Prince William County superintendent reports staffing shortfalls, jail repairs and new substance-use supports

Prince William County jail Superintendent reported on operational capacity, staffing and programs, telling board members the facility is still operating with the modular housing unit closed and that staffing shortages remain a primary constraint. "The modular building [is] closed as 200 beds," the superintendent said, and added that vacancies include 78 sworn and 14 civilian positions, a total of 92 vacancies.

The superintendent said recent average daily population (ADP) and historical trends show the jail has not yet returned to pre-pandemic highs but is recovering. He described transfers to the state system for certain inmates and noted ongoing maintenance projects that limit usable housing: "Half the building is still closed" while crews address failures in 40‑year‑old cast‑iron pipes and other infrastructure problems.

Why it matters: staffing shortfalls and reduced bed capacity affect where inmates can be housed and how programs are delivered, while planned repairs will influence when closed areas can be reopened.

Board members and staff detailed recruitment efforts to address vacancies, including outreach at George Mason and Richmond career fairs, the Prince William County Fair and multiple job‑fair events at Potomac Mills. The superintendent said the jail’s unique regional training capacity and partnerships with the Richmond Criminal Justice Academy help maintain pipeline quality.

Programs and health interventions were highlighted as priorities. The superintendent announced a George Mason grant to expand Medicaid‑assisted treatment (MAT) inside the jail and said MAT will be introduced under the grant. He also reported that, since Oct. 19, 2021, "661 boxes of Narcan have been given to inmates upon their release." Separately, he summarized a recurring county mental‑health and reentry grant listed in the packet as $351,909 that funds two staff positions and services including therapy, transportation on release, emergency housing and expanded psychiatric services.

The superintendent gave a brief COVID update: two staff were out with COVID, one staff member was quarantined, no inmates were reported with COVID, and 202 inmates were described as fully vaccinated. He also summarized a targeted mask policy tied to staff presence in inmate areas and contact visits.

Financial and facility notes: commissary balances were reported as stabilizing just under $2,500,000 while inmate trust balances were about $100,000; federal billing volumes remain low. Staff said major maintenance projects (cast‑iron pipe repairs and some shower replacements) are being scoped through purchasing.

What’s next: board members asked staff to continue recruitment and program follow‑up, including locating a Spanish‑speaking GED instructor and monitoring rollout of MAT; the superintendent said staff would provide updates at future meetings.