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Subcommittee backs measure to bar private management of state correctional facilities without General Assembly approval
Summary
Senate Bill 12 83, which preserves the status quo against private management of state correctional facilities unless approved by the General Assembly, was reported out of the Public Safety Subcommittee 5-0 after sponsor remarks and testimony from a public-safety officers’ group.
Senator Evan presented Senate Bill 12 83 to the Public Safety Subcommittee, saying the measure would prevent private management of state correctional facilities unless previously approved by the General Assembly and noting the state currently does not use private management for state prisons.
"Right now in Virginia, we do not have private management of state correctional facilities," Senator Evan said. "The bill as it leaves the Senate says that there won't be private management unless it's previously approved by the General Assembly."
Kirk Jones, representing the National Coalition of Public Safety Officers, testified in support and told the subcommittee, "We support the bill. We again thank the Senate for bringing it forth. We believe that if the Commonwealth is gonna incarcerate citizens, then the Commonwealth should be responsible for housing."
Senator Evan and other members discussed risks the sponsor associated with private, for-profit management, including incentives to reduce operating costs that could affect wages and training. After testimony, the subcommittee voted to report SB 12 83 by a 5-0 margin.
