Corrections Oversight Committee
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
No seats are available at this time. If you are interested in joining this board in the future, please submit an application here.
Current Board Members
CEO Juanita Shanks
Nonprofit Prisoner Advocacy Group Membership expires on 6/30/2027Joel Hughes
Nonprofit Organization , Training or Rehabilitation Programs for Incarcerated Individual Membership expires on 6/30/2027Mr. D'Archie Reynaldo Lewis
Male citizen, rights have been restored Membership expires on 6/30/2027Tawana Simmons
Female citizen, rights have been restored Membership expires on 6/30/2027Dr. Matthew Aaron Sachs
Licensed Physician Membership expires on 6/30/2027Shannae Anderson
Licensed Mental Health or Behavioral Health Professional Membership expires on 6/30/2027Ms. Amanda Marie Howie
Family Member of a Person Currently Incarcerated within the Commonwealth Membership expires on 6/30/2027Dara Watson
Current or Former Department Correctional Officer in a Supervisory Role Membership expires on 6/30/2027David Matthews
Current or Former Department Line Correctional Officer Membership expires on 6/30/2027Mr. Henry J Ponton
Non-voting member Membership expires on 6/30/2027