‘Unruly and noncompliant’: New details on Bon Air correctional center incident

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (VDJJ) released an update on Monday regarding an ongoing investigation into an incident involving "unruly and noncompliant" male juveniles at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center on Sunday.

The incident took place around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, when Virginia State Police (VSP) responded to the correctional center for the report of a "disturbance" inside a unit that houses 14 to 16 juveniles.

The VDJJ has since provided additional information in a release on Monday, Feb. 10, stating that 11 residents in the unit, which contains an overall 14 residents, became "unruly and noncompliant," and staff members sought additional help as a result.

In regard to their response, the VDJJ referenced a section of Virginia law that prevents staff members at juvenile correctional centers from using chemical agents for behavior management:

Although facility staff are trained to use intervention techniques designed for managing youth, pursuant to state regulation (6VAC35-71-1170) they are not allowed the use of practices or equipment generally available to law enforcement and adult correctional facilities – such as chemical agents like pepper balls – that facilitate an appropriately expedited and safe response to a large number of noncompliant residents actively threatening or displaying signs of violence. VDJJ's statement on Feb. 10

In terms of security throughout the rest of the correctional center on Sunday, the VDJJ said that residents in other housing units were "safe and secure," even referencing a pizza dinner that was scheduled and proceeded to take place that same evening.

During the incident, Chesterfield County Fire & EMS responded to the report of a fire within the same unit, which state police said was “quickly extinguished.”

The incident follows a similar call for fire around 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6. A spokesperson with Chesterfield Fire said that the agency responded to nine fire calls and 11 fire alarm activations at the facility last year.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and charges are still pending, according to the VDJJ. To view the full statement, click here.