by the Board in accordance with subdivision 5 of § 53.1-5. In conducting a review pursuant to this section, the Board may exercise its power under § 53.1-6 to hold and conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, and administer oaths and take testimony thereunder. If the Board determines that it cannot adequately conduct any particular review pursuant to this section because of the conduct by the Board of another ongoing review, the Board may request that the Department assist in the conduct of such review. Department staff conducting a review pursuant to this section shall be considered agents of the Board.C\n\nIf the Board determines during the conduct of any review pursuant to this section that it is necessary to review the operation of an entity other than the local, regional, or community correctional facility in order to complete the review, the Board shall request that the Office of the State Inspector General review the operation of such entity if such entity falls within the authority vested in the Office of the State Inspector General pursuant to Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307 et seq.) of Title 2.2. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Office of the State Inspector General to exercise any of the powers and duties set forth in Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307 et seq.) of Title 2.2.D\n\nUpon completion of any review conducted pursuant to this section, the Board shall prepare a detailed report of the findings of any review, which shall be submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Such report may contain recommendations for changes to the minimum standards for the construction, equipment, administration, and operation of local correctional facilities in order to prevent problems, abuses, and deficiencies in and improve the effectiveness of such facilities. In addition, the Board may issue any order authorized under § 53.1-69 to correct any failure by the facility to comply with the Board’s regulations. Except as otherwise required by law, the Board shall maintain the confidentiality of any confidential records or information obtained from a facility during the course of a review in accordance with state and federal law.E\n\nThe Board shall publish an annual report that includes the following: (i) a summary of the reviews of the deaths of inmates that occur in any local, regional, or community correctional facility conducted in the prior year pursuant to this section, including any trends or similarities identified by such reviews; (ii) any recommendations for policy changes to reduce the number of inmate deaths; and (iii) any recommendations for changes to the policies and procedures for conducting reviews of the deaths of inmates to improve the operations, safety, and security of local, regional, or community correctional facilities. On or before July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, the Board shall publish such report on its website and submit the report to the Governor, the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services, the House Committee on Public Safety, and the House Committee for Courts of Justice, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the Senate.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":310121,"text":"The Board shall have the power to review the death of any inmate who was incarcerated in a local, regional, or community correctional facility at the time of his death in order to determine (i) the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s death, including identifying any act or omission by the facility or any employee or agent thereof that may have directly or indirectly contributed to the inmate’s death, and (ii) whether the facility was in compliance with the regulations promulgated by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":310122,"text":"Any review conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with the policies and procedures for such review developed and implemented by the Board in accordance with subdivision 5 of § 53.1-5. In conducting a review pursuant to this section, the Board may exercise its power under § 53.1-6 to hold and conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, and administer oaths and take testimony thereunder. If the Board determines that it cannot adequately conduct any particular review pursuant to this section because of the conduct by the Board of another ongoing review, the Board may request that the Department assist in the conduct of such review. Department staff conducting a review pursuant to this section shall be considered agents of the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":310123,"text":"If the Board determines during the conduct of any review pursuant to this section that it is necessary to review the operation of an entity other than the local, regional, or community correctional facility in order to complete the review, the Board shall request that the Office of the State Inspector General review the operation of such entity if such entity falls within the authority vested in the Office of the State Inspector General pursuant to Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307 et seq.) of Title 2.2. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Office of the State Inspector General to exercise any of the powers and duties set forth in Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307 et seq.) of Title 2.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":310124,"text":"Upon completion of any review conducted pursuant to this section, the Board shall prepare a detailed report of the findings of any review, which shall be submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Such report may contain recommendations for changes to the minimum standards for the construction, equipment, administration, and operation of local correctional facilities in order to prevent problems, abuses, and deficiencies in and improve the effectiveness of such facilities. In addition, the Board may issue any order authorized under § 53.1-69 to correct any failure by the facility to comply with the Board’s regulations. Except as otherwise required by law, the Board shall maintain the confidentiality of any confidential records or information obtained from a facility during the course of a review in accordance with state and federal law.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":310125,"text":"The Board shall publish an annual report that includes the following: (i) a summary of the reviews of the deaths of inmates that occur in any local, regional, or community correctional facility conducted in the prior year pursuant to this section, including any trends or similarities identified by such reviews; (ii) any recommendations for policy changes to reduce the number of inmate deaths; and (iii) any recommendations for changes to the policies and procedures for conducting reviews of the deaths of inmates to improve the operations, safety, and security of local, regional, or community correctional facilities. On or before July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, the Board shall publish such report on its website and submit the report to the Governor, the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services, the House Committee on Public Safety, and the House Committee for Courts of Justice, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the Senate.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15179,"edition_id":1,"name":"Establishment and Regulation of Facilities","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12847,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:44","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:44","permalink":{"id":238283,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15179,"identifier":"1","token":"53.1\/3\/1","url":"\/53.1\/3\/1\/","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":75446,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-68","catch_line":"Minimum standards for local correctional facilities and lock-ups; health inspections, behavioral health services inspections, and personnel","url":"\/53.1-68\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-68","metadata":false},{"id":69048,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-69","catch_line":"Board may prohibit confinement and require transfer of prisoners in substandard facilities","url":"\/53.1-69\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-69","metadata":false},{"id":86587,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-69.1","catch_line":"Review of death of inmates in local, regional, or community correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-69.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-69.1","metadata":false},{"id":67617,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-69.2","catch_line":"Administrative appeal of Board determinations","url":"\/53.1-69.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-69.2","metadata":false},{"id":83885,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-70","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of court to enforce orders of Board; proceedings","url":"\/53.1-70\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-70","metadata":false},{"id":80986,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-70.1","catch_line":"Transport of prisoners; authority","url":"\/53.1-70.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-70.1","metadata":false},{"id":57803,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-71","catch_line":"Courts to order jails erected and repaired","url":"\/53.1-71\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-71","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69048,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-69","catch_line":"Board may prohibit confinement and require transfer of prisoners in substandard facilities","url":"\/53.1-69\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-69","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":67617,"structure_id":15179,"section_number":"53.1-69.2","catch_line":"Administrative appeal of Board determinations","url":"\/53.1-69.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-69.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-69.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 759<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 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 2020, chapter 1287<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 350<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85635,"section_number":"53.1-1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-1\/"},{"id":85147,"section_number":"53.1-127","catch_line":"Who may enter interior of local correctional facilities; searches of those entering","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-127\/"},{"id":68225,"section_number":"53.1-6.1","catch_line":"Executive director; staff; compensation","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-6.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":83095,"section_number":"2.2-307","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-307\/"},{"id":78609,"section_number":"53.1-5","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-5\/"},{"id":59165,"section_number":"53.1-6","catch_line":"Board may administer oaths, conduct hearings, and issue subpoenas","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-6\/"},{"id":69048,"section_number":"53.1-69","catch_line":"Board may prohibit confinement and require transfer of prisoners in substandard facilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-69\/"}],"permalink":{"id":238293,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86587,"identifier":"53.1-69.1","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-69.1","url":"\/53.1-69.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-69.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/1\/53.1-69.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Review of death of inmates in local, regional, or community correctional facilities","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-69.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall have the power to review the death of any inmate who was incarcerated in a local, regional, or community correctional facility<\/span> at the time of his death in order<\/span> to determine (i) the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s death, including identifying any act or omission by the facility or any employee or agent thereof that may have directly or indirectly contributed to the inmate’s death, and (ii) whether the facility was in compliance with the regulations promulgated by the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any review conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted in accordance with the policies and procedures for such review developed and implemented by the Board<\/span> in accordance with subdivision 5 of § 53.1-5<\/a>. In conducting a review pursuant to this section, the Board<\/span> may exercise its power under § 53.1-6<\/a> to hold and conduct hearings<\/span>, issue<\/span> subpoenas<\/span>, and administer oaths<\/span> and take testimony<\/span> thereunder. If the Board<\/span> determines that it cannot adequately conduct any particular review pursuant to this section because of the conduct by the Board<\/span> of another ongoing review, the Board<\/span> may request that the Department<\/span> assist in the conduct of such review. Department<\/span> staff conducting a review pursuant to this section shall be considered agents of the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the Board<\/span> determines during the conduct of any review pursuant to this section that it is necessary to review the operation of an entity other than the local, regional, or community correctional facility<\/span> in order<\/span> to complete the review, the Board<\/span> shall request that the Office of the State Inspector General review the operation of such entity if such entity falls within the authority vested in the Office of the State Inspector General pursuant to Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307<\/a> et seq.) of Title 2.2. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the Office of the State Inspector General to exercise any of the powers and duties set forth in Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307<\/a> et seq.) of Title 2.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Upon completion of any review conducted pursuant to this section, the Board<\/span> shall prepare a detailed report of the findings<\/span> of any review, which shall be submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Such report may contain recommendations for changes to the minimum standards for the construction, equipment, administration, and operation of local correctional facilities in order<\/span> to prevent problems, abuses, and deficiencies in and improve the effectiveness of such facilities. In addition, the Board<\/span> may issue<\/span> any order<\/span> authorized under § 53.1-69<\/a> to correct any failure by the facility to comply with the Board<\/span>’s regulations. Except as otherwise required by law<\/span>, the Board<\/span> shall maintain the confidentiality of any confidential records or information obtained from a facility during the course of a review in accordance with state and federal law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall publish an annual report that includes the following: (i) a summary of the reviews of the deaths of inmates that occur in any local, regional, or community correctional facility<\/span> conducted in the prior year pursuant to this section, including any trends or similarities identified by such reviews; (ii) any recommendations for policy changes to reduce the number of inmate deaths; and (iii) any recommendations for changes to the policies and procedures for conducting reviews of the deaths of inmates to improve the operations, safety, and security of local, regional, or community correctional facilities. On or before July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, the Board<\/span> shall publish such report on its website and submit the report to the Governor, the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services, the House Committee on Public Safety, and the House Committee for Courts<\/span> of Justice, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREVIEW OF DEATH OF INMATES IN LOCAL, REGIONAL, OR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL\nFACILITIES (\u00a7 53.1-69.1)\n\nA. The Board shall have the power to review the death of any inmate who was\nincarcerated in a local, regional, or community correctional facility at the\ntime of his death in order to determine (i) the circumstances surrounding the\ninmate’s death, including identifying any act or omission by the facility\nor any employee or agent thereof that may have directly or indirectly\ncontributed to the inmate’s death, and (ii) whether the facility was in\ncompliance with the regulations promulgated by the Board.\n\nB. Any review conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted in\naccordance with the policies and procedures for such review developed and\nimplemented by the Board in accordance with subdivision 5 of § 53.1-5. In\nconducting a review pursuant to this section, the Board may exercise its power\nunder § 53.1-6 to hold and conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, and\nadminister oaths and take testimony thereunder. If the Board determines that it\ncannot adequately conduct any particular review pursuant to this section because\nof the conduct by the Board of another ongoing review, the Board may request\nthat the Department assist in the conduct of such review. Department staff\nconducting a review pursuant to this section shall be considered agents of the\nBoard.\n\nC. If the Board determines during the conduct of any review pursuant to this\nsection that it is necessary to review the operation of an entity other than the\nlocal, regional, or community correctional facility in order to complete the\nreview, the Board shall request that the Office of the State Inspector General\nreview the operation of such entity if such entity falls within the authority\nvested in the Office of the State Inspector General pursuant to Chapter 3.2\n(§ 2.2-307 et seq.) of Title 2.2. Nothing in this section shall limit the\nauthority of the Office of the State Inspector General to exercise any of the\npowers and duties set forth in Chapter 3.2 (§ 2.2-307 et seq.) of Title\n2.2.\n\nD. Upon completion of any review conducted pursuant to this section, the Board\nshall prepare a detailed report of the findings of any review, which shall be\nsubmitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the\nPresident pro tempore of the Senate. Such report may contain recommendations for\nchanges to the minimum standards for the construction, equipment,\nadministration, and operation of local correctional facilities in order to\nprevent problems, abuses, and deficiencies in and improve the effectiveness of\nsuch facilities. In addition, the Board may issue any order authorized under\n§ 53.1-69 to correct any failure by the facility to comply with the\nBoard’s regulations. Except as otherwise required by law, the Board shall\nmaintain the confidentiality of any confidential records or information obtained\nfrom a facility during the course of a review in accordance with state and\nfederal law.\n\nE. The Board shall publish an annual report that includes the following: (i) a\nsummary of the reviews of the deaths of inmates that occur in any local,\nregional, or community correctional facility conducted in the prior year\npursuant to this section, including any trends or similarities identified by\nsuch reviews; (ii) any recommendations for policy changes to reduce the number\nof inmate deaths; and (iii) any recommendations for changes to the policies and\nprocedures for conducting reviews of the deaths of inmates to improve the\noperations, safety, and security of local, regional, or community correctional\nfacilities. On or before July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, the Board\nshall publish such report on its website and submit the report to the Governor,\nthe Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services, the\nHouse Committee on Public Safety, and the House Committee for Courts of Justice,\nthe Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the\nSenate.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, c. 759; 2020, c. 1287; 2025, c. 350.","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}}