Correctional Settings

Local and Regional Jails 

• The Virginia Board of Local and Regional Jails (BLRJ) sets minimum standards for local and regional jails. While they must meet the standards set by the BLRJ, local and regional jails are independent. 
• Superintendents and Regional Jail Authorities control inmate living conditions with their own policies and practices, including policies on health care and inmates with disabilities. 

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 

• The ADA is a federal law that provides legal protection for people with disabilities. Learn more Here. 
• Additional ADA resources: 

• dLCV Guide to Medical and Mental Health Care in VA Jails 
• TASC ADA in Jails & Prisons 
• The Right to Healthcare in Prison During COVID-19 

8th Amendment and Healthcare 

• The 8th and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution outline the law regarding healthcare in correctional settings.  Learn more Here. 

The Prison Litigation Reform Act 

• The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) is a federal law that places additional burdens on inmates’ access to the Federal court system.  
• The PLRA requires that inmates first try to resolve most potential legal claims through the grievance procedure, following it to the highest level of appeal. 
• Learn more about information you need to know before filing a lawsuit Here. 

Social Security Benefits for Reentry 

• Social Security Administration (SSA) offers helpful resources on applying for SSA benefits upon release from incarceration. Learn more Here. 
• dLCV Fact Sheet: Social Security Benefits When in Jail or Prison. Available Here.

dLCV’s Guide to Filing Complaints 

• dLCV’s Guide to Filing Complaints 

Filing Grievances in a Jail Setting 

• The jail grievance procedure is provided at inmate orientation. Typically, inmates will need to request a grievance form in order to file a grievance. If the inmate is not satisfied with the grievance outcome, they have the right to appeal.  
• The highest level to which a jail grievance can be taken is to the Sheriff or Superintendent of the jail. The Department of Corrections has no authority to intervene in this process. 

Adult Protective Services 

• If you or someone you care about has been abused, neglected, or exploited, contact Adult Protective Services at 1-888-832-3858 or Child Protective Services at 1-800-552-7096 regardless of the setting in which the abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred.  If you or someone you support is in immediate danger, call 911. 

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit 

• The Office of the Attorney General has a unit to investigate concerns about Medicaid fraud.  To report Medicaid Fraud, you can contact MFCU at (804) 371-0779 or (800) 371-0824 or email MFCU_mail@oag.state.va.us 

Complaints Against Attorney 

• If you have concerns regarding the conduct of a lawyer, you may submit a complaint to the Virginia State Bar. 
• You can find instructions on how to file a complaint Here. 

Department of Health Professions 

• The Department of Health Professions licenses and regulates health professionals and investigates complaints against health professionals.  
• If you have a complaint or concern against a doctor, nurse, social worker or any other licensed health professional, you can submit a complaint to DHP or call them at (804) 367-4691 or (800) 533-1560. 

Civil Rights Complaints 

• In a civil rights complaint, you are alleging that your constitutional rights or privileges or immunities have been violated. The form for filing a 1983 Civil Rights Complaint can be found Here.  
• A Bivens claim is a civil rights lawsuit for monetary damages against federal officials. Victims can file a lawsuit if their civil rights have been violated by a federal worker. The form for filing a Bivens Complaint can be found Here. 

The Role of the ADA Coordinator 

• Title II of the ADA requires jails to designate an ADA coordinator to accept requests and coordinate grievances.  

• Every VADOC facility should have a designated staff person called the VADOC ADA Coordinator  who assists and manages all requests and grievances connected to a disability. 
• Find the complaint form online Here. 

The Department of Justice Special Litigation Section 

• The Department of Justice Special Litigation Section protects the rights of people in institutions run by state or local governments, and in private facilities receiving public money. 

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Policies and Procedures 

• VADOC state correctional facilities and prisons have a common authority and set of Operating Procedures that cover many topics, including conditions of confinement for offenders with disabilities. 

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act 

• The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law that provides legal protections for people with disabilities. Learn more Here. 
• Additional ADA resources: 

• dLCV Guide to Medical and Mental Health Care in VA Jails 
• TASC ADA in Jails & Prisons 
• The Right to Healthcare in Prison During COVID-19 

8th Amendment and Healthcare 

• The 8th and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution outline the law regarding healthcare in correctional settings.  Learn more Here. 

The Prison Litigation Reform Act 

• The Prison Litigation Reform Act is a federal law that places additional burdens on inmates’ access to the Federal court system.  
• The PLRA requires that inmates first try to resolve most potential legal claims through the grievance procedure, following it to the highest level of appeal. 

• Learn more about information you need to know before filing a lawsuit Here. 

Federal Bureau of Prisons 

• Federal Bureau of Prisons has additional resources on their website outlining prisoner rights. 

Social Security Benefits for Reentry 

• Social Security Administration (SSA) offers helpful resources on applying for SSA benefits upon release from incarceration. Learn more Here. 

dLCV’s Guide to Filing Complaints 

• dLCV’s Guide to Filing Complaints 

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Policies and Procedures 

• VADOC lacks a separate, formalized process for handling requests and grievances connected to a disability.  An offender can employ the existing Offender Request and Offender Grievance to make requests and complaints relating to his or her disability needs.  Individuals can also request Special Orders through the commissary when needed for medical accommodation, with a medical consultation and approval by the facility. 

Filing a Complaint in a Federal Prison 

• A guide to Administrative Remedy Requests at Federal prisons can be found Here. 
• Concerns about inmates in Federal prisons can be addressed to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on their website Here. The formal grievance form can be found Here. 

Civil Rights Complaints 

• In a civil rights complaint, you are alleging that your constitutional rights or privileges or immunities have been violated. The form for filing a 1983 Civil Rights Complaint can be found Here.  
• A Bivens claim is a civil rights lawsuit for monetary damages against federal officials. Victims can file a lawsuit if their civil rights have been violated by a federal worker. The form for filing a Bivens Complaint can be found Here. 

Complaints Against Attorneys 

• If you have concerns regarding the conduct of a lawyer, you may submit a complaint to the Virginia State Bar. 
• You can find instructions on how to file a complaint Here. 

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit 

• The Office of the Attorney General has a unit to investigate concerns about Medicaid fraud.  To report Medicaid Fraud, you can contact MFCU at (804) 371-0779 or (800) 371-0824 or email MFCU_mail@oag.state.va.us 

Department of Health Professions (DHP) 

• The Department of Health Professions licenses and regulates health professionals and investigates complaints against health professionals.  
• If you have a complaint or concern against a doctor, nurse, social worker or any other licensed health professional, you can submit a complaint to DHP or call them at (804) 367-4691 or (800) 533-1560. 

The Role of the ADA Coordinator 

• Title II of the ADA requires prisons to designate an ADA coordinator to accept requests and coordinate grievances.  
• Every VADOC facility should have a designated staff person called the VADOC ADA Coordinator  who assists and manages all requests and grievances connected to a disability. 
• Find the complaint form online Here. 

The Department of Justice Special Litigation Section 

• The Department of Justice Special Litigation Section protects the rights of people in institutions run by state or local governments, and in private facilities receiving public money. 

• Virginia Prison Justice Network
• Prison Fellowship 
• Virginia Interfaith Center 
• Justice Forward Virginia  
• The Jailhouse Lawyer’s Handbook

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 

• Requires states to provide educational services to eligible students under 22 years old in both juvenile and adult correctional facilities. 
• “IDEAs that Work” Juvenile Corrections Tool Kit 

Legal Aid Justice Center: JustChildren Program 

• Offers legal and advocacy services for children in juvenile justice systems, education, and foster care. 

U.S. Department of Education 

• Guidance information on how jails provide educational services, and information on financial aid. 

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) 

• Offers various Juvenile Service Programs. 

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) 

• Information on the JJDP Act  

Virginia Rules 

• Educational program that covers various topics and includes education on the juvenile justice system. 

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 

• Federal law that provides legal protections for people with disabilities. Learn more Here. 
• Additional ADA resources: 

• dLCV Guide to Medical and Mental Health Care in VA Jails 
• TASC ADA in Jails & Prisons 
• The Right to Healthcare in Prison During COVID-19 

8th Amendment and Healthcare 

• 8th and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution outline the law regarding healthcare in correctional settings.  Learn more Here. 

The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) 

• Federal law that requires that inmates first try to resolve most potential legal claims through the grievance procedure, following it to the highest level of appeal. 
• Learn more about information you need to know before filing a lawsuit Here. 

Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) 

• Page 20 in the resident handbook of the DJJ outlines the grievance process for juveniles in correctional settings. 

U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) 

• If you are experiencing discrimination in regards to education, you can file a complaint with OCR. Instructions on how to file a complaint can be found here, and the complaint form can be found here. 

Complaints Against Attorney 

• If you have concerns regarding the conduct of a lawyer, you may submit a complaint to the Virginia State Bar. 

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit 

• The Office of the Attorney General has a unit to investigate concerns about Medicaid fraud.  To report Medicaid Fraud, contact MFCU at (804) 371-0779 or (800) 371-0824 or email MFCU_mail@oag.state.va.us 

Department of Health Professions (DHP) 

• The Department of Health Professions licenses and regulates health professionals and investigates complaints against health professionals.  
• If you have a complaint or concern against a doctor, nurse, social worker or any other licensed health professional, you can submit a complaint to DHP or call them at (804) 367-4691 or (800) 533-1560. 

The Role of the ADA Coordinator 

• Title II of the ADA requires juvenile correctional facilities to designate an ADA coordinator to accept requests and coordinate grievances.  
• Every VADOC facility should have a designated staff person called the VADOC ADA Coordinator  who assists and manages all requests and grievances connected to a disability. 
• Find the complaint form online Here. 

The Department of Justice Special Litigation Section 

• The Department of Justice Special Litigation Section protects the rights of people in institutions run by state or local governments, and in private facilities receiving public money. 

• RISE for Youth