Section 53.1-17.4 - Access to facilities and recordsA. The Office shall have reasonable access, upon request in person or in writing and with or without prior notice, to all Department facilities, including all areas that are used by inmates, all areas that are accessible to inmates, and to programs for inmates, at reasonable times, which at a minimum shall include normal working and visiting hours. This authority includes the opportunity to conduct an interview with any inmate, Department employee or contractor, or other person. This access is to (i) provide information about individual rights and the services available from the Office, including the name, address, and telephone number of the Office facilities or staff; (ii) conduct official inspections as defined in § 53.1-17.6; (iii) conduct an official investigation as provided in § 53.1-17.7; and (iv) inspect, view, photograph, and record by video all areas of the facility that are used by inmates or are accessible to inmates. However, Committee members may not visit incarcerated family members outside of Department visitation policies and procedures. The Office shall preserve the confidentiality of any information obtained from the Department in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.B. Access to inmates includes the opportunity to meet and communicate privately and confidentially with individuals regularly, with or without prior notice, both formally and informally, by telephone, mail, and electronic communication and in person. In the case of communications with inmates, these communications shall not be monitored by, recorded by, or conducted in the presence of employees or contractors of the Department. Meetings with inmates may be recorded by members of the Office at their discretion and with the inmate's consent. Any such recordings are subject to the provisions of § 53.1-17.5.C. The Office shall provide a statewide toll-free telephone number, website, and mailing address for the receipt of complaints and inquiries.D. The Office shall have the right to access, inspect, and copy all relevant information, records, or documents in the possession or control of the Department, with the exception of confidential employee files, that the Office considers necessary in an investigation of a complaint filed under this article, and the Department shall assist the Office in obtaining the necessary releases for those documents that are specifically restricted or privileged for use by the Office. The Office shall preserve the confidentiality of any information obtained from the Department in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.E. Access to Department employees or contractors includes the opportunity to meet and communicate privately and confidentially with individuals during inspections or normal working hours, with or without prior notice, both formally and informally, by telephone, mail, and electronic communication and in person. Meetings with Department employees or contractors may be recorded by members of the Office at their discretion and with the individual's consent.F. The Office shall have the power to issue a subpoena to the Department for records, documents, or data in the Department's possession, and for Department staff, contractors, or representatives to appear and provide information to the Office. Subpoenas so issued shall be served and, upon application to the court by the Office, enforced in the manner provided by law for the service and enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action. Department employees may have counsel or a representative from their employee organization present during testimony.G. Following notification from the Office of a written request for access to Department records, the designated Department staff shall provide the Office with access to the requested documentation not later than 20 days after receipt of the written request. If the records requested pertain to (i) an inmate death; (ii) threats of bodily harm, including sexual or physical assaults; or (iii) the denial of necessary medical treatment, the records shall be provided within five days unless the Office consents to an extension.H. The Office shall work with the Department to minimize disruption to operations of the Department due to an investigation by the Office. The Office shall comply with the Department security processes, provided these processes do not impede the investigation or resulting activities of the Office.Amended by Acts 2024 c. 393,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Added by Acts 2024 c. 392,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.