16/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 17/08/2024 03:10
Agency News
Agency NewsAugust 16, 2024
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) continues to find innovative ways to ensure long-term public safety for those who live, work in, and visit the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Sussex I State Prison hosted a fish fry on Monday, August 12 for corrections team members and inmates from two pods that were infraction-free for a full month.
Virginia Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-13th District), Delegate Otto Wachsmann (R-75th District), and Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Marcus Anderson attended the event and spoke with both Sussex I staff and inmates.
"Our corrections team members at Sussex I State Prison and across Virginia work tirelessly to ensure public safety by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based re-entry services," said VADOC Director Chad Dotson. "Finding small ways to thank them for their service is crucial.
"Additionally, incentivizing continued good inmate behavior helps to keep our employees safe, while also providing a reward for inmates who are committed to safety and effective reentry. I hope more pods will earn similar rewards in the future and that the positive behavior shown by the inmates in these two pods will spread across the facility."
Monday's event also demonstrated the great work of the VADOC's Agribusiness Unit. The fish that was served was raised at Deerfield Correctional Complex and prepared by the Agribusiness Unit.