Virginia law § 18.2-473 and § 18.2-473.1 criminalize aiding the escape of prisoners or children from detention facilities and prohibit unauthorized communication with incarcerated individuals. Those who assist escapes face imprisonment, while unauthorized communication can lead to penalties. The laws aim to maintain security and order within correctional and juvenile detention centers.
Aiding includes conveying items to facilitate escape, helping someone escape, or forcibly taking a prisoner or child from detention facilities.
If the escape is successful and the person was detained on a felony charge, the penalty is 1 to 5 years in a state correctional facility. If not, it's a Class 1 misdemeanor.
No, it is unlawful to communicate without authority with the intent to interfere with or influence inmates or detained persons, outside of authorized staff.
Only jailers or custodial officers in charge of the facilities are authorized to communicate with inmates or detained children.