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.”