                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

INMATE AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES (§ 53.1-17.9)

A. For the purposes of this section, &#8220;family member&#8221; means a
grandparent, parent, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, child, parent&#8217;s
sibling, cousin, sibling&#8217;s child, grandchild, or any other person related
by blood, adoption, marriage, or a fostering relationship.

B. For the purposes of this section, covered issues include (i) sanitation in
correctional facilities; (ii) access to proper nutrition and clean and adequate
water supplies; (iii) habitable temperatures in correctional facilities; (iv)
physical or sexual abuse from fellow inmates; (v) physical or sexual abuse from
staff, contractors, or volunteers; (vi) credible threats against self from other
inmates, staff, or contractors; (vii) neglect of staff or contractors that
results in physical or sexual trauma; (viii) denial or violation of rights; (ix)
access to visitation and communication with family and legal representation; (x)
access to medical or mental health care or substance abuse treatment; (xi)
access to educational and rehabilitative programming, drug and mental health
treatment, and inmate jobs and vocational training; (xii) access to the
Department&#8217;s administrative remedies process for inmates and their
representatives, including the availability of complaint and grievance forms and
the timely, unbiased resolution of grievances; and (xiii) adequate and qualified
staffing in each Department facility.

C. The Office shall provide a statewide toll-free telephone number, a mailing
address, and paper and electronic forms for inmates, family members, friends,
and advocates to submit complaints and inquiries regarding covered issues on
behalf of an inmate incarcerated in a Department facility. Upon receipt of a
complaint or inquiry, the Office shall (i) confirm receipt of such complaint or
injury and (ii) make a determination and notify the complainant as to whether an
investigation is warranted. Paper forms shall be made available to all inmates
and shall be provided to inmates upon request to a Department employee or
contractor, including when the inmate is in administrative segregation or
solitary confinement. Department employees and contractors must treat such paper
forms as confidential and privileged in the same manner as legal correspondence
or communication. All incoming and outgoing inmate mail is subject to the
Department&#8217;s security screening processes and procedures. The Office and
Director shall guarantee that calls made by inmates, employees, and contractors
to file complaints and inquiries with the Office regarding covered issues are
confidential and are not monitored or recorded.

D. The provisions of subsection I of &#xA7; 53.1-17.7 shall apply to complaints
or inquiries made pursuant to this section.

E. The Ombudsman shall develop a short-term and long-term strategic plan that
(i) is informed by visits to Department facilities, at least two public
meetings, consultation with stakeholders, and review of best practices in other
states; (ii) includes procedures for coordination with existing employees at the
Office of the State Inspector General and the Department, in collaboration with
those employees and with the goal of complementing existing efforts; and (iii)
includes potential options and recommendations for legislation and budget
actions that would support its short-term and long-term goals. The Office shall
provide a report on its initial activities and strategic plan to the Governor
and the General Assembly on or before November 15, 2025.

HISTORY: 2024, cc. 392, 393.