Superintendent reports falling resignations and policy changes; board discusses regional crisis receiving center and elects Jeff Ward chair

Superintendent provided a multi-part operational update at the May 17 meeting, reporting facility population figures, recent transfers to the state system, program participation, staff training completions and COVID-policy changes.

On staffing, the superintendent credited a recent pay increase — and a board-supported raise sent to the County Board of Supervisors — with halting a steady stream of resignations over the previous five weeks and prompting active recruitment. The superintendent listed multiple upcoming job fairs (George Mason, Fort Lee, University of Mary Washington, Andrews Air Force Base) and said the department had about 76 authorized vacancies (66 sworn, 10 civilian) to fill. Training highlights included graduates from the jail basic academy, mental health first aid and crisis-intervention trainings; staff reported 749 boxes of Narcan had been distributed to inmates upon release and 72 inmates were receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use.

The board also discussed COVID protocols: staff must wear masks when working around COVID-positive inmates or in quarantine units; inmate quarantine was reduced from 10 days to five days; general population inmates are not required to wear masks.

Board members and staff described a regional crisis receiving center (CRC) planned for the old Gander's store site, characterized as a 23-hour, nonresidential facility intended to provide immediate crisis care and divert people with acute behavioral-health needs from criminal processing. An unidentified speaker tied the effort to recent high-profile attacks and said the CRC has gubernatorial support and regional partners; staff said the center would reduce lengthy transports to distant facilities and relieve law-enforcement burden in many cases.

The board also completed officer elections: nominations were opened and closed for chair and vice-chair; Jeff Ward was confirmed as chair by voice vote and accepted the position. Separately, the superintendent announced upcoming retirements (Captain Deploy, retiring July 1; the director of finance, Carol, retiring Aug. 1) and board members offered congratulations.