{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-81.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-81.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-81.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-81.html"}],"law_id":67872,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67872,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-81","catch_line":"Construction and operation of regional jail facilities; state reimbursement; agreements with Department","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-133.2; 1970, c. 419; 1972, c. 573; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1981, c. 380; 1982, c. 636; 1983, c. 358; 1989, c. 423; 1993, cc. 387, 787; 1995, c. 305; 2015, c. 749; 2017, c. 211.","full_text":"A\n\nThree or more cities or counties, or any combination thereof, are authorized, pursuant to approval of the Board, to construct, enlarge or renovate a regional jail facility or to enlarge or renovate an existing jail for the purpose of establishing a regional jail facility. In addition, (i) any regional jail facilities established by three or more cities, counties or towns, or any combination thereof, on or before January 31, 1993, (ii) any existing regional jail facilities established by only two cities, counties or towns on or before June 30, 1982, and (iii) any regional jail facilities established by only two contiguous counties whose boundaries are not contiguous by land with the boundaries of any other county in the Commonwealth, may participate under the provisions of this section. On and after December 1, 1989, subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2, the Commonwealth shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-half of the capital costs, as defined in § 53.1-82.2, of such construction, enlargement or renovation in accordance with the provisions of this section if the project was approved by the Governor prior to July 1, 2015, or the project is an enlargement or renovation of a regional jail facility created prior to July 1, 2015, and shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of such capital costs if such project is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2015, and has been specifically authorized in the general appropriation act. On or after July 1, 2017, subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2, the Commonwealth shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of the capital costs, as defined in § 53.1-82.2, for any construction, enlargement or renovation project in accordance with the provisions of this section if such project is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2017, and has been specifically authorized in the general appropriation act. However, regional jails created by any combination of three or more cities or counties on or after February 1, 1993, shall not be eligible for such reimbursement unless at least three of the participating localities of such combination were each operating a jail on February 1, 1993. The Board shall promulgate regulations, to include criteria which may be used to assess need and establish priorities, to serve as guidelines in evaluating requests for such reimbursement and to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of state funds provided for such purpose. The Department shall apply such regulations in preparing requests for appropriations. No such reimbursement shall be had unless the plans and specifications, including the need for additional personnel, thereof have been submitted to the Governor and the jail project has been approved by him. The Governor shall base his approval in part on the expected operating cost-efficiency of the interior design of the facility. Such reimbursement shall be paid subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2.\n\t\t\tSuch counties, cities, towns, or combination thereof may enter into agreements with the Department of Corrections for the Department to operate such jail or to pay the costs of maintenance, upkeep and other operational costs of the jail. Each city, county or town shall, however, bear the expense of local prisoners from such city, county or town. In such case, the Department shall receive such costs from the funds appropriated in the general appropriation act for criminal costs. The method of operation by the Department shall be in the manner it prescribes, notwithstanding any other provision of law designating sheriffs as the keepers of jails.\n\t\t\tIn lieu of an agreement by the localities with the Board for construction or operation of jail facilities, the Board may agree to sell land owned by the Commonwealth to the localities. The Governor is hereby authorized, at his discretion and upon the advice of the Board, to execute a conveyance of such land in a form approved by the Attorney General.B\n\nIn the event that a county, city or town requests and receives financial assistance for capital costs of such jail project from the Department of Criminal Justice Services or from other public fund sources outside of the provisions of this section, the total financial assistance and reimbursement shall not exceed the total cost of the project.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":245804,"text":"Three or more cities or counties, or any combination thereof, are authorized, pursuant to approval of the Board, to construct, enlarge or renovate a regional jail facility or to enlarge or renovate an existing jail for the purpose of establishing a regional jail facility. In addition, (i) any regional jail facilities established by three or more cities, counties or towns, or any combination thereof, on or before January 31, 1993, (ii) any existing regional jail facilities established by only two cities, counties or towns on or before June 30, 1982, and (iii) any regional jail facilities established by only two contiguous counties whose boundaries are not contiguous by land with the boundaries of any other county in the Commonwealth, may participate under the provisions of this section. On and after December 1, 1989, subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2, the Commonwealth shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-half of the capital costs, as defined in § 53.1-82.2, of such construction, enlargement or renovation in accordance with the provisions of this section if the project was approved by the Governor prior to July 1, 2015, or the project is an enlargement or renovation of a regional jail facility created prior to July 1, 2015, and shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of such capital costs if such project is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2015, and has been specifically authorized in the general appropriation act. On or after July 1, 2017, subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2, the Commonwealth shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of the capital costs, as defined in § 53.1-82.2, for any construction, enlargement or renovation project in accordance with the provisions of this section if such project is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2017, and has been specifically authorized in the general appropriation act. However, regional jails created by any combination of three or more cities or counties on or after February 1, 1993, shall not be eligible for such reimbursement unless at least three of the participating localities of such combination were each operating a jail on February 1, 1993. The Board shall promulgate regulations, to include criteria which may be used to assess need and establish priorities, to serve as guidelines in evaluating requests for such reimbursement and to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of state funds provided for such purpose. The Department shall apply such regulations in preparing requests for appropriations. No such reimbursement shall be had unless the plans and specifications, including the need for additional personnel, thereof have been submitted to the Governor and the jail project has been approved by him. The Governor shall base his approval in part on the expected operating cost-efficiency of the interior design of the facility. Such reimbursement shall be paid subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2.\n\t\t\tSuch counties, cities, towns, or combination thereof may enter into agreements with the Department of Corrections for the Department to operate such jail or to pay the costs of maintenance, upkeep and other operational costs of the jail. Each city, county or town shall, however, bear the expense of local prisoners from such city, county or town. In such case, the Department shall receive such costs from the funds appropriated in the general appropriation act for criminal costs. The method of operation by the Department shall be in the manner it prescribes, notwithstanding any other provision of law designating sheriffs as the keepers of jails.\n\t\t\tIn lieu of an agreement by the localities with the Board for construction or operation of jail facilities, the Board may agree to sell land owned by the Commonwealth to the localities. The Governor is hereby authorized, at his discretion and upon the advice of the Board, to execute a conveyance of such land in a form approved by the Attorney General.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":245805,"text":"In the event that a county, city or town requests and receives financial assistance for capital costs of such jail project from the Department of Criminal Justice Services or from other public fund sources outside of the provisions of this section, the total financial assistance and reimbursement shall not exceed the total cost of the project.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13788,"edition_id":1,"name":"Funding Local Correctional Facilities and Programs","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12847,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:52","permalink":{"id":238377,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13788,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/3\/3","url":"\/53.1\/3\/3\/","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":73366,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-80","catch_line":"State reimbursement of localities for construction","url":"\/53.1-80\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-80","metadata":false},{"id":67872,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-81","catch_line":"Construction and operation of regional jail facilities; state reimbursement; agreements with Department","url":"\/53.1-81\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-81","metadata":false},{"id":56283,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-82","catch_line":"Regional contracts for cooperative jailing of offenders; state reimbursement","url":"\/53.1-82\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-82","metadata":false},{"id":59081,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-82.1","catch_line":"Approval of jail projects by the Board; plan for community corrections","url":"\/53.1-82.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-82.1","metadata":false},{"id":86311,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-82.2","catch_line":"Method of reimbursement; involvement of the Treasury Board","url":"\/53.1-82.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-82.2","metadata":false},{"id":80688,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-82.3","catch_line":"Budgeting schedule for jail projects","url":"\/53.1-82.3\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-82.3","metadata":false},{"id":76204,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-83","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-83\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-83","metadata":false},{"id":84541,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-83.1","catch_line":"How state appropriations for operating costs of local correctional facilities determined","url":"\/53.1-83.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-83.1","metadata":false},{"id":60462,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-84","catch_line":"State funds available to local correctional facilities for operating costs","url":"\/53.1-84\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-84","metadata":false},{"id":65680,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-85","catch_line":"Time and manner of payment","url":"\/53.1-85\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-85","metadata":false},{"id":86228,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-86","catch_line":"Limitation on use of state funds; records of receipts and disbursements","url":"\/53.1-86\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-86","metadata":false},{"id":58959,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-87","catch_line":"Cost of maintenance of jails; payment by localities of respective shares of costs; judicial resolution of disagreements","url":"\/53.1-87\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-87","metadata":false},{"id":72584,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-88","catch_line":"Governing body to examine statements, accounts and invoices and issue warrants","url":"\/53.1-88\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-88","metadata":false},{"id":82139,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-89","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-89\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-89","metadata":false},{"id":84615,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-90","catch_line":"Pay for United States prisoners","url":"\/53.1-90\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-90","metadata":false},{"id":56037,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-91","catch_line":"Pay for prisoners from other counties, cities or towns","url":"\/53.1-91\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-91","metadata":false},{"id":59554,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-92","catch_line":"Disposition of money collected from United States or other counties, cities or towns","url":"\/53.1-92\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-92","metadata":false},{"id":79020,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-93","catch_line":"When sheriffs to summon or employ guards and other persons; allowances therefor; fees charged to prisoner","url":"\/53.1-93\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-93","metadata":false},{"id":58964,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-94","catch_line":"Same when paid by county or city; same when by Compensation Board","url":"\/53.1-94\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-94","metadata":false},{"id":54797,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-95","catch_line":"Provisions applicable to jail farms of counties and cities","url":"\/53.1-95\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-95","metadata":false},{"id":86494,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-95.1","catch_line":"Limits on state expenditures","url":"\/53.1-95.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-95.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73366,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-80","catch_line":"State reimbursement of localities for construction","url":"\/53.1-80\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-80","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56283,"structure_id":13788,"section_number":"53.1-82","catch_line":"Regional contracts for cooperative jailing of offenders; state reimbursement","url":"\/53.1-82\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-82","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-81\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 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 1970, chapter 419; in 1972, chapter 573; in 1974, chapters 44 and 45; in 1981, chapter 380; in 1982, chapter 636; in 1983, chapter 358; in 1989, chapter 423; in 1993, chapters 387 and 787; in 1995, chapter 305<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 749<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 211<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73366,"section_number":"53.1-80","catch_line":"State reimbursement of localities for construction","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-80\/"},{"id":86311,"section_number":"53.1-82.2","catch_line":"Method of reimbursement; involvement of the Treasury Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-82.2\/"},{"id":80688,"section_number":"53.1-82.3","catch_line":"Budgeting schedule for jail projects","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-82.3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86311,"section_number":"53.1-82.2","catch_line":"Method of reimbursement; involvement of the Treasury Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-82.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":238383,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67872,"identifier":"53.1-81","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-81","url":"\/53.1-81\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-81\/","token":"53.1\/3\/3\/53.1-81","dublin_core":{"Title":"Construction and operation of regional jail facilities; state reimbursement; agreements with Department","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-81","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Three or more cities or counties, or any combination thereof, are authorized, pursuant to approval of the Board<\/span>, to construct, enlarge or renovate a regional jail facility or to enlarge or renovate an existing jail for the purpose of establishing a regional jail facility. In addition, (i) any regional jail facilities established by three or more cities, counties or towns, or any combination thereof, on or before January 31, 1993, (ii) any existing regional jail facilities established by only two cities, counties or towns on or before June 30, 1982, and (iii) any regional jail facilities established by only two contiguous counties whose boundaries are not contiguous by land with the boundaries of any other county in the Commonwealth, may participate under the provisions of this section. On and after December 1, 1989, subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2<\/a>, the Commonwealth shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-half of the capital costs, as defined in § 53.1-82.2<\/a>, of such construction, enlargement or renovation in accordance with the provisions of this section if the project was approved by the Governor prior to July 1, 2015, or the project is an enlargement or renovation of a regional jail facility created prior to July 1, 2015, and shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of such capital costs if such project is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2015, and has been specifically authorized in the general appropriation act. On or after July 1, 2017, subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2<\/a>, the Commonwealth shall reimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of the capital costs, as defined in § 53.1-82.2<\/a>, for any construction, enlargement or renovation project in accordance with the provisions of this section if such project is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2017, and has been specifically authorized in the general appropriation act. However, regional jails created by any combination of three or more cities or counties on or after February 1, 1993, shall not be eligible for such reimbursement unless at least three of the participating localities of such combination were each operating a jail on February 1, 1993. The Board<\/span> shall promulgate regulations, to include criteria which may be used to assess need and establish priorities, to serve as guidelines in evaluating requests for such reimbursement and to ensure the fair and equitable distribution<\/span> of state funds provided for such purpose. The Department<\/span> shall apply such regulations in preparing requests for appropriations. No such reimbursement shall be had unless the plans and specifications, including the need for additional personnel, thereof have been submitted to the Governor and the jail project has been approved by him. The Governor shall base his approval in part on the expected operating cost-efficiency of the interior design of the facility. Such reimbursement shall be paid subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2<\/a>.\n\t\t\tSuch counties, cities, towns, or combination thereof may enter into agreements with the Department<\/span> of Corrections for the Department<\/span> to operate such jail or to pay the costs of maintenance, upkeep and other operational costs of the jail. Each city, county or town shall, however, bear the expense of local prisoners from such city, county or town. In such case, the Department<\/span> shall receive such costs from the funds appropriated in the general appropriation act for criminal costs. The method of operation by the Department<\/span> shall be in the manner it prescribes, notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span> designating sheriffs as the keepers of jails.\n\t\t\tIn lieu of an agreement by the localities with the Board<\/span> for construction or operation of jail facilities, the Board<\/span> may agree to sell land owned by the Commonwealth to the localities. The Governor is hereby authorized, at his discretion and upon the advice of the Board<\/span>, to execute a conveyance of such land in a form approved by the Attorney General<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In the event that a county, city or town requests and receives financial assistance for capital costs of such jail project from the Department<\/span> of Criminal Justice Services or from other public fund sources outside of the provisions of this section, the total financial assistance and reimbursement shall not exceed the total cost of the project. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF REGIONAL JAIL FACILITIES; STATE REIMBURSEMENT;\nAGREEMENTS WITH DEPARTMENT (\u00a7 53.1-81)\n\nA. Three or more cities or counties, or any combination thereof, are authorized,\npursuant to approval of the Board, to construct, enlarge or renovate a regional\njail facility or to enlarge or renovate an existing jail for the purpose of\nestablishing a regional jail facility. In addition, (i) any regional jail\nfacilities established by three or more cities, counties or towns, or any\ncombination thereof, on or before January 31, 1993, (ii) any existing regional\njail facilities established by only two cities, counties or towns on or before\nJune 30, 1982, and (iii) any regional jail facilities established by only two\ncontiguous counties whose boundaries are not contiguous by land with the\nboundaries of any other county in the Commonwealth, may participate under the\nprovisions of this section. On and after December 1, 1989, subject to the\nprovisions of § 53.1-82.2, the Commonwealth shall reimburse each such\nlocality its pro rata share up to one-half of the capital costs, as defined in\n§ 53.1-82.2, of such construction, enlargement or renovation in accordance\nwith the provisions of this section if the project was approved by the Governor\nprior to July 1, 2015, or the project is an enlargement or renovation of a\nregional jail facility created prior to July 1, 2015, and shall reimburse each\nsuch locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of such capital costs if such\nproject is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2015, and has been\nspecifically authorized in the general appropriation act. On or after July 1,\n2017, subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2, the Commonwealth shall\nreimburse each such locality its pro rata share up to one-fourth of the capital\ncosts, as defined in § 53.1-82.2, for any construction, enlargement or\nrenovation project in accordance with the provisions of this section if such\nproject is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2017, and has been\nspecifically authorized in the general appropriation act. However, regional\njails created by any combination of three or more cities or counties on or after\nFebruary 1, 1993, shall not be eligible for such reimbursement unless at least\nthree of the participating localities of such combination were each operating a\njail on February 1, 1993. The Board shall promulgate regulations, to include\ncriteria which may be used to assess need and establish priorities, to serve as\nguidelines in evaluating requests for such reimbursement and to ensure the fair\nand equitable distribution of state funds provided for such purpose. The\nDepartment shall apply such regulations in preparing requests for\nappropriations. No such reimbursement shall be had unless the plans and\nspecifications, including the need for additional personnel, thereof have been\nsubmitted to the Governor and the jail project has been approved by him. The\nGovernor shall base his approval in part on the expected operating\ncost-efficiency of the interior design of the facility. Such reimbursement shall\nbe paid subject to the provisions of § 53.1-82.2.\n\t\t\tSuch counties, cities, towns, or combination thereof may enter into\nagreements with the Department of Corrections for the Department to operate such\njail or to pay the costs of maintenance, upkeep and other operational costs of\nthe jail. Each city, county or town shall, however, bear the expense of local\nprisoners from such city, county or town. In such case, the Department shall\nreceive such costs from the funds appropriated in the general appropriation act\nfor criminal costs. The method of operation by the Department shall be in the\nmanner it prescribes, notwithstanding any other provision of law designating\nsheriffs as the keepers of jails.\n\t\t\tIn lieu of an agreement by the localities with the Board for construction or\noperation of jail facilities, the Board may agree to sell land owned by the\nCommonwealth to the localities. The Governor is hereby authorized, at his\ndiscretion and upon the advice of the Board, to execute a conveyance of such\nland in a form approved by the Attorney General.\n\nB. In the event that a county, city or town requests and receives financial\nassistance for capital costs of such jail project from the Department of\nCriminal Justice Services or from other public fund sources outside of the\nprovisions of this section, the total financial assistance and reimbursement\nshall not exceed the total cost of the project.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-133.2; 1970, c. 419; 1972, c. 573; 1974, cc. 44, 45;\n1981, c. 380; 1982, c. 636; 1983, c. 358; 1989, c. 423; 1993, cc. 387, 787;\n1995, c. 305; 2015, c. 749; 2017, c. 211.","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}}