RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — 8News is digging deeper into the reported failures inside the Richmond City Justice Center after a string of inmate deaths and mounting concerns from inmates’ families and city leaders.
During an investigation, the Board of Local and Regional Jails (BLRJ), which oversees the facility, found Richmond’s jail consistently fell short when it came to certain state regulations.
Documents obtained by 8News reveal the jail failed to adhere to state code 6 VAC 15-40-1045, which requires:
- Security checks twice per hour at random intervals
- Documentation of all inspections and unusual incidents
- and prohibition of obstructions in the bars or windows that would prevent staff from viewing inmates or the entire housing area
8News previously reported on six inmate deaths since March of 2022, which sparked concern among deputies, city officials and inmate families.
In January of 2023, the family of Steven Carey, one of the inmates who died, questioned safety inside the facility. 8News also spoke to the family of Jesse Trent, another inmate who died. His family said “Answers need to be provided, they haven’t been in contact with us.”
The BLRJ investigation, which is standard procedure after the death of an inmate, did not directly connect the violations to the deaths; however, the jail was forced to enter a two-year compliance plan to address the findings.
The compliance plan submitted by Sheriff Antionette Irving includes:
- An automated system to record and document security rounds
- Additional internal audit procedures
- Staff training on the consequences of forging public documents
Sheriff Irving’s office refused an in-person interview with 8News for this report, sending the following statement instead:
“Thank you for the inquiry. RCSO is working with BLRJ and DOC as determined by the plan set in place.”
8News asked the Sheriff if the staff training meant her staff previously forged documents. There has been no response as of yet.
During a public safety meeting after the findings were released, Richmond City Councilwoman Reva Trammell, who has previously been outspoken about this topic, questioned the Sheriff on her plan moving forward.
“You got on TV and said you were doing everything to make your jail safe, and we found out that was not true,” Trammell said. “You are the sheriff, and you are running the jail … not us.”
In response, the Sheriff asked for the support of City leadership.
“I need you to support us,” Irving said. “When there’s a problem, call me … let’s not make it bigger than what it needs to be. I need the support of this committee and this City’s leadership. I need that.”
