The General Assembly at its Regular Session of 1968 directed the Virginia Code Commission, by Chapter 679 of the Acts of that Session, to revise certain titles of the Code of Virginia, including Title 53, relating to "Prisons and Other Methods of Correction."

Hugh Reid Thompson, Jr., Esquire, of the Richmond City Bar, was retained as the Commission's general counsel for these undertakings.

The Virginia Code Commission examined the provisions of this Title in detail and consulted officials of the State agencies interested in and affected by this Title. The Commission met with Counsel on several occasions, and discussed in detail changes recommended by members of the Commission, by Counsel and by such officials.

As a result of its efforts, the Commission has caused Counsel to prepare a draft of revision of Title 53 in the usual form, i.e., a bill suitable for introduction at the 1970 Session of the General Assembly of Virginia.

The draft purports to reflect the Commission's careful consideration of all recommendations and suggestions either brought to its attention or resulting from its own observations, inquiries, and deliberations.