Types of Supervision
We provide community supervision programs to support offenders in their re-entry journeys. Learn more about the levels and types of supervision we offer at the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC).
Supervision Levels
A type of supervision can be categorized into one of these supervision levels in correspondence with an offender’s treatment plan.
Intensive Supervision
Intensive supervision is available by court order, order from another governing authority, or assessed risk level.
This level of supervision requires more frequent, extensive contact between the officer and assigned offender in the office and in the community.
Medium-Level Supervision
If a probationer/parolee’s assessed risk level is medium, the frequency and type of follow-up contacts are established and driven by a collaborative Case Plan.
Low-Level Supervision
If an offender’s risk assessment is low, and they are not otherwise exempted by operating procedure or court order, he or she may be assigned to low-level supervision. This includes regular interviews, GPS location, and biometric recognition or verification.
Offenders under low-level supervision are required to check in monthly, answer a series of interview questions, maintain residence at an approved location, and provide proof of existence using biometric recognition.
Community Residential Programs
Overview
We began contracting transitional residential centers in 1985 using federal grant funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Our Community Residential Programs (CRPs) may be used for any probationer or parolee as needed for gradual release, program participation, or to resolve crisis situations.
Program participants receive supervised housing, random urinalysis testing, life skills, employment coaching, referrals for educational assistance and medical assistance, and basic counseling for substance abuse and mental health issues.
Participants are required to pay for room and board. Room and board funds are based on income and go toward the Commonwealth of Virginia General Fund.
Code(s)
See Code of Virginia §53.1-179
Eligibility
- No pattern of violence
- Mentally and physically able to participate
- Lacks stable residence or needs transition from incarceration
- Must meet facility criteria
Length
Approximately 90 days
Services
- Food and shelter
- Urinalysis
- Basic life skills
- Substance abuse education
- Individual/group counseling
- Employment coaching
Substance Use Disorder Services
Overview
We provide substance abuse screening, assessment, testing and treatment programs for probationers/parolees in our care who committed felony offenses. We use an assessment tool, the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions-R (COMPAS-R) for male supervisees and the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) for female supervisees, to analyze and determine the risk and needs of everyone for this program.
Probation and parole districts may have a memorandum of agreement with their respective Community Service Boards (CSB) or may use contract vendors for treatment services. Numerous private contractors also provide outpatient or residential services.
Code(s)
See Code of Virginia §18.2-251.01, §53.1-145
Eligibility
Determined by COMPAS-R or WRNA score and/or indication of use
Length
Length of time in treatment depends on the type of treatment, and the level of care.
Services
Substance Use Disorder Programs and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
- Evidence-based assessments
- Substance abuse programs
- Cognitive behavior interventions
- Urinalysis
Sex Offender Supervision
Overview
We embrace a collaborative supervision model for all sex offenders and use a team approach. Our teams consist of probation and parole officers, treatment providers, polygraph examiners, and other necessary stakeholders in the community.
Treatment is based on evidence and research. We use dynamic risk assessment tools to assess an offender’s risk level and supervision needs. We hold contracts with private providers for sex offender treatment and polygraph services.
Code(s)
N/A
Eligibility
Based on recommendations from our risk assessment tools, COMPAS-R or WRNA, and our staff.
Length
Determined by our team at the VADOC.
Services
Treatment programs from our team at the VADOC and our trusted providers. These programs include our Sex Offender Awareness Program (SOAP) and Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTX).
GPS Monitoring
Overview
A court order, the Virginia Parole Board, or the Code of Virginia may require the use of GPS supervision, which supplements and complements intensive and regular supervision level services. Courts may also assign individuals to a home/electronic incarceration program instead of incarceration in a state or local correctional facility.
We have experienced steady growth in this type of supervision and currently contract with an outside vendor to provide a one-piece unit, as well as a 24-hour monitoring center.
Sex offenders will be subject to electronic monitoring by Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS) tracking device, or other similar device if:
- They are under supervision for certain sexual offenses
- They are sexually violent predators under conditional release supervision
- They are under supervision for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Code(s)
See Code of Virginia §19.2-303, §19.2-295.2:1, §37.2-908, §53.1-131.2
Eligibility
As determined by a court order, the Virginia Parole Board, or the Code of Virginia.
Length
Determined by our staff at the VADOC.
Services
- Computerized random checks and GPS tracking data
Voice Verification Biometrics Monitoring
Overview
A court order, the Virginia Parole Board, or the Code of Virginia may require the use of voice verification biometric monitoring, which supplements and complements intensive, medium, and low-level supervision level services.
Code(s)
N/A
Eligibility
Probationers/parolees assessed as low-risk in accordance with VADOC-accepted assessment protocols and with supervisor's approval.
Length
Determined by the maximum expiration date of supervision established by the court, Parole Board, or other entity with authority to do so.
Services
Probationers/parolees are assigned a specialist who is part of the VADOC's Voice Verification Biometrics Unit. New information must be reported to their specialist within three days, similar to when they were under the supervision of a district officer.
As a probationer or parolee, below are ways you can contact your specialist.
- Call the Voice Verification Biometrics Unit's main number at (804) 372-4633 if you have any questions or would like to relay important information. This includes a change of phone number, change of address (remaining in Virginia) or to request out-of-state travel. Please leave a message after the appropriate prompt.
- You can receive text reminders for your monthly interviews. Text the word START to the toll-free number (888) 992-0601. You will need to repeat this process any time you update your phone number.
- For travel requests, leave your name, the specific address of where you wish to travel, when you wish to travel, and when you intend to return. For domestic out-of-state travel, one week prior notice is required to allow time for a specialist to investigate and respond with approval or denial. If approved, you will receive a call or text from the specialist with any follow up instructions. No signed documentation is required. For international travel requests, a least one month's notice is required. The decision to grant or deny a request to travel outside of the United States is left to the discretion of the Chief Probation Officer of the supervisee’s sentencing jurisdiction and signed documentation is required.
Gang Supervision
Overview
Probationers or parolees identified as gang members will be tracked and monitored while on probation by a gang specialist probation officer. Based on the chief probation officer or designee of the district's decision, the individual identified as a gang member may be supervised by other probation officers based on the convicted crimes (e.g. sex offender).
Code(s)
See Code of Virginia §18.2-46.1, §18.2-46.2, §19.2-299
Eligibility
All VADOC probationers and parolees who are identified as gang members, either when incarcerated or while on probation.
Length
Determined by our team at the VADOC.
Services
Treatment from our team at the VADOC.