dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-142. Assignments of officers to districts.
There shall be at least one probation and parole officer for each probation and parole district. The Director of the Department may assign officers authorized in one district to duties in another district. However, no such transfer shall be effected without the concurrence of the affected officer. Any officer so assigned shall have the same power and authority as an officer authorized by the judge or judges of the court or courts of such other district. The Director, in consultation with the court, shall designate all supervisory staff.

Code 1950, § 53-243; 1966, c. 638; 1973, c. 253; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1979, c. 700; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 514; 2003, c. 944.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-143. How officers authorized.
The Director shall employ officers to carry out the powers and duties prescribed in § 53.1-145 and elsewhere in this article. The Director shall submit the names of eligible officers to the judge or judges of the judicial circuit where the officer is initially assigned to be authorized to act as an officer of the court.

The judge or judges of the judicial circuit to which an officer is assigned shall authorize the officer to serve as an officer of the court to carry out the power and duties prescribed in § 53.1-145 and elsewhere in this article. When the area of a probation and parole district lies in two or more judicial circuits, the probation and parole officers shall be authorized by joint action of the judges of the several circuits. If there are more than two such judges, a majority vote shall control the authorization.

Whenever the authorization is to be made by two judges and they fail to agree within 60 days of the Director's assignment of such officer, the Director shall authorize the officer to serve the judicial circuits of the Commonwealth.

The authorization of an officer by the judicial circuit to which the officer is initially assigned shall be valid in all judicial circuits in the Commonwealth regardless of subsequent assignments.

Code 1950, § 53-244; 1970, c. 648; 1973, c. 253; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1979, c. 700; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 514; 2003, c. 944.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-144. Term of officers.
Each probation and parole officer shall be authorized initially for a term of one year. Subsequent authorizations shall be for indefinite periods.

Code 1950, § 53-245; 1966, c. 638; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1978, c. 595; 1979, c. 700; 1982, c. 636; 2003, c. 944.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-146. Use of officers as to persons convicted of local violations; payment of expenses.
Upon request of the governing body of a county, city or town, the probation and parole officer shall perform the same duties and have the same powers as to persons convicted for violations of ordinances of the county, city or town as he has as to persons violating laws of the Commonwealth. The county, city or town so using the services of a probation and parole officer shall pay a pro rata part of his expenses to be arrived at by mutual agreement between the local governing body and the Department.

Code 1950, § 53-249; 1970, c. 648; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-147. Compensation; expenses.
Each probation and parole officer shall receive as compensation for his services a salary to be fixed in accordance with the standards of classification of Chapter 29 (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) of Title 2.2. Each officer shall also be paid necessary traveling and other expenses incurred by him in the discharge of his duties. The salary and expenses herein provided for shall be paid by the Commonwealth and no part shall be paid by or chargeable to any county or city, except as hereinafter provided.

The governing body of any county or city may add to the fixed compensation of probation and parole officers such amount as the governing body may appropriate with the total amount not to exceed fifty percent of the amount paid by the Commonwealth to probation and parole officers. No additional amount paid by a local governing body shall be chargeable to the Department of Corrections or the Parole Board, nor shall it remove or supersede any authority, control or supervision of the Department or Board.

Code 1950, §§ 53-246, 53-247; 1956, c. 316; 1966, c. 483; 1970, c. 648; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1982, c. 636.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-148. Transfer of supervision from one probation officer to another.
The court placing any person on probation may transfer such person from the supervision of one probation officer to that of another probation officer. Such transfer shall be reported by the court to both probation officers and to the person on probation. A record of the transfer shall be filed with the records of the case or entered upon the records of the court.

Whenever a person placed on probation resides in a locality removed from that in which the court which placed such person on probation is situated, or whenever a person on probation desires to remove to a locality other than that in which the court is situated, the court placing such person on probation may transfer him to a probation officer regularly appointed and authorized to serve for the locality in which the probationer resides or to which he is to move. In such cases the probation officer shall send to the court desiring to make the transfer a written statement that he will exercise supervision over such person. The statement shall be approved in writing by the judge of the court to which the probation officer is attached. The probation officer shall report concerning the conduct and condition of the probationer at regular intervals to the judge of the court who placed the defendant on probation.

Code 1950, § 53-277; 1982, c. 636.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-149. Arrest of probationer without warrant; written statement; timeframe for service of process.
A. Any probation officer appointed pursuant to this chapter may arrest a probationer without a warrant, or may deputize any other officer with power to arrest to do so, by a written statement setting forth that the probationer has, in the judgment of the probation officer, violated one or more of the terms or conditions upon which the probationer was released on probation. Such a written statement by a probation officer delivered to the officer in charge of any local jail or lockup shall be sufficient warrant for the detention of the probationer. Any officer deputized upon receipt of the written statement shall, in accordance with § 19.2-390, enter, or cause to be entered, the person's name and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the "information systems" known as the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Such information shall be deemed a warrant authorizing the arrest of the person anywhere in the Commonwealth.

B. The probation officer of any probationer arrested pursuant to this section shall forthwith, but in all cases no later than three business days after the arrest of the probationer, (i) submit a copy of any written statement described in subsection A, including all relevant case numbers, to the local attorney for the Commonwealth and the clerk of the court for the circuit court responsible for supervision of the probationer and advise such persons of his arrest and (ii) request the circuit court of the sentencing jurisdiction to promptly issue a capias or bench warrant for the alleged violation contained in the written statement.

Code 1950, § 53-278.5; 1962, c. 327; 1982, c. 636; 2010, c. 273; 2025, c. 412.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-150. Contributions by persons on parole, probation, and work release.
A. Any person who has costs assessed against him pursuant to §§ 17.1-275.1, 17.1-275.2, 17.1-275.7, or § 17.1-275.8, or subsection B or C of § 16.1-69.48:1 shall be required to pay, as specified in those sections, a sentencing/supervision fee to be deposited in the general fund of the state treasury.

All fees assessed pursuant to this section shall be paid to the clerk of the sentencing court.

B. Except when the fee referenced in subsection A has been previously assessed, any person (i) who is granted parole or (ii) who participates in a work release program pursuant to the provisions of §§ 53.1-60 and 53.1-131 shall be required to pay a fee of fifty dollars as a condition of parole or work release.

Code 1950, § 53-19.40; 1981, c. 634; 1982, cc. 492, 636; 1984, c. 668; 1988, c. 824; 1990, cc. 511, 816; 1992, c. 529; 1993, c. 195; 1994, cc. 613, 638; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2; 1999, c. 9; 2000, c. 1040; 2002, c. 831.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-150.1. Contribution by persons on parole.
Any person who is granted parole and who is required to receive substance abuse treatment as a condition of parole shall contribute towards the cost of such treatment based upon his ability to pay, as established pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Director. The regulations shall provide that (i) any fees collected for such treatment shall be paid directly to the service provider and (ii) any person may be exempt from the payment of such fees on the grounds of unreasonable hardship.

1996, c. 807; 2020, c. 759.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-152. Eligibility of persons sentenced for combinations of felony and misdemeanor offenses.
Every person who is convicted of a felony and also convicted of a misdemeanor and sentenced and committed for the same under the laws of this Commonwealth or of its political subdivisions shall be eligible for parole on the combination of said sentences in the same manner as provided in § 53.1-151.

Code 1950, § 53-252.1; 1954, c. 597; 1966, c. 638; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-153. Eligibility of persons sentenced to jails for more than twelve months.
Persons convicted of felonies or misdemeanors who are sentenced to jails and not eligible for parole under § 53.1-152, shall be eligible for parole in the same manner as provided in § 53.1-151 when the total sentences to be served, exclusive of fines, are more than twelve months. However, a person convicted of misdemeanors and sentenced to serve a total active sentence of more than 12 months in jail shall not be eligible for parole nor subject to the provisions of § 53.1-159 upon conviction of any offenses committed on or after July 1, 2008.

The Virginia Parole Board shall have the same powers and duties to carry out the provisions of this section as are set forth in § 53.1-136.

Code 1950, § 53-251.2; 1962, c. 326; 1970, c. 648; 1981, c. 392; 1982, c. 636; 1983, c. 509; 2008, c. 846.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-154. Times at which Virginia Parole Board to review cases.
The Virginia Parole Board shall by regulation divide each calendar year into such equal parts as it may deem appropriate to the efficient administration of the parole system. Unless there be reasonable cause for extension of the time within which to review and decide a case, the Board shall review and decide the case of each prisoner no later than that part of the calendar year in which he becomes eligible for parole, and at least annually thereafter, until he is released on parole or discharged, except that upon any such review the Board may schedule the next review as much as three years thereafter, provided there are ten years or more or life imprisonment remaining on the sentence in such case. Such reviews shall include a live interview of the prisoner by a Board member or a staff member designated by the Board. Such interviews may be conducted in person or by videoconference or telephone at the discretion of the Board. Absent imminent death of the prisoner or other extraordinary circumstances, which shall be documented by the Board in the prisoner's file, the Board shall not grant parole to any prisoner who has not received a live interview within the prior calendar year. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, in the case of a parole revocation, if such person is otherwise eligible for parole, the Board shall review and decide his case no later than that part of the calendar year one year subsequent to the part of the calendar year in which he was returned to a facility as provided in § 53.1-161. Thereafter, his case shall be reviewed as specified in this section. The Board, in addition, may review the case of any prisoner eligible for parole at any other time and may review the case of any prisoner prior to that part of the year otherwise specified. In the discretion of the Board, interviews may be conducted by the Board or its representatives and may be either public or private.

Code 1950, §§ 53-252, 53-254; 1966, c. 638; 1970, c. 648; 1977, c. 34; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 655; 2023, cc. 805, 806.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-154.1. Authority of Director to recommend parole review; release upon review.
The Director is authorized to determine those prisoners who may be suitable parole risks and whose interests and those of society will be served by their early parole release and to recommend such prisoners to the Parole Board for early parole consideration. In making such recommendation, the Director shall take into account the prisoner's criminal history record, mental and physical condition, employability, institutional adjustment and such other factors as may be appropriate, including the risk of violence to others. The case of any such prisoner so recommended may be reviewed by the Parole Board prior to such prisoner's date of eligibility for parole. Upon appropriate review the Parole Board may release on parole prior to the date of eligibility for parole any prisoner so recommended by the Director. However, no prisoner shall be released until he has served at least one-fourth of the term of imprisonment imposed, or until he has served twelve years of the term of imprisonment imposed if one-fourth of the term of imprisonment imposed is more than twelve years, except as such time is reduced by any other provision of law.

This section shall have no application to persons not eligible for parole pursuant to subsections B, B1 and E of § 53.1-151.

1983, c. 378; 2020, c. 759.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-155.1. Participation in residential community program prior to final release.
The Department may give nonviolent prisoners who have not been convicted of a violent crime and who have been sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment of at least three years the opportunity to participate in a residential community program, work release, or a community-based program approved by the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security within six months of such prisoner's projected or mandatory release date. The Secretary shall prescribe guidelines to govern the residential community programs, work release, or community-based programs.

Any wages earned pursuant to this section by a prisoner may be paid to the director or administrator of the program after standard payroll deductions required by law. Distribution of such wages shall be made for the following purposes:

1. To pay an amount to defray the cost of his keep;

2. To pay travel and other such expenses made necessary by his work release, employment, or participation in a residential community program or a community-based program;

3. To provide support and maintenance for his dependents or to make payments to the local department of social services or the Commissioner of Social Services, as appropriate, on behalf of dependents who are receiving public assistance as defined in § 63.2-100; or

4. To pay any fines, restitution, or costs as ordered by the court.

Any balance at the end of his sentence shall be paid to the prisoner upon his release.

2003, c. 850; 2014, cc. 115, 490.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-156. Period of parole; not counted as part of term.
The period of parole which shall be fixed by the Board may be greater than the unserved portion of the sentence actually imposed upon the paroled prisoner by the court or jury which fixed his sentence. It shall not exceed, however, the difference between the time actually served in confinement by the paroled prisoner, without regard to good conduct credit, and the maximum term established by law as punishment for the offense or offenses of which the prisoner was convicted. The time during which a parolee is at large on parole shall not be counted as service of any part of the term of imprisonment for which he was sentenced upon his conviction.

Code 1950, §§ 53-255, 53-256; 1982, c. 636; 1987, c. 668.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-157. Parolees to comply with terms; furnishing copies.
Each parolee while on parole shall comply with such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Board. When any prisoner is released on parole, the Board shall furnish the parolee and the probation and parole officer having supervision of the parolee a copy of the terms and conditions of the parole and any changes that may from time to time be made therein.

Code 1950, § 53-257; 1970, c. 648; 1973, c. 253; 1982, c. 636; 2000, c. 767; 2025, c. 716.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-158. Release of prisoner subject to parole.
The Director of the Department shall release into the custody of the Parole Board, any of its probation and parole officers or the Chairman, any prisoner subject to parole under the laws of this Commonwealth whenever directed so to do by the Parole Board or by the Chairman.

Code 1950, § 53-264; 1970, c. 648; 1973, c. 253; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1982, c. 636.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-159. Mandatory release on parole.
Every person who is sentenced and committed under the laws of the Commonwealth to the Department of Corrections or as provided for in §§ 19.2-308.1, 53.1-152 or § 53.1-153 shall be released on parole by the Virginia Parole Board six months prior to his date of final release. Each person so sentenced or committed, however, shall serve a minimum of three months of his sentence prior to such a release. Persons who are so released on parole shall be subject to a minimum of six months' supervision and an additional period of parole ending on the date upon which the parolee would have served the maximum term of confinement, or any period the Board otherwise deems appropriate in accordance with § 53.1-156. Such persons shall also be subject, for the entire period of parole fixed by the Board, to such terms and conditions prescribed by the Board in accordance with § 53.1-157.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if within thirty days of a release scheduled pursuant to this section, new information is presented to the Board which gives the Board reasonable cause to believe that the release poses a clear and present danger to the life or physical safety of any person, the Board may delay the release for up to six months to investigate the matter and to refer it to law-enforcement, mental health or other appropriate authorities for investigation and any other appropriate action by such authorities.

No person released on parole pursuant to § 53.1-136, and whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall be released on parole pursuant to this section until at least six months have elapsed from the date of the decision revoking his parole. No person released on parole pursuant to this section, whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall thereafter be released on parole pursuant to this section. Final discharge may be extended to require the prisoner to serve the full portion of the term imposed by the sentencing court which was unexpired when the prisoner was released on parole.

For purposes of this section, (i) "maximum term of confinement" means the maximum term of incarceration established by law as punishment for the offense, (ii) "mandatory release date" means that date which is six months prior to the scheduled date of release and takes into consideration good conduct credits, and (iii) "final discharge" and "discharge from parole" mean that a prisoner is released from confinement having satisfied the full term imposed by the sentencing court without regard to good conduct credit. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create a right or entitlement to parole.

Code 1950, § 53-251.3; 1979, c. 415; 1981, cc. 20, 392; 1982, c. 636; 1985, c. 175; 1987, c. 668; 1991, c. 410; 1994, c. 894.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-160.1. Department to give notice of Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry requirements to certain prisoners.
A. Prior to the release or discharge of any prisoner for whom registration with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is required pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1, the Department shall give notice to the prisoner of his duty to register with the State Police. A person required to register shall register, submit to be photographed as part of the registration, and provide information regarding place of employment, if available, to the Department. The Department shall also obtain from that person all necessary registration information, including fingerprints and photographs of a type and kind approved by the Department of State Police, inform the person of his duties regarding reregistration and change of address, and inform the person of his duty to register. The Department shall forward the registration information to the Department of State Police on the date of the prisoner's release or discharge.

B. Whenever a person required to register has failed to comply with the provisions of subsection A, the Department shall promptly investigate or request the State Police promptly investigate and, if there is probable cause to believe a violation has occurred, obtain a warrant or assist in obtaining an indictment charging a violation of § 18.2-472.1 in the jurisdiction in which the person was released or discharged. The Department shall notify the State Police forthwith of such actions taken pursuant to this section.

C. The Department shall notify the State Police immediately upon discovering the escape of any prisoner for whom registration with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is required pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1.

1994, c. 362; 1997, c. 747; 2003, c. 584; 2006, cc. 857, 914; 2010, c. 858.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-161. Arrest and return of parolee; warrant; release pending adjudication of violation.
The Chairman or any member of the Board may at any time upon information or a showing of a violation or a probable violation by any parolee of any of the terms or conditions upon which he was released on parole issue, or cause to be issued, a warrant for the arrest and return of the parolee to the institution from which he was paroled, or to any other correctional facility that may be designated by the Chairman or member. However, a determination of whether a parolee returned to a correctional facility pursuant to this subsection shall be returned to a state or local correctional facility shall be made based on the length of the parolee's original sentence as set forth in § 53.1-20. Each such warrant shall authorize all officers named therein to arrest and return the parolee to actual custody in the facility from which he was paroled, or to any other facility designated by the Chairman or member.

In any case in which the parolee is charged with the violation of any law, the violation of which caused the issuance of such warrant, upon request of the parolee or his attorney, the Chairman or member shall as soon as practicable consider all the circumstances surrounding the allegations of such violation, including the probability of conviction thereof, and may, after such consideration, release the parolee, pending adjudication of the violation charged.

Code 1950, § 53-258; 1970, c. 648; 1973, c. 253; 1976, c. 45; 1978, c. 227; 1982, c. 636; 1990, cc. 676, 768; 2000, c. 767; 2023, c. 618; 2025, c. 716.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-162. Arrest of parolee without warrant; written statement.
Any probation and parole officer may arrest a parolee without a warrant or may deputize any other officer with power of arrest to do so by a written statement setting forth that the parolee has, in the judgment of the probation and parole officer, violated one or more of the terms or conditions of his parole. Such a written statement by a probation and parole officer delivered to the officer in charge of any state or local correctional facility shall be sufficient warrant for the detention of the parolee. Any officer deputized upon receipt of the written statement shall, in accordance with § 19.2-390, enter, or cause to be entered, the person's name and other appropriate information required by the Department of State Police into the "information systems" known as the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), established and maintained by the Department pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 52-12 et seq.) of Title 52. Such information shall be deemed a warrant authorizing the arrest of the person anywhere in the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 53-259; 1982, c. 636; 2000, c. 767; 2010, c. 273; 2025, c. 716.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-163. Parolee considered as escapee after issuance of warrant.
Any parolee for whose arrest a warrant has been issued by the Board or by the Chairman shall after the issuance of the warrant be treated as an escaped prisoner. The time from the issuing of such warrant to the date of his arrest shall not be counted as any part of the time to be served under his sentence.

Code 1950, § 53-260; 1970, c. 648; 1973, c. 253; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-164. Procedure for return of parolee.
When any parolee is returned to any facility in accordance with the provisions of § 53.1-161, he shall be held in accordance with rules of the Director and subject to further action of the Board. The officer in charge of the facility shall see that the Board is notified promptly of each such parolee's return.

Code 1950, § 53-261; 1970, c. 648; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1982, c. 636; 2000, c. 767; 2020, c. 759; 2025, c. 716.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 4 (Probation and Parole)
§ 53.1-165.1. Limitation on the application of parole statutes.
A. The provisions of this article, except §§ 53.1-160 and 53.1-160.1, shall not apply to any sentence imposed or to any prisoner incarcerated upon a conviction for a felony offense committed on or after January 1, 1995. Any person sentenced to a term of incarceration for a felony offense committed on or after January 1, 1995, shall not be eligible for parole upon that offense.

B. The provisions of this article shall apply to any person who was sentenced by a jury prior to June 9, 2000, for any felony offense committed on or after January 1, 1995, and who remained incarcerated for such offense on July 1, 2020, other than (i) a Class 1 felony or (ii) any of the following felony offenses where the victim was a minor: (a) rape in violation of § 18.2-61; (b) forcible sodomy in violation of § 18.2-67.1; (c) object sexual penetration in violation of § 18.2-67.2; (d) aggravated sexual battery in violation of § 18.2-67.3; (e) an attempt to commit a violation of clause (a), (b), (c), or (d); or (f) carnal knowledge in violation of § 18.2-63, 18.2-64.1, or 18.2-64.2.

C. The Parole Board shall establish procedures for consideration of parole of persons entitled under subsection B consistent with the provisions of § 53.1-154.

D. Any person who meets eligibility criteria for parole under subsection B and pursuant to § 53.1-151 as of July 1, 2020, shall be scheduled for a parole interview no later than July 1, 2021, allowing for extension of time for reasonable cause.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A or any other provision of this article to the contrary, any person sentenced to a term of life imprisonment for a single felony or multiple felonies committed while the person was a juvenile and who has served at least 20 years of such sentence shall be eligible for parole and any person who has active sentences that total more than 20 years for a single felony or multiple felonies committed while the person was a juvenile and who has served at least 20 years of such sentences shall be eligible for parole. The Board shall review and decide the case of each prisoner who is eligible for parole in accordance with § 53.1-154 and rules adopted pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 53.1-136.

1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2; 2020, cc. 2, 529, 1200, 1272.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 5 (COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS)
§ 53.1-177. Authority of Director; establishment of halfway houses; employment of personnel.
The Director is authorized to establish and maintain a system of halfway houses for the temporary care of adults who are placed on probation or released on parole and are determined to be eligible for this service. Such community facility may, in the discretion of the Director, be purchased, constructed or leased. The Director is further authorized to employ necessary personnel for these facilities.

Code 1950, § 53-128.6; 1968, c. 298; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1978, c. 492; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 5 (COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS)
§ 53.1-178. Director to establish standards.
The Director shall establish minimum standards for the operation of the facilities authorized by § 53.1-177. The Director shall maintain a list of approved halfway houses.

Code 1950, § 53-128.5; 1968, c. 298; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1978, c. 492; 1982, c. 636; 2020, c. 759.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 5 (COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS)
§ 53.1-179. Purchase of services authorized.
The Director may purchase temporary room and board and training, counseling and rehabilitation services for probationers and parolees whom the Director deems to be in need of and eligible for such benefits and services. Implementation of this provision shall conform with the requirements of all locally-adopted zoning regulations.

Code 1950, § 53-128.6; 1968, c. 298; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1978, c. 492; 1982, c. 636; 2020, c. 759.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 5 (COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS)
§ 53.1-180. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2002, c. 491, cl. 2.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-186. Term commences from date of final judgment; exceptions.
The term of confinement in a local or state correctional facility for the commission of a crime shall commence and be computed from the date of the final judgment, which, in case of an appeal, shall be that of the refusal of a writ of error or the affirmance of the judgment. When it is ordered that two or more terms of confinement run concurrently, then such terms of confinement shall commence and be computed from the time the first of such terms of confinement commenced.

For the purpose of determining allowances for good conduct, the term of confinement of a person convicted of a felony and sentenced to the Department whose sentence is partially suspended shall be that portion of the sentence which was not suspended.

Code 1950, §§ 53-207, 53-272; 1954, c. 141; 1956, c. 342; 1958, c. 468; 1962, c. 327; 1976, c. 145; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-187. Credit for time spent in confinement while awaiting trial.
Any person who is sentenced to a term of confinement in a correctional facility shall have deducted from any such term all time actually spent by the person in a state hospital for examination purposes or treatment prior to trial, in a state or local correctional facility awaiting trial or pending an appeal, or in a juvenile detention facility awaiting trial for an offense for which, upon conviction, such juvenile is sentenced to an adult correctional facility. Such credit for time shall include any time spent in pretrial confinement or detention on separate, dismissed, or nolle prosequi charges that are from the same act as the violation for which the person is convicted and sentenced to a term of confinement. When entering the final order in any such case, the court shall provide that the person so convicted be given credit for the time so spent.

In no case shall a person be allowed credit for time not actually spent in confinement or in detention. In no case is a person on bail to be regarded as in confinement for the purposes of this statute. No such credit shall be given to any person who escapes from a state or local correctional facility or is absent without leave from a juvenile detention facility.

Any person sentenced to confinement in a correctional facility, in whose case the final order entered by the court in which he was convicted fails to provide for the credit authorized by this section, shall nevertheless receive credit for the time so spent in a correctional facility. Such allowance of credit shall be in addition to the good conduct allowance provided for in §§ 53.1-116 and 53.1-129, Articles 2 (§ 53.1-192 et seq.) and 3 (§ 53.1-198 et seq.) or the earned sentence credits provided for in Article 4 (§ 53.1-202.2 et seq.).

Code 1950, § 53-208; 1968, c. 105; 1970, c. 648; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 313; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2; 2022, c. 399.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-188. Conduct records to be kept.
The Director shall keep a record of the conduct of each person confined in a state correctional facility. Each time any prisoner in a state correctional facility is punished, the name of the offender, the offense, the time when the offense was committed, and when and what disciplinary action was taken or sentence was imposed, shall be recorded in a register.

Code 1950, §§ 53-209, 53-215; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-189. Forfeiture and restoration of good conduct allowance and earned sentence credits.
A. Except for credits allowed under § 53.1-191, all or any part of a person's accrued good conduct allowance and earned sentence credits earned after admission to a state correctional facility on any sentence or combination of sentences being served may be forfeited in accordance with rules and regulations of the Director for violation of any written prison rules or regulations.

B. If a prisoner is convicted of escape or attempted escape from any correctional facility, such person shall, upon being returned to custody, forfeit all accrued good conduct allowance and all earned sentence credits on any sentence or combination of sentences being served, except for credits allowed under § 53.1-191.

C. No good conduct allowance or earned sentence credit which has been forfeited shall be restored except by the Director, whose authority shall not be delegated.

Code 1950, § 53-214; 1974, c. 69; 1980, c. 485; 1981, c. 392; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 734; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2; 2020, c. 759.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-190. Allowance on discharge; transportation; clothing.
The Director, upon the release of a prisoner who has served at least eight months, shall give the prisoner all funds accumulated to his credit pursuant to §§ 53.1-42 and 53.1-43 and not withdrawn by him. In the event such funds do not total twenty-five dollars, the Director may add sufficient money from the appropriation to the Department to enable the prisoner to have a minimum of twenty-five dollars available for withdrawal by him at the time of his release. The Director also may provide such person upon his request with transportation to the county or city where he was committed, or to such other point in the Commonwealth as may be approved by the Director. Such person may also be furnished suitable clothing.

Code 1950, § 53-219; 1964, c. 421; 1970, c. 648; 1982, c. 636.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-191. Credits allowed in cases of injuries to or extraordinary services performed by prisoners; nonforfeiture of credits hereunder.
The Director, with the consent of the Governor, may allow to any prisoner confined in a state correctional facility a credit toward his term of confinement if he (i) renders assistance in preventing the escape of another prisoner or in the apprehension of an escaped prisoner; (ii) gives a blood donation to another prisoner; (iii) voluntarily or at the instance of a prison official renders other extraordinary services; or (iv) suffers bodily injury while in the prison system. The Director shall determine the amount of any such credit for each such service or injury. In unusual circumstances a prisoner may receive credit for donating blood, under regulations prescribed by the Director, to blood banks licensed by or subject to regulations of the State Board of Health. The Director may allow the credit permitted by this section to a prisoner who has been sentenced to the Department of Corrections but who is confined in a local correctional facility.

Except as provided hereafter, any credit allowed under the provisions of this section shall be applied as provided in § 53.1-199. A prisoner who has been sentenced to a term of life imprisonment or to two or more life sentences shall be eligible for credits allowed under the provisions of this section. One-half of such credit shall be applied to reduce the period of time such prisoner shall serve before being eligible for parole.

Credits allowed under the provisions of this section may not be forfeited under § 53.1-189. Credits shall not be allowed under the provisions of this section to apply toward a term of confinement imposed upon a conviction of a felony offense committed on or after January 1, 1995.

Code 1950, § 53-220; 1952, c. 8; 1976, c. 209; 1981, c. 392; 1982, c. 636; 1984, c. 253; 1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2; 2002, c. 59; 2020, c. 759.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-192. Applicability of article.
The provisions of this article shall be applicable only to those persons who were convicted, sentenced and committed to the Department prior to July 1, 1981, and who, in accordance with § 53.1-198, are not governed by the system of good conduct allowances established in Article 3 (§ 53.1-198 et seq.) of this chapter.

1982, c. 636.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-193. Good conduct credits for persons convicted prior to October 1, 1942; effect of credit upon eligibility for parole.
Every person convicted of a felony before October 1, 1942, except those referenced in § 53.1-194, shall, for every month that he is held in confinement after June 24, 1944, in any state correctional facility, without violating any prison rule or regulation, be allowed a credit of thirty days upon the total term of confinement to which he has been sentenced, in addition to the time he actually serves. Any credit allowed under the provisions of this section shall also be considered as reducing the term of imprisonment to which the prisoner was or is sentenced for the purpose of determining his eligibility for parole.

Code 1950, § 53-210; 1979, c. 415; 1982, c. 636.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-194. Good conduct credits for prisoners committing crimes, pardon violators and escapees convicted prior to October 1, 1942; effect of credit upon eligibility for parole.
Every person convicted of a felony before October 1, 1942, who had once before been convicted of a felony and regularly discharged from the state corrections system, or who, prior to June 24, 1944, had been returned to a state correctional facility for violating the terms of a conditional pardon, or who had been convicted of a crime while serving his sentence in a state correctional facility, or who had escaped or attempted to escape from a state correctional facility or from a local correctional facility while awaiting trial or transfer to a state correctional facility, shall, for every month he is confined in any state correctional facility after such date, without violating any prison rule or regulation, be allowed a credit of fifteen days upon the total term of confinement to which he has been sentenced, in addition to the time he actually serves. Every person convicted of a felony before October 1, 1942, who is returned thereafter to a state correctional facility for violating the terms of a conditional pardon, or who commits a crime while serving his sentence in a state correctional facility, or who escapes or attempts to escape from a state correctional facility, shall, for every twenty days he is held in confinement after his return to a state correctional facility or after the commission of such crime, or after such escape or attempted escape, without violating any prison rule or regulation, be allowed a credit of only ten days upon the total term of confinement to which he has been sentenced, in addition to the time he actually serves.

Any credit allowed under the provisions of this section shall also be considered as reducing the term of imprisonment to which the prisoner was or is sentenced for the purpose of determining his eligibility for parole.

So much of an order of any court contrary to the provisions of this section shall be deemed null and void.

Code 1950, § 53-211; 1952, c. 142; 1979, c. 415; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-195. Credits earned prior to 1944.
Such credit as any person may have earned pursuant to § 53.1-193 or § 53.1-194 and not forfeited prior to June 24, 1944, shall remain to his credit, unless forfeited as hereinafter provided.

Code 1950, § 53-212; 1982, c. 636.
Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-196. Good conduct credits of persons convicted after October 1, 1942; effect of credit upon eligibility for parole.
Every person convicted of a felony on or after October 1, 1942 and every person convicted of a misdemeanor and confined in any state correctional facility shall, for every twenty days of confinement after sentence, either in a local correctional facility awaiting transfer to the Department or in any state correctional facility serving the sentence imposed upon him, without violation of any written jail or prison rule or regulation, be allowed a credit of ten days upon his total term of confinement to which he has been sentenced, in addition to the time he actually serves. So much of the credit allowed to misdemeanants by this section as applies to time served prior to June 24, 1944, shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any credit they may have earned under the law as it existed prior to such date.

Any credit allowed under the provisions of this section shall also be considered as reducing the term of imprisonment to which the prisoner was or is sentenced for the purpose of determining his eligibility for parole.

So much of an order of any court contrary to the provisions of this section shall be deemed null and void.

Code 1950, § 53-213; 1970, c. 648; 1972, c. 487; 1973, c. 208; 1974, c. 533; 1977, c. 182; 1982, c. 636.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-197. Credit allowed for career and technical educational or other educational training.
Every person sentenced to the Department, while in a local or state correctional facility, who participates in career and technical education or other training while confined, or who shows such interest and application in his work assignment as to exhibit unusual progress toward rehabilitation, may, in the discretion of the Director be allowed a credit toward his parole eligibility date and upon the total term of confinement to which he has been sentenced. Such credit may be from one day to five days for each month he has been engaged in such career and technical education or other training or has applied himself in excess of minimal work assignment requirements. Any credit accumulated prior to June 1, 1975, toward the term of confinement may, in the discretion of the Director, be credited toward such prisoner's parole eligibility date.

Code 1950, § 53-213.1; 1968, c. 302; 1973, c. 204; 1975, c. 244; 1976, c. 180; 1982, c. 636; 2001, c. 483.

Code of Virginia — Title 53.1 (Prisons and Other Methods of Correction), Chapter 6 (COMMENCEMENT OF TERMS; CREDITS AND ALLOWANCES)
§ 53.1-197.1. Limitation upon applicability of this article.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any sentence imposed upon a conviction of a felony offense committed on or after January 1, 1995.

1994, 2nd Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2.