                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FEES FOR TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC VISITATION AND
MESSAGING SYSTEMS FOR PRISONERS IN LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES (§ 53.1-127.2)

Each sheriff or jail superintendent who operates a local correctional facility
that utilizes a telephonic communication system, an electronic visitation
system, or electronic messaging system, including Voice-over-Internet Protocol
technology and web-based communication systems, for communication between
prisoners and third parties is authorized to provide for the establishment and
collection of a fee for the system utilized. However, no fee shall be charged
for communication between prisoners and third parties within any local
correctional facility or appurtenance thereto operated or controlled by the
sheriff or jail superintendent. The net profits from the operation of such
systems shall be used within each facility respectively for educational,
recreational, or medical purposes for the benefit of the inmates to include
behavioral health, substance abuse, reentry, and rehabilitative services for the
benefit of inmates and may be expended to pay for the training, salaries, and
benefits of employees or contractors whose primary job is to provide such
programs and services to the inmates.
		This section does not apply to telephonic communication systems or to
electronic video or audio communication systems used in judicial proceedings.

HISTORY: 2011, c. 532; 2013, c. 449; 2024, c. 402.