Mayor Jones Issues Statement Regarding State Board of Corrections Approval of City Jail Plans

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement regarding the State Board of Corrections unanimous vote approving the City’s amendments to the 2009 Community Based Corrections Plan and Planning Study. The Board of Corrections also approved reimbursement funding of 25% from the Commonwealth of Virginia for all eligible costs relating to the construction of the new Justice Center in the city of Richmond.

"I thank the Board of Corrections for this unanimous vote today. I have fought hard to reach this point where we can move forward with the construction of our new Justice Center. I want to thank Sheriff C.T. Woody and those members of Richmond City Council that have stood with us. We are especially pleased that our dedicated law enforcement officers, social workers, clergy, attorneys, prisoners and their families will now have more humane conditions in the very near future.

“We’ve made the necessary adjustments to our plans and it is now clear that our plans meet all compliance and safety standards. Today’s unanimous vote ensures that we can now move forward with this important project quickly and that the new Justice Center will become a reality.

“I’ve kept my promise in that I did not want to build an institution that simply encouraged us to keep warehousing people. The plans that were approved today reflect my commitment and vision of enhanced alternatives to incarceration while at the same time addressing the needs of those being housed at the jail.

"I want to thank everyone that has joined in our vision for a humane facility. We've been struggling with the need for a new jail for more than a decade. With the Board’s vote today, we can stop talking and start building.”