RICHMOND, Va. — Tuesday, the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) announced it will open an investigation into the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, which is Virginia's only youth prison.
The news comes in response to a request from the Commission on Youth amid "disturbing reports" of incidents at the facility in recent months.
For several months, CBS 6 has been investigating concerning conditions of critically low staffing levels, security and safety issues and increasing reports of residents lighting fires in their units. The reports have led to growing calls from state lawmakers and juvenile justice board members for a more in-depth analysis of the facility's operations.
CBS 6 was also first to report on a 2024 safety and culture assessment which identified at the time overwhelmed and unsatisfied employees who felt unsafe along with youth experiencing "high levels of idleness and boredom" and an "abundant lack of meaningful engagement."
Watch: Board members call for action on concerns about Bon Air youth prison conditions
OSIG announced the special review in a letter, stating "at a minimum" it will include: reviewing operations, adequacy of staffing, programming provided to residents and mental health services.
"OSIG's preliminary work will include gaining an understanding of the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center and the daily operations of the facility," the letter reads. "The preliminary methodology will consist of touring the facility, interviewing key staff members and documenting processes and procedures related to facility operations."
Once the review is complete, OSIG will give a draft report to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) containing any "significant" observations and will also conduct an exit conference to give DJJ management the chance to comment on the report and give a plan of action.
"OSIG will distribute the final report, with management's responses and plan of action to the governor's office, the Commission on Youth, General Assembly and the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security by December 1, 2025," the letter states.
The report will also be posted on the inspector general's website.
In response to the inspector general's action, DJJ said it is "ready to welcome a special review of Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center."
"While adhering to strict confidentiality requirements and preserving safety and security, DJJ aims to be fully transparent and has consistently acknowledged the facility’s staffing challenges, which are reflective of national trends. The agency supports OSIG’s review and looks forward to receiving and acting on the resulting report and recommendations," said DJJ spokesperson Melodie Martin in a statement on Wednesday.
The department said it also launched a new tab on its website in an effort to "highlight continuing efforts to increase and improve programs and services for youth, families and communities in the Commonwealth."
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