The Corrections Ombudsman has completed the following training and networking:

• Attended National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) conference in October 2024.

• Attended United States Ombudsman Association (USOA) conference in November of 2024.

• Attended Peer Learning Community for Corrections Ombudsman hosted by the University of Texas at Austin Prison and Jail Innovation Lab in May 2025.

The Corrections Ombudsman has conducted the following stakeholder meetings:

• Established monthly status update meetings with VADOC in March 2025.

• Presented unit updates to the Corrections Oversight Committee at each quarterly meeting in March and June 2025.

• Attended one meeting with an advocacy group.

The Ombudsman Unit has completed the following administrative items:

• Issued the first annual report on December 23, 2024.

• Created working policies and procedures, to include a state facility inspections tool.

• Hired and trained staff members.

• Created and implemented the statewide toll-free telephone number, website, and mailing address for the receipt of complaints and inquiries.

• Received verification from the VADOC that the inmate line was established and accessible for inmate use in each facility.

During fiscal year 2025, the ombudsman unit received 869 complaints representing complaints from or about 321 different inmates ranging from individual to systemic concerns:

• 500 complaints had allegations concerning non-covered issues with the top issues identified as concerns about discipline, requests for assistance with transfers or disagreements with transfers, and housing/Restorative Housing Unit (RHU) and Stepdown statuses.

• 405 complaints had allegations concerning Denial/Violation of Rights.

• 372 complaints had allegations concerning Medical Healthcare (access, quality of care, timeliness).

• 370 complaints had allegations concerning the VADOC Administrative Remedies Process.

In addition to complaints within OSIG’s jurisdiction, the ombudsman unit received 62 out-of-jurisdiction complaints, which were referred to other local or state agencies. The Ombudsman Unit closed eight complaints, and as of June 30, 2025, 311 complaints were awaiting the Ombudsman’s action to conclude on the case, and 550 complaints remained under preliminary review.

During this same time period, the Ombudsman Unit issued three inspection summary reports. In addition, the Unit completed nine facility inspections, which are currently pending VADOC’s review and comment, or have since been issued.

The Ombudsman Unit prioritized one investigation at Red Onion State Prison. The report has since been issued.

The Ombudsman Unit is comprised of one full-time Corrections Ombudsman and five full-time Corrections Ombudsman Specialists. Bringing transparency and identifying areas of improvement in Virginia’s corrections system is our collective responsibility and the Ombudsman Unit is committed to clearly and effectively communicating issues that require attention and proposing measurable solutions. We deliver objective, honest, transparent communications to positively impact the most people in the community we serve. We take these responsibilities seriously and understand the Ombudsman Unit’s effectiveness is dependent on its reputation as independent and trustworthy. We thank you for supporting the Ombudsman Unit and our work to increase positive outcomes, and we remain optimistic that our work will empower others and make a difference.

Information contained within this report was obtained from VADOC’s Research Department for fiscal year 2025, VADOC Operating Procedures, information from individual facility orientation handbooks/rules and regulations manuals, visitation brochures, implementation memorandums, and the Unit’s inspection summary reports.