Virginia inmates with highest reoffense risk left out of educational programs, JLARC finds

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia inmates who most need in-prison educational programs -- which better prepare them for release and make them less likely to reoffend -- are, in large part, the ones not getting enrolled in them, according to a new state report.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) recently released the findings of its review of the Virginia Department of Corrections' (VADOC) educational programs. JLARC performed this review to determine whether or not it would be feasible and effective to expand this programming.

Under state law, VADOC is required to establish and provide educational programs to those in prison. This includes functional literacy programs for inmates who do not have a 12th-grade reading level, as well as elementary, secondary and postsecondary education. Career and technical education programs are also available in some facilities.

On the whole, JLARC found that VADOC's educational programs are effective in improving inmates' futures upon their release from prison. They are more likely to find jobs, more likely to be paid well and less likely to commit further crime.

However, these programs suffer under the weight of "critical" staffing shortages, resulting in extensive waitlists, JLARC said. As of February, while just over 4,000 inmates were enrolled within VADOC's two primary educational programs, more than 5,600 were on said waitlists.

Statewide, only 19% of VADOC's inmates are enrolled in any of its educational programs. The facility with the highest enrollment is the Virginia Correctional Center for Women, located in Goochland County, with 35% of its inmates enrolled in a program as of February.

Here's how some other Central Virginia VADOC facilities are performing:

• Fluvanna Women's Correctional Center, Fluvanna County: 30%
• Nottoway Work Center, Nottoway County: 27%
• Sussex I State Prison, Sussex County: 20%
• Buckingham Correctional Center, Buckingham County: 16%
• State Farm Work Center, Powhatan County: 14%
• State Farm Correctional Center, Powhatan County: 13%
• Greensville Correctional Center, Greensville County: 12%
• Lunenburg Correctional Center, Lunenburg County: 11%

VADOC has said that one of the primary goals of in-prison education programs is to lower reoffense rates. However, despite this, an inmate's likelihood to reoffend is not considered when it comes to program enrollment -- meaning that those who arguably need these programs the most are not being prioritized, JLARC said.

As of February, just over 1,400 inmates on the waitlist for the adult basic education (ABE) program had "probable" or "highly probable" needs for educational services to reduce their risks of reoffending. By contrast, about 43% of inmates actively enrolled in ABE services at the time were considered "unlikely" to reoffend.

During that same period, 70% of inmates actively enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) were deemed "unlikely" to reoffend, while more than 1,300 with higher levels of need remained on the waitlist.

There have been many inmates who were deemed at high risk of reoffending and spent their entire prison time on a waitlist. JLARC found that 45% of inmates released in 2024 who were also on the ABE waitlist could've benefited from educational services to lower their risk of committing more crimes.

JLARC made a variety of recommendations to VADOC, including that it should identify the primary causes of the delays in filling its vacant instructor positions and make this process more timely.

Moreover, there are still quite a few inmates who need services, but are not enrolled in a program nor on a waitlist. JLARC recommended that VADOC review inmate records to identify all inmates who have not been screened for ABE eligibility and either enroll all of those who are eligible, or put them on a waitlist.

8News continues to review this 111-page JLARC report. Stay with us as we continue to report on its findings.