Virginia legislators call for new superintendent at Riverside Regional Jail

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) – Virginia Delegate Carrie Coyner (R) and Senator Laschrecse Aird (D) have called for what they’re calling a proper investment in a new superintendent for Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County.

Both state legislators gathered at the General Assembly on Monday, May 20 to discuss what they described as a crisis of leadership. Del. Coyner said these issues go back several years, Sen. Aird echoed those sentiments.

“A chronic history of inadequate care among those housed there and high levels of drug use by those there are findings that have been documented,” Aird said about the facility.

According to inspections, 18 deaths occurred at the facility from 2020 to 2022. Independent inspections also revealed a total of five violations of essential conditions in 2022. This includes poor suicide prevention measures, substandard medical care and lax security protocols that demand immediate attention and decisive action.

Former inmate Libbie Roberts said her four years in and out of the jail were a ‘fight for survival.’

“When you have 60 women in one unit fighting over three showers and two phones, you know, you basically become feral in that environment,” Roberts said. “It’s just inhumane the way that they treat the members of their society at one of those times when they need more assistance and compassion.”

Roberts said she battled substance abuse issues and many others who entered the facility dealt with the same issues once inside.

“People are left sitting in their own filth, their own vomit, their own feces, they’re denied acute medical care,” Roberts said.

Legislators said the process of filling the superintendent role has already begun. Roberts said care and kindness will go a long way for whoever takes the job.

“We all have bad days, and we all make bad decisions and that the individuals that you’re serving in that institution are not at the best point of their lives,” Roberts said about the inmates. They’re your brother, they’re your neighbor, they’re your friends. They made bad choices and they’re there to pay the price for those choices, just remember that when you’re dealing with them.”

More information on the recruitment process can be found here .

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