State audit questions safety at Bon Air youth prison
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Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield. Photo: Office of the State Inspector General
A new state investigation into Virginia's only youth prison says Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center failed to document required wellness checks, substance use therapy and emergency drills.
Why it matters: The report says the lack of documentation makes it impossible to know whether incarcerated youth are receiving safeguards and classes the state requires.
- But the Department of Juvenile Justice framed these findings as paperwork issues, not signs of unsafe conditions or lack of supervision.
State of play: The 102-page audit from the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) was ordered by Gov. Glenn Youngkin earlier this year and released this month.
- The prison, located in Chesterfield, has faced mounting scrutiny this year over conditions a former employee described as "completely inhumane."
- Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers voiced concerns earlier this year over residents setting fires, understaffing and allegations of youth being locked in cells for up to two days without showers.
The latest: OSIG auditors say the documentation gaps go beyond wellness checks and treatment records.
- OSIG's report also says it couldn't confirm whether Bon Air staff logged emergencies during the audit period this summer.
- And its review of 25 students' attendance records found "high rates of missed and late classes."
- None of them attended all of their classes.
What they're saying: DJJ says many of the issues OSIG identified are tied to outdated systems, aging infrastructure and insufficient staffing — not lack of care.
- On wellness checks: DJJ officials say staff conducted them but didn't write them down.
- On therapy delays: DJJ says limited resources have forced Bon Air to "prioritize providing services over documentation."
- And regarding poor school attendance, the department says the audit period happened during state testing windows when class schedules are irregular.
Zoom in: Department officials also wrote that they've "worked tirelessly" to fix the staffing vacancies through signing bonuses and marketing and began seeing those recruitment efforts pay off this summer.
What's next: DJJ agreed to dozens of corrective actions due next year, including:
- Creating a system to track wellness checks, boost oversight of therapy treatment and improve school access;
- Stabilizing the workforce;
- Updating outdated emergency procedures.
What we're watching: Whether the General Assembly approves DJJ's budget request for an electronic health records system, a fix OSIG says could prevent missing youth documents like suicide risk assessments and treatment plans.