— State lawmakers said they were "heated" and "frustrated" as they grilled the director of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) over concerning conditions at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center Bon Air is Virginia's only youth prison which houses over 160 young people who have been convicted of serious crimes most of which involve violence against another person The Commission on Youth requested DJJ Director Amy Floriano to present before the body of lawmakers on Tuesday to respond to "disturbing reports" of incidents at the facility in recent months Legislators wanted answers about extended lockdowns reports of residents lighting fires in the facility a perceived lack of access to rehabilitative programming and conditions of confinement for the youth in DJJ's custody “We’re hearing from parents and advocates that they're locked in there for a whole weekend in solitary confinement That's not the practice that we want to see Bon Air adopt," said Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) The commission's meeting came just one day after multiple members of the Board of Juvenile Justice said they were also concerned about the ongoing persistent allegations of safety issues and troublesome conditions and requested a more in-depth assessment of what's actually happening at the facility Watch: Board members call for action on concerns about Bon Air youth prison conditions Lawmakers 'frustrated' over director's presentation Floriano spent a good chunk of her presentation giving an overview of her department at large explaining the process of how court-involved youth end up at Bon Air have grown increasingly violent and an overwhelming majority of residents have at least one mental health disorder She also showcased pictures of some of the programs and events at Bon Air including one activity where the residents simulated a trip to Jamaica they had their little airplane that they came up with and the food that they prepared was considered to be a Jamaican meal," Floriano said "I think that some of the misconception is sometimes that the kids are always behind the door These are the photographs of them not being behind the door." But some lawmakers felt that Floriano was missing the point and avoiding the important topics they wanted to focus on “I’m a little heated and I’m a little upset that we’ve spent all this time doing an overview of the department when there are rumors and we’re coming here today to figure out what’s going on at Bon Air," said Delegate Joshua Cole (D-Fredericksburg) “I’m frustrated that until delegates and senators started interacting with this presentation we spent 32 of your 42 minutes talking about things that have nothing to do with the safety and well-being of everyone who's at Bon Air," said Delegate Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield) "I look at the photos in your presentation Senator David Suetterlein (R-Roanoke) said he was appreciative of Floriano's presentation and acknowledged she was in a challenging position "I also think that it's unfair to ask about something and dismiss why we would want to hear about any of the positive things happening there It's obvious that there's tons of information here that the director is trying to share with us," Suetterlein said Floriano 'not surprised' by fire incidents whose district includes Chesterfield County where the facility is located said she has met with county leaders to discuss the issues surrounding Bon Air When emergencies occur at Bon Air, local first responders are called for assistance, and a previous CBS 6 review of public records found multiple calls for service last year for repeated reports of residents starting fires in their units Coyner referenced a letter that Chesterfield Fire Chief Edward Senter sent to a state fire agency in March 2025 which stated the number of annual incidents at the facility requiring a fire and EMS response has more than doubled since 2023 Senter said the most concerning increases were reports of malicious sprinkler activations and intentionally set fires there have already been seven reports of intentionally set fires which is already a higher number than what was reported in all of 2024 Senter wrote that this pattern at Bon Air is "likely a symptom of much deeper issues at the facility that must be addressed by DJJ" and jeopardizes the safety of residents there's someone in Chesterfield County that also doesn't have somebody available on the other end of the line because they're at Bon Air," Coyner said Floriano said that there were only three residents responsible for lighting fires and added the sprinkler activations are "pervasive in any correctional facility." "I think that that's kind of a win for the behaviors that these kids usually engage in If that's the worst of the behavior that they are engaging in then I think that we're expecting too much of them to come down too hard on nuisance behavior," Floriano said She said DJJ has responded to the fire incidents by removing the items that residents are using to start them She said the incidents did not stem from a lack of staffing or supervision “Am I surprised that we have three youth in the facility that are starting fires we have a percentage of youth in there that are seeking behaviors They have mental health issues that come along with them and they engage in these types of behaviors," she said he "questioned the logic of accepting such risks as a matter of doing business and allowing known juvenile fire setters to have access to ignition sources and combustibles particularly in such a confined environment." Multiple advocates, former employees, and parents of residents have reported extended periods of lockdowns that seem to occur frequently throughout the facility. A former staff member noted in an exit interview last year that the youth were "constantly locked down due to the staff shortage which is completely inhumane." five "modified lockdowns" which only applied to specific units and five lockdowns that occurred due to quarterly searches there have been "administrative holds" in which residents were sent to their rooms for behavior issues Floriano said youth will sometimes "qualify" an administrative hold as a lockdown residents do not have access to showers but are given "hygiene kits" instead They can have administrative holds due to behavior I do have to make sure that the remaining children in my facility are safe if someone is not capable of managing their own behavior at that time," Floriano said But Coyner was uninterested in debating the differences in definitions between the types of lockdowns “I continue to be frustrated by saying something is not a lockdown when you're understaffed and kids cannot move about the facility because there was a lack of staffing which to every person would feel like is a lockdown," Coyner said "So when you say there have only been ten lockdowns if we all have to sit and watch the videos in your facility for months on end Coyner said in a recent letter that she spoke with a former resident of Bon Air who was transferred to the Chesterfield County Jail after being charged with assaulting staff members at Bon Air She said the resident alleged "that starting on Fridays at 4-5pm they will likely be locked in their cells until Monday due to insufficient staffing to let them out" which "resulted in limits on phone calls to family recreation time and other opportunities for positive interactions." When asked whether DJJ utilized solitary confinement Floriano said "solitary confinement as a punishment is not something that we are using as punitive isolation They are in their rooms occasionally due to behavioral issues." Floriano was also asked about the recent news of a former correctional officer who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a juvenile resident in May of 2024 Chesterfield Police said 60-year-old Cedric Thomas has been charged with three counts of indecent liberties with a child by a custodian and one count of object sexual penetration Floriano said he was "an individual who'd been with the agency for a substantial part of time." Court records revealed Thomas has since retired from DJJ and is receiving a monthly retirement check from the state DJJ said Thomas' retirement was approved before the conclusion of its internal investigation After learning of the allegations from the victim Floriano said DJJ "did exactly what we should do." and we immediately worked with the facility once we were able to identify who the suspect was," she said "Those are actions that happen behind closed doors and in situations where we have to rely on the child feeling comfortable to disclose to us even with the allegations and the perceptions on safety that this child at this time felt safe enough in the facility to disclose what had happened to her." Floriano said she believed there were more victims and that "that behavior has allegedly potentially happened numerous times over the past 20 years." Critical staffing shortage 'beyond our control' Floriano acknowledged that a lack of staffing is the "biggest problem" facing her agency While lawmakers requested specific data on exactly how understaffed Bon Air is Floriano declined to disclose that information DJJ has also previously declined to disclose that data in response to CBS 6 public records requests When asked by Senator Favola whether the facility was "woefully understaffed," Floriano said the facility is at "critical staffing." Floriano said staffing concerns were a "historic issue" dating back to 2016 and that it's an area where legislative assistance would be helpful "We've been very clear and very vocal requesting raises We've presented in front of Senate Finance multiple times and we need some assistance and some support in that area." The agency has taken some recent steps to try and bolster staffing including special pay incentives for security workers was sympathetic to the challenges of hiring more correctional officers "The entire criminal justice system has been suffering a shortage in staffing it's corrections specialists," Babichenko said "We need to have a full conversation about that specifically with recruitment and retention and how do we get good people to be in these roles then none of the rest of the conversation even matters." Lawmakers request independent investigation Ultimately, the commission voted unanimously to send a letter to Governor Glenn Youngkin requesting an independent investigation, something at least one Board of Juvenile Justice member has suggested since November 2024 The board's vice chair Scott Kizner reiterated his call for a third-party review of the facility on Monday and said he felt DJJ was "hesitant" toward the idea When Floriano was pressed by lawmakers about why she'd have reservations about an independent investigation she said many claims about Bon Air have contained vague details and have been nonspecific She also questioned whether an outside group would be able to access confidential information about juveniles “I can't study something without the details of what it is I am prevented by [state law] from discussing the specific details of a youth case who's going to do that that can have access to this information?” Floriano said I'm absolutely going to investigate that." You certainly have confidentiality rules you have to abide by There's also some structural and systemic issues that can be looked at from an organizational standpoint that would benefit from an independent investigative authority." Senator Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax) said he supported an investigation but also floated the idea of considering legislation that would bring DJJ under the purview of a newly created ombudsman tasked with investigating allegations regarding adult correctional centers who seemed the most skeptical of the allegations surrounding Bon Air also supported the request for an investigation but cautioned others from jumping to conclusions without first gathering the facts "I think that we should allow more time for the director to share things today I don't think it was as good to move through this quickly," he said DJJ has brought in external reviews before, including a 2024 safety and culture assessment which identified at the time overwhelmed and unsatisfied employees who felt unsafe along with youth experiencing "high levels of idleness and boredom" and an "abundant lack of meaningful engagement." that report was not discussed among the Board of Juvenile Justice “And it seems like we're dismissive when we get a report that says you could do better but I believe even the best could do better So we'll see what happens," Kizner told CBS 6 Monday DJJ also recently engaged the Department of Planning and Budget to complete an assessment of the facility's psychological services CBS 6 requested the report through a Freedom of Information Act request citing a public records exemption that protects mandatory disclosure of working papers of the governor CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom opened last month in the Bon Air Shopping Center After years of selling her wares at craft shows a long-running local jewelry designer is upgrading to a more permanent setup in Bon Air Burton recently opened a brick-and-mortar shop called KEBaubles & C0 at 2622 Buford Road in the Bon Air Shopping Center Burton started the business as KEBaubles Jewelry in 2008 traveling to shows throughout the mid-Atlantic region selling one-of-a-kind bracelets Locals may have seen her pop up over the years at Richmond’s Oktoberfest or Arts in the Park But her story with jewelry begins much earlier Though Burton knew as a child she had a creative streak it wasn’t until she started a job at age 16 at Bangles and Beads on West Cary Street in the mid-1980s that she knew she had a passion for making jewelry That led her to continue working at the shop on and off for years and then to VCU where she concentrated her studies on crafts “When you’re getting a crafts degree no one actually has any faith that you’ll do anything with it,” Burton said “They picture macaroni and popsicle sticks Keeping count since her first KEBaubles Jewelry necklace in 2008 Burton told BizSense she’s currently working on her 9,129th There are also at least a thousand KEBaubles Jewelry bracelets out there The 1,200-square-foot Buford Road space was previously occupied for more than 20 years by women’s clothing store Sterling Boutique When the boutique’s owners told Burton the shop would be closing last September Having spent most of her life in Bon Air and living nearby Burton felt the shop location was the right fit Betsy Mangum of Sperity Real Estate Ventures represented KEBaubles & Co work incorporates natural gemstones and crystals along with earthy and celestial motifs for a funky yet refined look Burton said she’s seen Bon Air locals’ excitement about a new woman-owned business in the shopping center “[Residents] are excited to have something in it they’re excited to have something new and fun,” Burton said “They all say how much lighter and brighter and whimsical it is.”  Even though her main product is her jewelry Burton doesn’t want the new shop to feel like a showroom and she encourages customers to come and touch the items “I wanted it to be a tactile experience,” she said “I want people to feel free to walk around with a necklace in their hand and hold it up to a garment.” Burton also places an emphasis on supporting local Virginia vendors and has some items from businesses like Rice-based Mam Jam’s Candle Company and Mechanicsville’s Wandering Cow Farm KEBaubles & Co. is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Bon Air Shopping Center is also known for Joe’s Inn Bon Air restaurant and café Perk! 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Update my browser now × Coming up Who: Lower Burrell CouncilWhat: Review and vote on renovation proposals for Bon Air Elementary SchoolWhen: 7 p.m TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need Regardless of which option Burrell School Board chooses when it comes to renovating Bon Air Elementary School it has the support of Lower Burrell’s planning commission The commission recommended approval of plans that add cafeteria and kitchen space to Bon Air or additional cafeteria space and six additional classrooms at the school “It’s been well-discussed among the school board at great length,” said commission Chairman Ray Rieser “They’re the ones who have the dog in the fight “Our purpose is to make sure all the zoning laws have been applied voted to close Stewart Elementary School due to declining enrollment and the need for costly infrastructure upgrades Renovating Stewart would have cost $17 million on top of the other $24 million worth of projects the district is considering at its other schools Fourth grade students will go to Bon Air next year and fifth grade students will go to Charles A Added cafeteria and kitchen space is necessary at Bon Air to accommodate the additional grade level there Plans presented by architect Andreas Dometakis showed the additional cafeteria and kitchen space would be about 8,400 square feet That space would be built onto the existing cafeteria behind the school Some of the existing cafeteria space could be used as a multipurpose area for the school and community we’re able to have two (grade level) lunches at one time,” Wagner said and a rebuilt road path behind the school for kitchen deliveries and a heating and cooling project at Bon Air are estimated to cost about $10 million would bring estimated costs up to about $14 million Those six additional classrooms would only be necessary if the district decided to move fifth grade classes to Bon Air after next school year No additions are necessary at the middle school with the additional grade level this year “This has been so thoroughly reviewed by the engineer and school board,” Rieser said “We want to let them get construction started as quickly as possible.” The school board this week gave administrators the go-ahead to advertise for bids for the Bon Air projects It will do so once it gets city council’s approval Council will vote during its meeting May 12 Mayor Chris Fabry declined to comment on the proposal saying the plans haven’t been formally presented to city council the district plans to advertise for bids in May and award contracts in June ultimately determining whether it wants to include the classroom additions or not Wagner hopes the project would be complete by the 2026-27 school year As the school board considers proposals at Bon Air it also has to come to grips with $10 million worth of boiler replacements and a heating and cooling project at Burrell High School Wagner said the school board will consider advertising the high school’s HVAC project in June and possibly meet in July to award a contract School directors last fall took out a $10 million bond to pay for construction projects in the district They intend to take out another $10 million bond to cover the rest of the projects With recent ebbs and flows to the bond market Wagner said the district will take the advice of its bond counsel as to when it’s best to take out the second bond Taking two $10 million bonds is cheaper for the district than one $20 million bond “The district works with our underwriter for information and guidance relating to the bond market and potential impacts on our district and potential bond issues,” said Burrell Business Manager Jennifer Callahan Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com Stay up-to-date on important news from TribLIVE 1-800-909-8742 © 2025 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved About Us Advertise Career Opportunities Contact Advertising Contact Circulation Contact Newsroom Contact Us Feedback Request Correction Resource Center Scholarship Opportunities Send Letter to the Editor Send News Tip Subscribe Subscriber Services Blog eFeatures Email Newsletters eTrib Facebook Home Delivery Instagram LinkedIn Marketing Minute Store Locations TribLIVE App - App Store TribLIVE App - Google Play X (formerly Twitter) Arts & Entertainment Best of the Best Business Directory Circulars Contests Coronavirus Lifestyles Local News YaJagOff Obituaries Opinion Our Publications Photos Real Estate Sports Video Weather Cookie Settings Privacy Policy Terms of Service — As some state lawmakers seek action to address troubling allegations regarding conditions at Virginia's only youth prison the state's juvenile justice director is raising questions about how one legislator obtained information about the facility through youth formerly incarcerated there Earlier this month, the Commission on Youth, a body comprised of lawmakers and members appointed by the governor, voted unanimously to send a letter to Governor Glenn Youngkin to formally request an independent investigation into what it called "systemic safety and maltreatment issues" at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center The commission's letter called the reported issues "harmful" to the youth's rehabilitative journey Among the concerned lawmakers was Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner who represents Chesterfield County where the facility is located During the commission's April meeting on this topic she had strong words for Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice Amy Floriano who had given a presentation to the commission about her department and the facility "If you're going to argue that kids are not kept in their rooms that things aren't happening because they're bored and they aren't going to school regularly then I think someone should sit and look at all the video because what we keep hearing is you saying that's not occurring and yet something has dramatically changed that has resulted in significant significant life and safety issues at Bon Air," Coyner said during the meeting Coyner noted that she recently met with two former Bon Air residents who had been transferred to the Chesterfield County Jail on charges in connection to an incident that happened at the juvenile correctional facility in January According to a criminal complaint filed in court the defendants were accused of assaulting a security officer and lifting him up to be "taken down" to the ground The officer hit his head against a wall and sustained a concussion Court records show that at least one of the residents was charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer and malicious wounding by mob "When young men have been in our Chesterfield County adult jail one of them in particular for when I spoke with him for over two months and I'm able to talk with our sheriff about what a model young man he's been and the therapist he's been seeing.. and then you talk to him about why he made the decision he made that got him put into an adult jail out of Bon Air at Riverside or the Chesterfield County Jail the reality is things are not going well at Bon Air," Coyner said While the purpose of Coyner's conversation with the young men was to learn more about the conditions at Bon Air Floriano is now raising concerns about how it happened and what was said In a letter she sent to the Chesterfield Commonwealth's Attorney and Chief Public Defender and filed in the court records system Floriano said her department "immediately began an investigation" after learning about the conversation Floriano said her team was unable to locate any visitation records documenting Delegate Coyner's visit to the jail and that it was "unknown" whether her visit was "sanctioned" by the defendant's counsel or parent Floriano said Chesterfield authorities confirmed that since this was a visit from officials it became a concern that perhaps this conversation occurred under the cloak of darkness," Floriano wrote She said she was advised by her counsel to notify the inmate's defense and prosecution that the conversation took place and that the defendant might have "made admissions related to his actions and motivations in the context of his pending criminal charges." Floriano added that those admissions could contain "potentially exculpatory or inculpatory information" which could impact the fairness of legal proceedings if counsel was not informed both Delegate Coyner and Sheriff Leonard dismissed Floriano's concerns and said any suggestion that the inmates gave up information related to the ongoing criminal case is inaccurate who runs the county jail and said he accommodated Coyner's request to speak with the inmates said he was "disappointed" Floriano did not talk to him directly about the questions she posed in her letter he said he was "offended by her assertion that this was done under 'cloak and darkness.'" The sheriff said he was present for Coyner's entire meeting with the inmates to ensure no questions were asked about the criminal charges in an effort to protect the case He said both inmates were aware of that and no parental permission was needed because they are adults Coyner said she did not discuss "the charges or proceedings against either inmate and the accusations Amy Floriano made are wrong." She said she was troubled by what she learned from the inmates regarding the conditions at the facility including that low staffing limited their ability to participate in "school or other rehabilitative programming" and increased the amount of time they spent in isolation in their cells As a result of her conversation with the youth Coyner sent a letter to Floriano in late March demanding answers about staffing levels and data on serious incidents at the facility Coyner said Floriano did not answer most of her questions "I brought my findings to the Commission on Youth because we must take meaningful action to improve conditions for incarcerated youth," Coyner said in a statement to CBS 6 It's not yet clear how Governor Youngkin plans to respond to the commission's request for an investigation “The administration has received and is reviewing the Commission’s letter The Governor has deep appreciation for Director Floriano’s leadership at the Department of Juvenile Justice.” Customize your experience so you see the stories most important to you And sign up for personalized notifications so you don't miss any important news While Americans were settling down to watch the Super Bowl Chesterfield County’s youth jail was descending into chaos A jailbreak of sorts had occurred: 11 minors had gained free rein of their unit and had begun screaming The sole guard on duty in the unit had barricaded herself in an office and called police “16 in the unit and 10 on the floor that they are aware of,” reads a transcript of the 911 call Virginia State Police announced it had resolved an “incident” at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center that incident was a minor hostage situation that required a snap reaction from police armed with pepperball guns including some charged with violent crimes The Bon Air detention center is run by the Department of Juvenile Justice which said no staff were ultimately harmed the youths were back in custody approximately a half-hour after the jail called for police backup the agency said it struggled to control “11 noncompliant and potentially violent youth.” Chesterfield police spokesperson Liz Caroon said police used pepperball guns as part of that effort No investigation into the incident has yet been released police dispatchers said “one of them got out of the tray slot.” It is a lot of commotion but still can’t see them .. (they) know (police) are here and are prepping for them to come inside .. saying its their Superbowl and they are going to win,” reads the disjointed transcript from dispatchers Security staff could not see into the unit because the youths had covered up the facility’s security cameras the sole staff member barricaded in the unit had put “a desk or file cabinet in front of the door” while on the phone with police but she has locked herself in the office," dispatch said "The staff member has barricaded herself in the office so they can't get to her." It is not clear exactly how many security staff were working that afternoon The Department of Juvenile Justice said it could not share that information dispatchers said the situation was under control — that everyone was in custody and the fire had been put out “The situation was quickly brought under control and remains under investigation,” said the Department of Juvenile Justice in a news release issued the next day A spokesperson for the agency said the jail deals with “a very challenging population with high rehabilitative needs.” The detention center houses about 170 youths some of whom are incarcerated due to murder charges some of the behavior exhibited in the community repeats itself in the facility This is to be expected through the therapeutic process and we support and thank the dedicated staff who invest in this high-need population,” said Melodie Martin Martin said the agency was handicapped by a 2014 state law that bars staff at the youth jail from using chemical agents on their wards the agency decided to call external police agencies “The decision stemmed from compliance with procedural and regulatory constraints that prohibit agency and facility personnel from using the tools necessary to engage and bring under control 11 noncompliant and potentially violent youth without endangering staff and residents and without compromising safety in other units,” Martin said The facility had 23 calls to outside police agencies in 2024 more than double the number of 911 calls made the year prior Dispatch logs suggest the facility is frequently reaching out for help a staff member was assaulted and required attention at the facility’s nurses station this time for a staff member who was hit in the head by a resident again requiring outside police to respond to the jail a criminal justice consultant group identified critically low staffing shortages at the youth jail the facility had to redesign nearly all of its programming to work with fewer staff “Residents are restricted almost entirely to living units and report high levels of idleness and boredom,” the report states The Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center has recently struggled with being short-staffed the agency had to call in Chesterfield County police to help restore order after chaos broke out in one of the center’s housing units Reform advocates believe there is a case for shutting down the facility As the state’s sole juvenile detention center it houses a number of children who aren’t from Richmond and live more than an hour away which is believed to hamper a meaningful rehabilitation for kids in custody the oversight agency for the General Assembly recommended downsizing the facility in favor of smaller facilities across the state “Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center is not ideal for effective rehabilitative programming for several reasons: its size its distance from youths’ home communities and its lack of appropriately designed treatment space,” reads the report from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission Martin said the agency tries its best to steer the children at the detention center toward future success Youths who come to the facility avoid alternatives that “are often much more severe,” she said “Engaging juveniles with dignity and respect can achieve life-changing positive outcomes,” she said "(The Department's) goal is always to provide the best rehabilitative care possible." lpowell@timesdispatch.com Investigations and Criminal Justice Reporter Email notifications are only sent once a day And sign up for personalized notifications so you don't miss any impor… The Richmond man was arrested and charged with four crimes related to an incident on Mechanicsville Turnpike that left one man dead The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors approved multiple projects during its monthly meeting including a 260-home development on the Swift Cre… Detectives are not looking for any suspects at this time Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community at this time The fire comes less than a month after the facility brought in Chesterfield police wielding pepperball guns in order to quell a minor riot The position carries the potential for a $6,000 sign-on bonus Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account By Lucille Hancock(R-CNS) – Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center is the last juvenile correctional center in Virginia standing as a relic of the pervasive fear of juvenile offenders An increase in violent incidents over the last two months at BAJCC has brought attention to the lack of resources supplied by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.The facility holds 272 beds and houses mostly males between 11 and 20 years old “protect the public by preparing court-involved and committed youth to be successful citizens,” according to its website.Within the last two months there have been three instances of inmates inciting violence.On the afternoon of Feb 11 residents of a male housing unit became non compliant necessitating the staff to call for additional assistance a resident started a small fire in his cell by using a battery and its connecting wires from headphones according to the facility.Headphones are used as an enrichment tool for juveniles and removing them wouldn’t be in their best interest the director of the Children’s Defense Clinic (CDC) acts as legal defense for many inmates at BAJCC The CDC is a program that allows third-year law students to advocate for indigent juveniles in criminal court She is also a professor of law at the University of  Richmond McConnell explained that the root of the problem with Virginia’s treatment of juveniles began in the 1990s when the concept of the superpredator worked its way into state legislation and government budgeting.John DiIulio a professor at Princeton University who coined the term superpredator in the 1990s insisted that the rise in juvenile offenses would continue to increase if left unaddressed caused widespread panic and worsened the treatment of young people in the court systems and the building of facilities like BAJCC.As the shortcomings of the superpredator myth became clear the 2008 recession took a blow to government spending in every state Virginia began closing the juvenile prisons that the state had overbuilt to warehouse these allegedly heathenistic and pervasive juveniles Rather than reinvesting the prison funds into communities to serve juvenile offenders McConnell said that Virginia’s budgets were simply directed back into the general fund For children in the state system to get the help and support they need “We’re not fully committed to providing those services on the front end We wait until it gets bad enough that we can just incarcerate them families come to the court begging for services and have to wait up to 90 days,” McConnell said “I represent kids in juvenile court every day and have been doing it for 25 years and I find more often than not that we cannot provide the services that kids need.”According to a presentation given Sept “The majority (93%) of youth appeared to have at least one symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) the public information officer for the VDJJ acknowledged in an email the issues of understaffing at BAJCC The problems with staff at the center go beyond a lack of personnel the BAJCC stated that as a result of their investigation wasn arrested on charges of sexual assault of a female prisoner The purported assault took place in May 2024 when Thomas was employed to supervise and maintain the security of the juveniles incarcerated at BAJCC The DJJ said that assault was not reported to Chesterfield Police until June 28 after the DJJ investigation had identified the perpetrator A grand jury issued indictments 10 months later The DJJ maintains that the incident was not reported to them until weeks later The female prisoner has since been relocated and her identity has not been shared Police said that “based on the investigation detectives believe Thomas may have additional victims in the community.”Despite lawmaker’s call for an independent investigation into the BAJCC Martin has refused to comment on the recent issues at the center Press releases have been shared with the public but news sources are generally being denied any further information The Prison Rape Elimination Act states that “The agency shall require all staff to report immediately and according to agency policy any knowledge or information regarding an incident of sexual abuse or sexual harassment that occurred in a facility.”PREA is a set of national zero tolerance guidelines that all prisons must abide by These standards require any abuses of inmates under 18 or any adult considered vulnerable to be mandated to report the allegation to designated state or local services there are more specific requirements set forth regarding evidence collection and trained officials Given the lack of complete timeline provided by BAJCC a timely response to the allegation may not have been possible the Commission on Youth called for a closer look “into the operations and other practices at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center to assist the Department of Juvenile Justice in making the changes necessary.” McConnell placed a heavy emphasis on the necessity of positive social environments within interaction centers for juveniles which would allow them to better reenter the community the mental health services and educational resources offered at BAJCC place them on a successful path; for some Many incarcerated at BAJCC face a lack of positive social interaction To end up incarcerated at a facility like BAJCC a juvenile must be convicted of four misdemeanors or one felony Offenders who have been caught shoplifting twice and trespassing twice could be incarcerated in BAJCC with those convicted of murder “Sometimes people take the opportunity to learn how to be a different kind of criminal when they’re around really serious criminals,” McConnell said “They might become affiliated with a gang for protection.” BAJCC has instituted the G.R.E.A.T program to help end gang violence and combat the existing issues in the facility According to their 2023 transformation plan update curriculum includes developing positive relationships with law enforcement and instilling life skills violence intervention and conflict-resolution techniques decision making and problem solving.”Programs like G.R.E.A.T including the Super Bowl party hosted during the Feb accountability and rehabilitation are blurry at best “I remember one of the judges I was in front of in a case said ‘It’s not supposed to be a country club,’ ” said McConnell whether you think that that actually helps people to become more prosocial when you give them pro-social opportunities right?”According to a poll conducted by GBAO Strategies 85 percent of Virginia residents prefer a youth justice system that focuses on prevention and rehabilitation and the rest favor a system focusing on punishment and incarceration.McConnell reflected this sentiment saying that “These kids are finally getting the therapeutic intervention that they need while incarcerated There are a lot of people that truly believe in the resilience of kids.” She explained that with the constantly changing director of the DJJ staff have difficulty keeping up with the shift in philosophy on punishment versus rehabilitation that occurs every four years.Since the fall of the superpredator myth Virginia’s government tried to refine its rehabilitation by closing all juvenile correctional facilities other than BAJCC.The JLARC’s investigation found that “Stakeholders generally agree that the Bon Air facility is not adequately meeting the needs of committed youth and should be replaced and locations of future secure treatment facilities.”  While the future of the BAJCC remains unclear the overall state of juvenile offenders in Virginia continues to improve The JLARC reported that in the last 10 years the youth in Virginia’s juvenile justice system has dropped by 70 percent — At a Board of Juvenile Justice meeting on Monday the same months-long concerns surrounding the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center seemed to be replayed which houses young people who are convicted of serious crimes “We've got to act to ensure that those young people it's a safe environment," attorney and advocate Valerie Slater “And I don't also need to rehearse for you all the incidents that have made the news as of late and it's unfortunate that I hear even more that is not reported on the news.” who are responsible for setting policies and monitoring the Department of Juvenile Justice's (DJJ) activities with four complaints that she said were submitted by parents of Bon Air residents The identities of the parents were withheld “Please let their voices carry weight with you Let their needs be heard by you," Slater said The complaints alleged that youth were denied access to phones to call home were locked in their cells for up to 24 hours or more at a time and were denied showers during those lockdowns They went on to claim that there's been a reduction in visitation opportunities due to staffing issues and expressed worries that counseling services have not been fulfilled DJJ spokesperson Melodie Martin said the agency is "alarmed by the vague allegations and would like to fully investigate to determine the accuracy." However she said DJJ “cannot do this based on non-specific hearsay Martin said the agency has repeatedly engaged with Slater's organization in the past but that she has “not provided us with sufficient or specific information or contacts that would allow us to investigate and address such allegations properly and fairly.” Slater called on members to exercise their authority including establishing and monitoring policies for DJJ programs and facilities She also called on them to "support an outside investigation in all allegations." “There is power and duties that are promulgated to you the board," Slater said "Please use it so that things can change.” out of the six who were physically present at the meeting responded to Slater's comments — acknowledging the concern and agreeing that the board needs a more comprehensive assessment of the state of Bon Air because we keep getting these concerns," White said but I do absolutely understand their concern and so I would like to know from staff -- we keep getting these things as a board “As a board member and resident of this state I'm also concerned with what is going on in the Bon Air facility," Vilchez said "We have seen improvement from DJJ communicating with us and letting us know what's going on in the facility We have seen significant improvement on that what can we do to prevent this type of behavior that is going on at Bon Air?" Kizner had previously called for an independent investigation to review the allegations coming out of the facility but he feels DJJ has "reservations" to that idea “I remain a little puzzled why we would be hesitant," he said “I very much would like to know that the young people are taken care of that the day is structured in a way that doesn't create boredom because boredom creates mischief," Kizner said "We don't want an incident where we are saying DJJ Director Amy Floriano was not present at Monday's meeting and no one from the agency was available for an interview Martin said the board “has neither made a request nor specified parameters for an “investigation” into Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center.” that report was not discussed among the board This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page — As safety issues at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center have made headlines in recent months one state lawmaker is calling for greater transparency from the state agency that oversees the facility after he claimed the agency is preventing him from disclosing information about the facility As CBS 6 has uncovered, the youth prison has been impacted by critically low staffing, overworked and unsatisfied employees, and conditions of confinement among youth. Staffing shortages have led to resident idleness and security employees who feel unsafe, according to a third-party assessment of the facility that was completed last year Then in early February, 11 male residents attempted a takeover of a housing unit and started a fire Emergency records obtained through a public records request by CBS 6 showed multiple repeated instances over the past year of young residents starting fires in the facility prompting responses from the Chesterfield Fire Department Watch: Records reveal multiple instances of residents reportedly lighting fires at understaffed Bon Air youth prison In response to CBS 6's reporting on these incidents showed up at the facility unannounced on February 11 to take a tour and then the response that I received—distasteful is a kind word," Jones said Jones said he was told he would first need to sign a confidentiality agreement which the Department of Juvenile Justice said is in place to protect the privacy of its residents and to comply with state laws and regulations what he really took issue with was the section of the contract that would prevent him from disclosing "all information presented That meant he wouldn't be able to tell members of the public what he thought about things like programming which he said is critical to advocating for solutions “The reason why I didn't go in and see anything is because if I write legislation and I testify to that legislation I could be in danger of going against that confidentiality agreement," Jones said When asked for a response to Jones' concerns DJJ spokesperson Melodie Martin said the agreement is "standard and has been in place for years with no previous issues." She said Delegate Jones did not bring his questions or concerns directly to DJJ She said there is "no express exemption to statutory confidentiality requirements for members of the state legislature" and that many lawmakers have signed them before Martin added that DJJ Director Amy Floriano invited Jones to tour the facility back in October on two occasions Martin said he brought someone with him who recorded video of an area where youth may be present saying that put residents at risk of being "gawked at or politically weaponized." "DJJ takes seriously the security of the facility and simply cannot allow members of the public into secure areas at the risk of jeopardizing resident and staff safety we also cannot allow individuals who tour the facility to openly recount observations as that may provide information to elements of the public that may pose a threat to the security of the [juvenile correctional center]," Martin said But Jones disagrees and is calling on Governor Youngkin to direct the agency to remove barriers that he believes impact his ability to legislate to get what they need to come up with a solution," Jones said Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInALTON The Metro East bar hosts thousands of 21st birthdays every year and we head there to sit down with co-owners Eddie Scholar and Ross Laux to get the inside story plus how do they manage to serve up the coldest beer in town RICHMOND, Va. — State leaders are responding to CBS 6's reporting on the conditions at Virginia's youth prison Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield County after an independent assessment of the facility highlighted issues with prolonged confinement for residents A culture and safety assessment completed in spring 2024 by criminal justice consultants with The Moss Group identified many operational challenges at Bon Air which is supervised by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) including "an abundant lack of meaningful engagement for the youth and limited to zero time off the unit." The report stated a majority of youth programming was paused or reformatted and residents were “restricted almost entirely to living units and report high levels of idleness and boredom.” WATCH: Director responds to calls for investigation into Bon Air youth correctional center The findings seemed the validate many of the concerns brought forward by advocates, parents of residents, and former Bon Air employees in recent months who have complained about extended periods of lockdowns. One former worker wrote in an employee exit interview that they felt the amount of time the juveniles spent in their rooms was "inhumane." The assessment also stated that the amount of time it took DJJ to admit youth had more than tripled compared to two to three years ago meaning youth "could serve a three to four-month longer sentence through no fault of their own." At the root of most of the issues was "critically low" staffing levels “The concern is we can't rely on the old excuse of hiring 'We don't have bodies.' We have to find a fix to rehabilitate these young folk That's it," said Democratic Delegate Mike Jones While Jones acknowledged the challenges of hiring correctional officers he believes the inability to maintain staff is hampering DJJ's efforts to restore youth “This is really wrecking individuals’ lives They're not giving [youth] an opportunity to get better and to work on themselves," Jones said You can't get it just being out one or two hours a day Jones summarized the report as "heartbreaking" and criticized the governor's administration for not being transparent or forthcoming about the identified problems at Bon Air He suggested that if concerning conditions persist juveniles serving sentences at Bon Air for nonviolent offenses should be released "Every kid that's in there that's nonviolent we need to expedite their releases," Jones said the population at Bon Air consists of "more serious offenders" and DJJ Director Amy Floriano has said in a recent board meeting that most residents there have been convicted of violent offenses on another person Glenn Youngkin expressed confidence in his administration's abilities to improve conditions under the leadership of our Department of Juvenile Justice the vast majority of the things that [the report] addressed we already were starting to work on," Youngkin said The governor said the time period that was under review for the assessment was summer 2023 through February 2024 DJJ said Bon Air was transitioning into new leadership DJJ has previously said the report did not offer new insights and the agency was already aware of the identified problems and working to fix them but I do know that the priority of making sure that we have quality staffing in these facilities has been a priority I know of the team," Youngkin said The staffing shortage has caused current employees to report excessive overtime the inability to effectively perform duties and fewer employees to respond to emergencies The department said it is investigating creative recruitment strategies in an effort to increase staffing numbers State job listings show salaries for juvenile correctional specialists start at about $44,000 Facebook|Instagram|X|Threads|TikTok — An independent review of the operations and culture at Virginia's only youth prison revealed that "significant changes are warranted" to improve conditions of confinement for youth and the work environment for staff Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, managed by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and located in Chesterfield County is where young people convicted of serious crimes across the state are housed for sentencing and rehabilitation But the conditions of the facility have been at the center of growing concern for advocacy groups and parents who say they're worried about safety issues and prolonged periods of confinement for residents One parent of a juvenile who was housed at Bon Air "If there was one major issue that stands out at Bon Air This single issue led indirectly to residents not being allowed out for programs or recreational activities It led to residents being locked in their rooms for extended periods of time as there were not enough staff to allow all youth out on the units at one time," she said Similar sentiments were echoed by advocates who attended a November Board of Juvenile Justice meeting to address DJJ officials and board members calling for further investigation and scrutiny of the conditions at the facility said he took their concerns with urgency and suggested a third-party assessment of Bon Air CBS 6 has now learned there was an independent assessment of Bon Air completed in Spring of 2024 by criminal justice consultants with the Moss Group which we obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request The report painted a troubling picture of the facility's operations with the main culprit being "critically low" staffing levels and violations at Bon Air youth correctional facility While DJJ will not disclose its number of vacancies and that data was redacted from the report the assessment found a shortage of front line security staff caused exhaustion among workers and noncompliance with staffing ratio policies The consultants observed that staff would keep some residents confined to their rooms during programming hours because there were not enough employees to supervise all the youth at the same time Staffing constraints also had a "critical impact" on the employees' sense of security with most staff reporting they did not feel safe at work "With limited to no available back-up or support staff to respond to a critical incident there was also sentiment that staff have had to rely on the youth with direct care staff reporting the youth to be a first line of defense against other residents who may have ill intent This has significant and profound impacts on culture and professional boundaries," the report states Workers expressed frustration that there were no resolutions after being physically assaulted by youth They reported that the residents were often allowed to remain on the unit and assaulted employees "must continue the shift as if nothing has happened or ask to be removed from their post." Staff said they felt "stuck," "taken advantage of," and had a "perceived lack of support by the administration." Further workers reported that they were retaliated against for reporting concerns and "bullied by management." consultants found there was a lack of training and that "Bon Air has experienced no sense of urgency with training and little support in addressing the facility's identified needs." The report summarized the employee experience as "staff overall reported fatigue with the constant state of change and decisions being made that feel in opposition of input which contributes to mistrust and lack of confidence in some leadership." consultants identified "high levels of idleness and boredom" and that youth were "restricted almost entirely to living units." "One of the most significant themes from the onsite visit was the abundant lack of meaningful engagement for the youth and limited to zero time off the unit," the report states The onsite visit took place in January and February of this year The assessment found a majority of programming was paused and forms of entertainment were removed from housing units which consultants said can lead to an uptick in violence "Residents reported that acts of physical violence in the facility may have led to room time and inability to leave the unit they reported that staying in their room or unit has only increased frustrations and led to more violence or fights," the report said the staffing shortage caused the number of days it took DJJ to admit youth to increase from 15-20 days 2-3 years ago to 72 days at the time of the report sentence length determination is part of the admissions process and involves a meeting with several DJJ representatives in different areas of expertise Since the length of the admissions process more than tripled over the years that meant juveniles "could serve a three to four-month longer sentence through no fault of their own," according the assessment DJJ officials initially agreed to an interview with CBS 6 to discuss the report but then cancelled agency spokesperson Melodie Martin said the assessment happened as Bon Air transitioned into new leadership so officials were already aware of the problems and were working to address them "The assessment confirmed our previous knowledge and validated our concerns in several areas The report did not provide additional insights so its completion bolstered our confidence in the new leadership at Bon Air," Martin said DJJ acknowledged that "staffing remains the most obvious and overriding concern" and the shortage "has a direct impact on day to day operations.” "If we had a more robust number of security staff we feel it would remedy many of the concerns identified in the report," Martin said Martin said while the agency is committed to increasing programming Bon Air can only run as many programs as safety and security will allow "Programming can only safely occur when there are sufficient staff to supervise the residents Between the significant recruitment efforts to increase staffing and the collaboration in the facility DJJ will continue to add programming as it becomes possible and available," Martin said Martin said Bon Air resumed in-person school earlier this year as well as monthly incentives for residents who exhibit good behavior she said Bon Air is holding employees accountable and holding weekly meetings to directly hear from staff She said the facility also added a Staff Safety Advocate position in 2023 as an avenue for workers to express concerns and feedback Martin said Bon Air is adding several different security positions and implementing communication plans to keep staff informed and engaged with the facility's goals While the report listed dozens of recommendations for improvements Martin said DJJ is already in the process of implementing most of them CBS 6 reached out to several members of the Board of Juvenile Justice to ask whether they had reviewed the report and if they would share their reaction to it Board members either did not respond or said they could not comment Asked whether the report was shared with board members Martin said it is not the practice of the department to share operational reports with the board since it is a policy board rather than a supervisory board and the infrastructure is "pressed to a breaking point." The report noted that as DJJ struggles to recruit and retain staff "the Commonwealth must acknowledge that physical conditions and the environment definitely influence human behavior and attitudes." You can read the full report here. — A 60-year-old Chesterfield man who worked as a correctional officer was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl held at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center who was responsible for the security and supervision of juveniles was formally charged with three counts of indecent liberties with a child by a custodian and one count of object sexual penetration the state agency that manages the facility said the allegations were reported to them "weeks later," but did not give an exact date Chesterfield Police said DJJ reported the offenses to police on June 28 a Chesterfield County grand jury issued indictments for Thomas Thomas was later arrested and jailed without bond Additional details about the alleged crimes have not yet been released and they were not immediately available in court Court records revealed that Thomas retired from DJJ DJJ said his retirement was approved by the state after he was placed on predisciplinary leave and before the conclusion of DJJ's internal investigation retirement benefits could be revoked if state employees are convicted of felonies related to their employment detectives believe Thomas may have additional victims in the community," police said Anyone with information was to call Chesterfield Police at 804-748-1251 Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center has been a topic of several reports in recent months Watch: Lawmaker says contract would prevent him from sharing what's inside youth prison the youth prison has been impacted by critically low staffing Staffing shortages have led to resident idleness and security employees who feel unsafe, according to a third-party assessment of the facility that was completed last year Valerie Slater said the new developments regarding the alleged sex crimes escalate her concerns about the safety of youth at Bon Air “It's quite clear that things are out of control There's no light way to say it," Slater said and I am hoping that we are no longer just beating this drum into a void This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share. This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy Burrell School District administrators intend to revisit a scheduling plan at Bon Air Elementary as the school prepares to house an additional grade next year The Bon Air Task Force – composed of about 20 staff members and parents charged with reviewing the school’s building plans and schedules prior to it welcoming fourth grade classes in the fall — gave feedback on the proposal during a meeting this week “I felt everyone got to voice their opinions,” said Tracy Petzuk librarian at Bon Air and Stewart Elementary necessitating the reconfiguration of grade levels “We were moving in a more positive direction this meeting we got to take the time and find out the concerns.” Superintendent Shannon Wagner and Bon Air principals Jim Croushore and Amy Lenart presented their proposal to the task force Jan The proposal’s major difference from the current schedule deals with courses deemed “specials,” such as art and music homeroom teachers would spend time co-teaching a specials course with that course’s teacher instead of using the time as a planning period as they do now The proposal had all homeroom teachers’ planning time occurring when students would not be in the building Wagner said her intention was to find a way that courses “would not be taught in silos” and would give students a real-world application to what they are learning in different classes The task force agreed with the idea of collaboration but said the proposal would not be beneficial to teachers and students Some teachers noted they already collaborate co-curricular subject material under the traditional schedule Wagner also said the finalized schedule will make sure teachers’ planning period time is consistent with contractual requirements The task force noted the proposal had overlapping support times for students Members wanted to maintain the integrity of that time to best serve students “To really get to implement it where every grade level has the support it would be difficult with overlapping (support) periods,” Wagner said The task force suggested transition times be included in the schedule The proposal also had unbalanced times for core classes they’ll rearrange the schedule to adjust that “That is something that has to be addressed,” Wagner said Start times for Burrell schools likely will not change next school year The district also is considering “adapted specials” for intensive and autistic support students at Bon Air With fifth grade students going to Huston next year specialist teachers might be able to fit an adapted special in their schedule “This allows us to do specials that are more designed to meet (students’) needs,” she said Wagner said she will spend the upcoming days adjusting the proposal to try to solve the issues raised by task force members we will continue to hear the schedule features that may need to be discussed further and have them consider what is most important,” she said — Inmates at the Bon Air Juvenile Correction Center attempted to take over one unit on Sunday afternoon Officers and firefighters responded to a report of a disturbance inside one of the units that houses 14 to 16 young people Crime Insider sources said that the inmates took control of that unit and started fires Officers were able to secure that unit with 14 inmates and no one was injured during the attempted takeover WATCH: State leaders respond to findings of prolonged confinement lacking supervision at Bon Air youth prison Chesterfield firefighters quickly extinguished the fire "The incident is under investigation by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice and charges are pending," a state police spokesperson said No additional details were available at last check — A police and fire response to the Bon Air youth prison in Chesterfield County Sunday afternoon prompted concern from advocates in the juvenile justice community who have been sounding the alarm on the conditions of the facility concerned for the young people," said Valerie Slater said 11 out of 14 male residents became "unruly and noncompliant" in one of the housing units prompting staff to seek additional help from authorities Virginia State Police said it responded to the facility for a "disturbance" and Chesterfield Police and Chesterfield Fire and EMS also responded to assist the youth attempted to take over the unit and started a fire In a press release DJJ said its staff are trained to use intervention techniques to manage juveniles but are prohibited by regulation from using practices acceptable in adult correctional facilities such as chemical agencies like pepper balls DJJ said other housing units in the facility were not disrupted by the incident and the remaining residents were still able to enjoy a pizza dinner that night it's really difficult to make a fully informed statement but what I will say is this: We have been raising the alarm for the last two years that understaffing at that facility would eventually lead to negative outcomes," Slater said Slater believed the incident raises questions about safety within the facility especially as Bon Air faces a critical staffing shortage As CBS 6 previously reported former employees reported in exit interviews last year that they felt "very vulnerable and unsafe" and "overworked" due to staffing challenges An independent assessment of Bon Air by criminal justice experts found that security vacancies led to conditions of confinement among youth with high levels of idleness and an "abundant lack of meaningful engagement." The report warned "boredom in confinement jeopardizes safety institution-wide-- usually manifesting in an uptick in violence." “Anytime young people are confined for long periods of time That means that they are left to their own thoughts and their own devices They're at a stage when they should be receiving regular input you can't help but know that this could potentially be the outcome," Slater said CBS 6 asked DJJ whether the agency believed staffing shortages were a factor in Sunday's incident but a spokesperson did not directly answer the question Sunday wasn't the first time this type of incident has occurred at the facility The Chesterfield Fire Department said it has responded to nine fires and 11 fire alarm calls over the past year Emergency records obtained by CBS 6 revealed that in October 2024 facility staff reported "an inmate had started a fire in his cell" that could have been ignited with headphones "The employee that discovered the fire reported that she looked in the room and could see the inmate standing in there with the fire behind him He was asking to be let out of the room and the staff member let him out." staff also reported that "a detainee used a battery to light toilet paper on fire in the floor of his cell" and in another instance "an inmate had set fire to a pair of pants and a Styrofoam tray." A DJJ spokesperson did not answer questions about how the agency responded to those incidents until the resources are allocated for the staff to do their jobs effectively they are not going to receive all that they need to be successful," Slater said Last month in an email to staff which was obtained by CBS 6 DJJ Director Amy Floriano acknowledged staffing problems continue to persist at Bon Air despite "countless attempts" to alleviate the strain She announced several initiatives to address the challenges including: Floriano cited "detrimental decisions impacting recruitment that occurred prior to 2022" which was when she was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to lead the department She added that she would "make every effort to repair the damage." Slater said she's asking for a seat at the table to help improve conditions “It's an opportunity for us all to come together and work on this issue and find solutions that are going to help the children that is going to keep staff safe and residents safe," Slater said -- Some advocacy groups are raising concerns over what's happening inside the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center Virginia's only youth prison in Chesterfield County under the purview of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) houses up to 270 people from ages 11-20 who have been convicted of crimes in juvenile court a non-profit organization that supports court-involved and at-risk children said she's worried about the conditions that staff and juveniles are facing “We've got to say that we care about children even the children that have gotten in trouble and that we care about the people who are watching over them," Slater said Slater shared records she obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request with CBS 6 including a January 2024 audit report that found Bon Air in violation of several state regulations a review of the facility's documentation revealed noncompliance with security procedures and the actions taken by staff when residents refuse medication auditors noted that a doctor was not notified as soon as possible of a "medication incident" involving a resident and that the resident did not receive the prescribed medication the audit noted staff did not document how they responded to medication refusals DJJ spokesperson Melodie Martin said issues surrounding medical noncompliance were minor and have since been corrected the audit determined the facility did not document that it properly checked on youth who were locked in their rooms and did not document that it allowed residents in confinement one hour of exercise per day outside of the room Bon Air cited staffing shortages as the underlying reason for these issues and acknowledged they could violate residents' rights and exceed the isolation period Former employees complain of staffing shortages Similar concerns were highlighted in employee exit interviews who separated from DJJ in February and March of this year are constantly locked down due to the staff shortage which is completely inhumane." Employees also reported being "overworked" and "constantly short-staffed." One worker stated the turnover rate was "out of the roof," and multiple employees reported having to work extra hours that they didn't agree to when they took the position "I felt very vulnerable and unsafe working in these conditions," one employee said “The very safety of young people is also concerning when they have what's called single coverage meaning there's only one person watching an entire unit," Slater said Martin said the staffing challenges at Bon Air are reflective of national trends She would not share the facility's current employee vacancy rate but said it has decreased by 39% since December 2023 Three out of six residents interviewed for the audit reported being denied basic necessities One resident reported being denied toilet paper due to behavior Two other residents reported being denied showers for three to four days due to lockdowns “We cannot allow for the state of affairs at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center currently to continue," Slater said CBS 6 reached out to DJJ for a response to Slater's concerns and Martin shared a letter from the Attorney General's office which addressed allegations that it called unfounded Senior Assistant Attorney General Margaret O'Shea penned the letter in July 2024 in response to a court filing submitted by RISE for Youth and the Legal Aid Justice Center on behalf of a defendant convicted of voluntary manslaughter whom the court was considering transferring to Bon Air The advocacy groups claimed juveniles at the facility were subjected to extended lockdowns O'Shea said there had only been three facility-wide lockdowns over the past year One of the lockdowns was in response to assaults on staff and the others were due to an uptick in contraband being found O'Shea commended the facility for offering a multitude of educational and behavioral programming that allow students to be out of their rooms "much of the day." She added that residents have achieved high school diplomas and received workforce training through the facility's programming Martin said DJJ investigates all concerns brought forward by advocacy groups but added their allegations lack specific details "We are fortunate to have a team of dedicated employees who genuinely care for and work hard every day to provide treatment and rehabilitation for all youth in a safe and nurturing environment As staffing improves and these measures continue to evolve BAJCC will continue to add opportunities for the residents’ growth and success," Martin said Slater pushed back on the notion that their concerns are unfounded or unspecific pointing to the findings of the audit and documented interviews with former Bon Air employees and current residents Your own exit interviews give you specifics At what point are you going to stop looking for someone to pin something on and start doing something about these issues?" Slater said “You can't fix what you won't admit is broken," she added Slater said she plans to bring her concerns to the next DJJ board meeting happening on November 1 at Bon Air Please be prepared to speak up for the children whose voices currently are not being heard," she said This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have information to share. 25 - Bon Air task force finalizes schedule March 11 - Task forces to present information to the school board Three months of planning and reviews of reconfigured buildings at Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary and Huston Middle schools for next school year has come to a close Superintendent Shannon Wagner said schedules at Bon Air Elementary School were approved by the task force “by a majority vote.” Since the school board voted to close Stewart Elementary in October two task forces of about 20 staff and parents were charged with recommending and reviewing building plans and layouts at the schools fourth grade will attend Bon Air and fifth grade will go to Huston The schedule accounts for appropriate instructional minutes for each grade adds in transition times for students from class to class and a 50-minute planning time for teachers before students enter the building for the day Homeroom teachers also have a 50-minute planning time when their students are at specials Wagner said there are two caveats to the approved Bon Air schedule that building administration will review between now and the summer They may flip lunch times for kindergarten and first grade students and review the amount of time allotted for dismissal “It’s simply a tweak of the teacher’s schedule not the student schedule,” Wagner said “We’ll have a pretty good idea so everything can be set before summer.” The school board does not need to approve the schedules and building layouts approved by the task forces but task force members and Wagner will present their findings to the board at a meeting March 11 the board will contend with decisions and building projects at Bon Air air conditioning and boiler repair at Bon Air are estimated to total $10 million District officials say the cafeteria addition is necessary to accommodate fourth grade students If Burrell wanted to move fifth graders to Bon Air for the 2026-27 school year and make the school a K-5 building an additional classroom wing would be needed That would increase the cost of Bon Air projects to an estimated $14 million The board would request bids for both Bon Air projects Proposals require review and approval from Lower Burrell city planners It’s anticipated the district’s architect city council will review it in May and the school board will consider awarding contracts in June That’s all while the board also toys with an estimated $10 million heating and cooling project at the high school The high school also does not have air conditioning District officials say that if they had kept Stewart School open it would have required $17 million in upgrades in addition to the projects now being considered what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas That’s the case with the adventure of “John Bon Forsi,” now known by Kraken fans as the human mash-up of the legendary rocker Jon Bon Jovi and Kraken Hockey Network play-by-play man and future Hall of Famer John Forslund Bon Jovi was announced to the crowd with huge cheers and the arena got even louder when the celeb held up a Knights jersey Take a look back at some of the hilarious moments brought to you by the broadcast team on KHN during the 2024-25 season Forslund mentioned the singer’s attendance at the game Giggling and trying to hold back a bigger guffaw OIczyk continued: “I just thought about [he is now making that laugh-cry sound we all make at times of humor] whether you might come back next year and have changed your name Kraken senior vice president of fan experience and innovation had another of his many great ideas: He called a retail supplier in California last Friday to order two T-shirts with Forslund’s handsome headshot next to Bon Jovi with “John Bon Forsi” blazing underneath just the two shirts overnighted so Humphrey could present them during the second intermission to Forslund and Olczyk who were doing their last KHN game since Wednesday’s season finale will be televised by ESPN (but don’t forget Everett Fitzhugh and Al Kinisky on KJR 93.3 radio call) Forslund accepted the shirt with great joy he took great delight in a fan who showed up at Saturday’s game in an all-blue costume with “John Bon Forsi” across his chest (totally independent of the pair of T-shirts delivered upstairs KHN fans were treated to the fan’s outfit several times during the telecast A Kraken fan dons a Jon Bon Forsi t-shirt at the arena There is no word as yet on any name change for the popular announcer you might say that notion is “Livin’ on a Prayer.” But in any case and in honor of Tuesday’s Fan Appreciation Night we gift you in this story with a photo of the Forslund-Olczyk comedy duo with the T-shirt and a KHN bloopers video with the “John Bon Forsi” on-air discussion and other fun memorable moments including many with JT Brown This website is unavailable in your location It appears you are attempting to access this website from a country outside of the United States therefore access cannot be granted at this time — Several advocates stood before the Board of Juvenile Justice on Friday to voice concerns over the operations of Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center it's Virginia's only youth prison which houses up to 270 residents ages 11-20 most of whom have been convicted of high-level offenses The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is the state agency that runs the facility and its activities The Board of Juvenile Justice made up of 9 members appointed by governors regulates While community advocates called on the board to investigate what they called unsafe and demoralizing conditions at Bon Air DJJ's top leader expressed frustration over the allegations which she suggested may not meet her standards of credibility including RISE for Youth and the Legal Aid Justice Center and the parent of a Bon Air resident addressed the board Friday during a public comment period Activists directed the board's attention to employee exit interviews from earlier in the year which showed complaints from former workers about staffing shortages and working long hours they didn't agree to One employee reported that staffing issues led to "inhumane" lockdowns and "high-security risks" while another employee reported feeling unsafe “It’s time to embrace truth and transparency for the sake of our committed youth and staff," said Valerie Slater of RISE for Youth an organization that supports court-involved children and advocates against youth incarceration DJJ officials have said a full lockdown hasn't occurred at Bon Air in over a year residents are temporarily required to stay in their rooms during searches and staffing constraints DJJ would not share the current employee vacancy rate but said staffing issues are reflective of national trends Department spokesperson Melodie Martin previously told CBS 6 that Bon Air's vacancy rate of juvenile correctional specialists improved by 39% between December 2023 and June 2024 we caution the board to critically examine the workforce challenges," said law student Delaney Toomer who works with Legal Aid Justice Center "We recognize that staff vacancies align with national trends in both juvenile and adult corrections but it has disastrous effects on conditions Advocates also pointed to the findings of a January 2024 internal audit which found six violations of state regulations including deficiencies related to the documentation of security procedures Bon Air cited staffing shortages as one of the underlying issues of noncompliance and presented a corrective action plan Two violations pertained to the failure to document that staff checked on residents locked in confinement at least every 30 minutes and afforded them at least one hour of exercise outside of their rooms per day DJJ Certification Manager Ken Bailey told the board he completed a follow-up audit in August to ensure the corrective actions were implemented and he cleared the facility of five of the six initial deficiencies Bailey said the facility continued to be noncompliant with a medication regulation for failing to document actions taken by staff when a resident refuses medication the director extended certification through April 2025 and directed the DJJ medical compliance administrator to monitor the area of noncompliance DJJ Director Amy Floriano reminded board members that there's a difference between a lack of documentation of required procedures and whether required procedures did or did not take place I do want to note this is a documentation issue it's that they weren't documented properly," Floriano said Though it was not cited in Bailey's final audit report two out of six residents interviewed for the audit reported being denied showers due to lockdowns Martin said based on the information provided there is no evidence to substantiate that claim a law student who works with the Legal Aid Justice Center called on the board to look into conflicting information "As the board of the Department of Juvenile Justice it is your responsibility to investigate these discrepancies and ensure the safety and well-being of children at Bon Air who have no one else to protect them," Samuelson said Quinton Harrell told the board he has a son who's been at Bon Air for over two years and has "thrived" during his time there due to taking advantage of the available learning and enrichment opportunities Harrell said he supported the comments from RISE for Youth and Legal Aid Justice Center and talked about how he's noticed negative impacts on his son that he believes stemmed from lockdowns "What we have experienced in our family therapy that we do with him every other month is that he experienced some depression during the times of the lockdowns," Harrell said Harrell added that his son has participated in almost all the educational opportunities offered at Bon Air and asked how he could get enrolled in new classes Floriano personally met with Harrell following his remarks to address his questions and explore other class options for the resident We're going to fix it," Floriano told the board Addressing the at-large concerns about Bon Air that were brought to the board meeting Floriano said she has to consider the credibility and motives of groups who present allegations “Why is this person coming forward with this or is it something where they're self-promoting their organization and they're working towards legislation?” Floriano said She added that some claims the department receives lack specific details about the incidents in question limiting the department's ability to investigate she said the facility has cameras everywhere which are regularly reviewed I get somewhat frustrated because my staff that works in that facility they're working there for a very low salary in a very difficult job," Floriano said "My staff that is in there is a very dedicated group of individuals and sometimes they work harder with these kids than the families do at that point And I think that that is sometimes forgotten in the rapport." such as an increase in completion rates of rehabilitation programs prior to a resident's release Floriano said she believes DJJ is on the right track said he took the advocates' comments with urgency and suggested the idea of an external investigation into the allegations having a different set of eyes might provide some information to help inform decisions that you would have to make," Kizner told Floriano not taking what we heard today and what we've heard before with some level of seriousness." Floriano responded that DJJ has requested independent investigations before including a security review following the 2020 escape of a resident and an analysis of psychiatric services which is still ongoing Advertiser DisclosureAdvertiser Disclosure 61 Published Articles 3583 Edited Articles Opinions and recommendations are ours alone American Tourister has earned a reputation over the past 90 years for producing fashionable functional luggage that doesn’t break the bank The brand was acquired by Samsonite in 1993 further expanding its global reach in the midrange luggage market American Tourister luggage is sold in over 90 countries and remains a popular choice among travelers of all kinds American Tourister is renowned for its bold eye-catching designs and iconic collaborations including its popular partnership with Disney the brand also offers more subtle and classic options such as the Bon Air collection featured in this review American Tourister’s Bon Air collection consists of reliable practical luggage pieces that are versatile for most travelers Whether you’re looking for a suitcase to bring on your next business trip or the perfect bag to take on a family vacation which is the perfect middle-ground suitcase for travelers While it’s too big to be accepted in the cabin it does provide extra space for a week or more’s worth of clothing It’s also lighter and easier to transport than a large checked case timeless case is guaranteed to be just as useful in a few years as it is today The American Tourister Bon Air won’t win any design contests Its understated appearance allows it to fly under the style radar but we think that actually works in its favor It has a very classic luggage look that won’t look out of place in any setting so you can use the same case for business and leisure trips The Bon Air isn’t entirely without style in mind The line comes in a surprisingly wide array of colors ranging from classic options like black and navy blue to brighter hues like pink and yellow You won’t miss these vibrant shades on the luggage carousel while the muted options may easily blend in with every other suitcase the medium case is within the size limits of virtually every airline and mode of transportation It’s also incredibly lightweight for a medium suitcase We’ve reviewed carry-ons around the same weight Not sure if your bag meets your airline’s carry-on requirements? Check out our comprehensive carry-on guide and guide to checked luggage restrictions We were a little surprised the bag doesn’t have an expansion zipper that can grant a little extra space if needed. If the expanding feature is important, you may want to consider the medium American Tourister Soundbox as an alternative Typical of a hard-sided suitcase, the American Tourister Bon Air has no pockets on the exterior of the case. You need to carry your quick-access items or travel documents on your person or in a carry-on The case opens like a clamshell with 2 same-sized packing compartments This design makes organizing and accessing items easier especially if you like to separate your belongings (e.g. it requires more space to open fully compared to a traditional top-lid suitcase With an X-shaped compression strap on 1 side, this area can be used to strap down your clothes and prevent wrinkles through movement. If perfectly pressed clothes are a must, we’d recommend using a garment bag or packing a travel steamer The other area can be fully closed via a zippered divider This zippered panel has 2 mesh pockets for small items and there’s an accessories pocket along the spine of the case The back of the case has an integrated luggage ID card so you don’t have to mess around with separate tags that could rip or break during a flight American Tourister created this collection using polypropylene a material known for its lightweight properties and resistance to cracking and denting we could see that the exterior flexed under pressure the bag features large ridges and a textured shell designed to minimize damage from everyday wear Even if the suitcase slides or skids on its side it’s unlikely to leave noticeable marks on the case Considering how lightweight the Bon Air is it’s not surprising that the case has single-spinner wheels We were pleased to see that the wheel attachments were slightly recessed in the frame for protection; however the wheels felt loose and rattled around quite a bit the wheels rolled smoothly and quietly on a variety of surfaces As the single wheels are quite small for a medium case they did struggle a bit when maneuvering around tight corners The telescopic handle was sturdy and pretty well-made which we were able to adjust smoothly with the push of a button There’s nothing worse than the telescopic handle getting stuck when you come to check your bag at the counter Two height settings are pretty standard for American Tourister checked cases but we would have liked another 1 or 2 positions to find the perfect setting for your height they retract back into place when not being used The handles are so tightly attached to the case that there is limited space for larger hands to grip them comfortably quickly grabbing your suitcase off the luggage carousel might be a bit challenging we were happy to see that there’s an integrated lock on the Bon Air collection so it should be suitable for most security checkpoints worldwide and the zipper pulls slot neatly into the luggage lock We have no concerns with the zippers on this case They feel pretty sturdy without being stiff The pulls were large enough to grab and pull comfortably and since they’re part of the lock mechanism American Tourister offers a pretty standard limited global warranty on all its bags the brand will cover the costs of repairing any damage caused by manufacturing defects Unless your luggage arrives damaged, proving later that it was due to a manufacturing defect rather than mishandling can be challenging. Some companies, such as Travelpro and Briggs & Riley offer no-questions-asked warranties for repairs the Bon Air collection consists of 3 main pieces there’s also a carry-on and a large checked option A set this small covers all the bases as far as travel is concerned we’d love to see the addition of a travel tote or underseat bag Carry-on Medium checked Large checked The Bon Air line of bags by American Tourister is a great example of the brand’s ability to balance functionality and affordability While we were a little disappointed in some design features like its lack of size expansion and limited maneuverability the case more than made up for it with its organizational capabilities The Bon Air line of luggage is a good example of why American Tourister has a reputation for creating affordable and reliable luggage Though the cases in this collection aren’t perfect making them popular with a wide variety of different travelers The collection also features a carry-on and large checked suitcase The Bon Air collection of bags by American Tourister is strong enough to withstand the general wear and tear that comes along with travel but they will eventually crack or dent if they’re mishandled on a regular basis Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them He has contributed to publications including Forbes Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter We respect your privacy. 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Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply OFFER ENDING SOONChase Sapphire Preferred® Card LIMITED TIME TRAVEL OFFERThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express BEST LOUNGE ACCESSThe Platinum Card® from American Express Privacy Policy | All Guides | Terms & Conditions | Web Accessibility Policy | Cookie Policy travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases Editorial Disclosure: The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer AFTER spending over three years in prison awaiting trial for a crime he always maintained he did not commit Marvin Williams walked free on May 1 after the State formally discontinued a murder case against him at the start of his trial in the High Court in Port of Spain Williams was charged in April 2022 for the murder of Secion Malchan who was shot and killed in Bon Air on August 31 He also faced charges of shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearms initially brought before the Arima Magistrates’ Court was transferred to the High Court under the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act (AJIPA) which is designed to fast-track serious criminal matters public defender Adaphia Trancoso-Ribeiro made a no-case submission and the limitations in the State’s circumstantial case the Master ruled that Williams should stand trial one of five High Court judges assigned to AJIPA cases who was 16 at the time of Malchan’s murder admitting that he had falsely identified Williams as one of the masked shooters prosecutors Norma Peters and Shanelle Kissoon announced they would discontinue the case Justice Singh praised the State’s decision noting the prosecution had acted responsibly given the weakened evidence Williams’s attorneys noted that he spent over three years waiting for justice he lost his job and did not have contact with his children They also pointed out that had it not been for the expedited timelines under AJIPA Williams could have languished in custody for much longer His legal team also included public defender Laurina Ramkaran with his father and the hope of picking up the pieces of his life Burrell School District has a plan to accommodate fourth graders at Bon Air Elementary School next school year A task force of about 20 staff members and parents reviewed Superintendent Shannon Wagner’s proposed building layout to have the elementary school on Leechburg Road house kindergarten through fourth grades next school year and approved it with only minor changes Fourth grade is being sent to Bon Air next school year because of Stewart Elementary School closing Other than shifting a few classrooms on the second floor of Bon Air not much changed between Wagner’s proposal from last week and what the task force finalized “I don’t know that it’s anything earth-shattering,” Wagner said We’re going with what they feel is best.” The second floor will have six classrooms each of third and fourth grades Some of the classrooms on the second floor were rearranged to better accommodate the instructional programs in fourth grade “Everything is still on the second floor but just shifted around a little bit,” Wagner said Bon Air’s first floor would have six classrooms each for first and second grades Wagner said the district will move forward with the task force’s recommendations for Bon Air’s reconfiguration the district would only need to add extra cafeteria and kitchen space to the building No additions need to be made at Huston to accommodate fifth graders If the school board decides to move fifth grade to Bon Air the following school year six additional classrooms would need to be built An architect will update the school board on specifications for projects at a February board meeting The task force will present its findings to the school board in March Huston’s task force got a look at Wagner’s proposed building layout this week and is slated to offer its recommendations in January Both schools’ task forces will look at proposed scheduling at their buildings at future meetings Wagner said the task force meetings have been smooth “The task forces consist of employees and we’re purposely working through this and making decisions together,” Wagner said “I think (the meetings) have gone well We’ve tried to use human-centered strategies to allow everyone to have a voice.” artist and past president of the Bon Air Artists Association joined us along with Kerry Grey Director of Philanthropy at World Pediatrics to share more about the 2025 Bon Air Artists Association Art Show starting with the reception on March 22nd from 5-9 PM and the free show on March 23rd from 12-5 PM For more information, visit the Bon Air Artist Association website Bon Air Elementary School can accommodate Burrell School District’s fourth grade students without any additional classrooms when Stewart Elementary closes next year according to Superintendent Shannon Wagner’s proposal all six kindergarten classes could be located on the basement floor of Bon Air The first floor would have six classrooms each for first and second grades The second floor would have six classrooms each for third and fourth grades learning support and sensory classrooms and an autistic support room “It’s using the building space better,” Wagner said The proposal was unveiled to the Bon Air task force — comprising about 20 parents and teachers — during a meeting Tuesday for their review along with the Huston Middle School task force will present their recommendations on the reconfigurations during a March school board meeting The Burrell school directors in October closed Stewart effective next school year because of declining enrollment building infrastructure and to focus resources They also decided to send fourth grade to Bon Air and fifth grade to Charles A the district would only need to add additional cafeteria and kitchen space to the building No additions would need to be made at Huston to accommodate fifth graders If the board chose to move fifth grade at Bon Air the following school year the district would need to add six additional classrooms to that building three kindergarten classes are in the basement The first floor has the three other kindergarten classrooms Bon Air’s second floor has six second- and third-grade classrooms personalized learning coaches and two empty rooms Fourth graders attending Bon Air brings six additional classrooms for those students It also moves six “specialists” — such as physical education and music teachers — to Bon Air “Our goal is for those six specialists to no longer have to travel and be dedicated to this building only,” Wagner said reading specialist and special education teacher With a guidance counselor retiring at Stewart at the end of the year district administrators are pondering what that position will look like at Bon Air there would be six classrooms for fifth grade Its task force will look at Wagner’s proposed building layout at Huston during a meeting Monday Burrell’s architect will present drafts of projects including heating and ventilation at Burrell High School and Bon Air and additional kitchen space and six more classrooms at Bon Air both Huston and Bon Air task forces will present their recommendations on the reconfiguration to the school board the board will consider advertising for construction bids “Then the board will make the big decision about “But the common denominator for me is: I want heating and ventilation I want this place to stand for 30 years.”