                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ACCESS TO FACILITIES AND RECORDS (§ 53.1-17.4)

A. The Office shall have reasonable access, upon request in person or in writing
and with or without prior notice, to all Department facilities, including all
areas that are used by inmates, all areas that are accessible to inmates, and to
programs for inmates, at reasonable times, which at a minimum shall include
normal working and visiting hours. This authority includes the opportunity to
conduct an interview with any inmate, Department employee or contractor, or
other person. This access is to (i) provide information about individual rights
and the services available from the Office, including the name, address, and
telephone number of the Office facilities or staff; (ii) conduct official
inspections as defined in &#xA7; 53.1-17.6; (iii) conduct an official
investigation as provided in &#xA7; 53.1-17.7; and (iv) inspect, view,
photograph, and record by video all areas of the facility that are used by
inmates or are accessible to inmates. However, Committee members may not visit
incarcerated family members outside of Department visitation policies and
procedures. The Office shall preserve the confidentiality of any information
obtained from the Department in accordance with applicable state and federal
laws.

B. Access to inmates includes the opportunity to meet and communicate privately
and confidentially with individuals regularly, with or without prior notice,
both formally and informally, by telephone, mail, and electronic communication
and in person. In the case of communications with inmates, these communications
shall not be monitored by, recorded by, or conducted in the presence of
employees or contractors of the Department. Meetings with inmates may be
recorded by members of the Office at their discretion and with the
inmate&#8217;s consent. Any such recordings are subject to the provisions of
&#xA7; 53.1-17.5.

C. The Office shall provide a statewide toll-free telephone number, website, and
mailing address for the receipt of complaints and inquiries.

D. The Office shall have the right to access, inspect, and copy all relevant
information, records, or documents in the possession or control of the
Department, with the exception of confidential employee files, that the Office
considers necessary in an investigation of a complaint filed under this article,
and the Department shall assist the Office in obtaining the necessary releases
for those documents that are specifically restricted or privileged for use by
the Office. The Office shall preserve the confidentiality of any information
obtained from the Department in accordance with applicable state and federal
laws.

E. Access to Department employees or contractors includes the opportunity to
meet and communicate privately and confidentially with individuals during
inspections or normal working hours, with or without prior notice, both formally
and informally, by telephone, mail, and electronic communication and in person.
Meetings with Department employees or contractors may be recorded by members of
the Office at their discretion and with the individual&#8217;s consent.

F. The Office shall have the power to issue a subpoena to the Department for
records, documents, or data in the Department&#8217;s possession, and for
Department staff, contractors, or representatives to appear and provide
information to the Office. Subpoenas so issued shall be served and, upon
application to the court by the Office, enforced in the manner provided by law
for the service and enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action. Department
employees may have counsel or a representative from their employee organization
present during testimony.

G. Following notification from the Office of a written request for access to
Department records, the designated Department staff shall provide the Office
with access to the requested documentation not later than 20 days after receipt
of the written request. If the records requested pertain to (i) an inmate death;
(ii) threats of bodily harm, including sexual or physical assaults; or (iii) the
denial of necessary medical treatment, the records shall be provided within five
days unless the Office consents to an extension.

H. The Office shall work with the Department to minimize disruption to
operations of the Department due to an investigation by the Office. The Office
shall comply with the Department security processes, provided these processes do
not impede the investigation or resulting activities of the Office.

HISTORY: 2024, cc. 392, 393.