Commonwealth of Virginia - Boards & Commissions - Corrections Oversight Committee

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Corrections Oversight Committee

Public Safety and Homeland Security

Purpose

Out of the amounts appropriated in this item is $250,000 the second year from the general fund to establish the Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to (i) provide information to inmates, family members, Department of Corrections employees, and others regarding the rights of inmates and employees; (ii) monitor conditions of confinement, assess compliance with existing policies and best practices, and make recommendations to facilities; (iii) provide technical assistance to support inmate self- advocacy; (iv) establish procedures to gather stakeholder input into the Ombudsman's activities; and (v) make recommendations that would support the safety and wellbeing of inmates and employees. As it relates to access to Department of Corrections' facilities and records, the Ombudsman and his employees shall have the same powers as Office of the State Inspector General employees who are authorized to conduct inspections of licensed mental health treatment units in state correctional facilities.

Term

No term information available

Composition

The Corrections Oversight Committee ("Committee") shall be established consisting of 13 voting members, including: (i) two members of the Senate who are not members of the same political party, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; (ii) two members of the House of Delegates who are not members of the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and (iii) the following nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Governor: (a) one representative of a nonprofit prisoner advocacy group; (b) one representative of a nonprofit organization that provides training or rehabilitation programs for incarcerated individuals; (c) two citizens who were formerly incarcerated within the Commonwealth for a term of imprisonment of three years or more within the 10 years immediately preceding their appointment provided that such citizens have had their civil rights restored by the Governor; (d) one licensed physician; (e) one licensed mental health or behavioral health professional; (f) one person who is a family member of a person currently incarcerated within the Commonwealth; (g) one current or former Department correctional officer in a supervisory role selected from an association of correctional officers and employees or a nonprofit organization in which he is a member; and (h) one current or former Department line correctional officer selected from an association of correctional officers and employees or a nonprofit organization in which he is a member. Members appointed to the Corrections Oversight Committee shall serve a term of three years. Pursuant to §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825, Code of Virginia, Committee members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses. The Committee shall meet at least once annually. The Committee shall be responsible for advising, assisting, and providing guidance to the Ombudsman.

Vacant Seats

End Date:6/30/2027

Biography:

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Member:Marcus Elam

Seat: Non-voting member

End Date:6/30/2027

Biography:

No bio provided yet...