The number one goal for the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is longterm public safety. As in any other prison system, the VADOC is always looking to enhance its safety and security procedures to fulfill this goal. Looking at the visitation policies and procedures statewide, it was found that the common theme was contraband breaching the secured perimeter. Concerns statewide rose when inmate overdoses increased, prison infractions for contraband grew and the concern

Even before 9/11, many Muslim activists and community leaders were involved in dialogue with other ethnic, race or faith-based groups. It stemmed from a desire to be understood as media and Hollywood continued their negative stereotyping of Islam while hiding the political underpinnings to those conflicts. I got involved with many such groups, as I loved the promise of dialogue for our new multicultural world, having grown up on four continents myself. I had been enchanted wi

In March 2020, the governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia declared a state of emergency due to the Covid-19 coronavirus. Newly implemented contact and social distancing restrictions caused the District 20 random drug screening program, known as Color Code, to be suspended. Drug screenings, which are a necessary and impactful tool used most frequently during the term of supervision, were being administered only when they were Court ordered or when there was a public safety i