Your Seven Day Forecast

2023-12-19

State extends contract to keep Lawrenceville prison under private management

By Sam Brown, Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia extended its contract to keep Lawrenceville Correctional Center under private management until July 2024, despite efforts by lawmakers and protests by advocacy groups.

Lawrenceville is the state's only privately operated prison. The medium-security facility opened in 1998 and was billed as a way for the state to save money.

The GEO Group, based in Florida, has managed the prison since 2003. Its 15-year contract was set to end in 2018, but it has been extended twice.

Construction and operation costs would be lower than public prisons, said the former state corrections director in 1997, according to archived Richmond-Times Dispatch reports. The director thought the private prison would introduce "an exchange of ideas and friendly competition" to improve public and private facilities.

But in recent years the facility has been criticized for the reported understaffing, building maintenance, drug overdoses, safety issues and violent activity.

Lawrenceville is tied with Nottoway Correctional Center for the second-highest prison population in the state. The prison has 1,536 beds and houses approximately 1,260 people, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections October population report.

"The reason why it has survived so long in this particular form is probably because it allows the state to operate a facility more cheaply than many other facilities," said Chuck Meire, deputy policy director of nonprofit civil and human rights firm JULIAN.

Privately operated prisons are "100%" less ethical and humane than state-run prisons, Meire said.

"You should never have a corporation, whose primary motive is profit, taking over the responsibility of the government to incarcerate people," Meire said.

Democratic politicians and advocacy groups, such as the state American Civil Liberties Union and Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, agree and have introduced legislation and called for change.

Legislators in 2020 proposed folding management of the facility under the state.

VADOC looked at five comparable prisons as part of a requested study in 2020 and found the average cost of incarceration per inmate per day was $76.48. The per day cost was $51.55 at Lawrenceville.

VADOC estimated state operation would push costs up to $67.99 per day per inmate. It would cost the state $38.46 million annually to manage Lawrenceville.

That was $9.3 million more than current management under the GEO Group.

Most of the cost increase was attributed to the need for "adequate relief staffing and to address operational security needs" at Lawrenceville. The VADOC staffing plan would increase the number of correctional officers by nearly 100. Staff would also be paid more at a state rate.

The annual budget for VADOC is currently $1.5 billion.

Staffing issues

There were 300 staff employed at Lawrenceville in 1998. The prison was promoted as a way to supply local jobs, according to archived reports.

VADOC deducted $4.3 million in contract breaches due to understaffing since 2018, according to memos obtained by Virginia Mercury. Over $600,000 of those violations were from a lack of medical staff.

VADOC would not say what it considers an adequate staffing ratio when contacted, and said to contact the GEO Group. The GEO Group did not respond to an email or phone call request by time of publication.

However, VADOC noted Lawrenceville had a 40% higher staff-to-inmate ratio than other similarly sized facilities, in its 2020 report. Lack of relief staffing was noted as a significant factor.

Low compensation levels were cited as an obstacle to recruit and retain staff.

"The company has basically demonstrated an incapacity to fully staff their facility," Meire said.

The incarcerated population is impacted by a lack of staffing, according to Shawn Weneta, policy strategist for ACLU Virginia. Weneta was incarcerated for 16 years, with seven spent in Lawrenceville.

"What that also means is the facility can't provide recreation like they're supposed to, they can't provide classes like they're supposed to, they can't provide programs like they're supposed to," Weneta said. "They can't even let people out of their cells because they don't have the staff to supervise people."

Drug Overdoses

The prison had the highest number of suspected and confirmed overdoses in the state prison system in 2022, accounting for 28%, according to a records request filed by CBS 6 WTVR-TV.

Twelve inmates died in fiscal year 2022, according to the news report. Drugs are smuggled in through various methods and people, including visitors and staff, according to the GEO Group senior vice-president James Black. People have been arrested attempting to smuggle in drugs and phones by drone.

"The Virginia Department of Corrections is laser-focused on preventing drugs and contraband from entering all of its facilities and will punish those caught smuggling into facilities to the fullest extent of the law," stated Kyle Gibson, VADOC director of communications, in an email statement.

Staff could be tempted to smuggle in drugs or look the other way through bribery, the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy stated in its report last year on conditions at the prison.

People die in prison while serving their sentence, but they weren't sentenced to die, Weneta said.

"Staff is bringing in lethal drugs that are killing dozens of people in our prisons," Weneta said. "It's tragic and the public should care about it and we should be paying more attention to it and we should be doing things to address it."

Violence and deferred maintenance

There is a history of violence and injuries to the people incarcerated in the facility, though these issues persist at state-run facilities as well. There have been at least three incidents requiring hospitalization since August, including one where a prisoner was stabbed.

The GEO Group has revealed few details of the incidents to the media, and told ABC 8 WRIC-TV they take the incidents "with the utmost seriousness" and would continue to work diligently with VADOC.

VADOC also reported if the state assumed management, it would need to address the issue of at least $10 million in estimated deferred maintenance and capital repairs. Security electronics, communication, and camera systems also need "significant attention."

The facility replaced the wooden doors this year because it found that they did not properly contain the population, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The facility is "falling apart," Weneta said, with sewage coming up through the floor and issues with air conditioning.

Failed attempts

The General Assembly has knocked down attempts to de-privatize the management of Lawrenceville.

Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, introduced measures in 2020 and 2021 to prevent the state from using a private contract.

The bills failed to advance out of Democratic-led Senate committees. Of the 14 senators on the committee, all 11 who voted against the 2021 bill received campaign donations from the GEO Group between 2020-22.

The managing group donated $139,250, mostly split between parties, in the past three years that conversation ramped up around private management of the facility, according to campaign donations on the Virginia Public Access Project.

Sen. Barbara Favola D-Arlington, who voted in support of Ebbin's bill, would either like to see heavy regulations on Lawrenceville or have the facility completely taken back by the state.

"If we're going to do it, I would like to have a fair amount of regulations to sort of ensure quality, but I am in the corner of having the state operate the [prisons] rather than trying to improve a private sector model," Favola said.

Ebbin is still sorting out which bills he will file in the upcoming session, he said.

Lawmakers passed a budget in September that will fund $250,000 for a VADOC ombudsman. The person in this role will provide information to incarcerated people, family members and VADOC employees. They will also monitor conditions and make facility recommendations, among other responsibilities.

The budget also created a Corrections Oversight Committee with 13 members, that will include legislators and governor appointees. Two formerly incarcerated people will be appointed, along with a representative from a nonprofit group that advocates for prisoners.

National Trends

A lack of funds and overcrowding led to the start of prison privatization in the 1980s, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Privatization took off fairly quickly after that. The number of people incarcerated in private prisons worldwide in 1987 was 3,100. Eleven years later, the number had risen to 132,000.

The GEO Group is one of the largest private prison management companies in the nation. It also manages facilities in South Africa and Australia.

The number of privately operated prisons has increased in the U.S. but not at the previous pace. The private prison population across the country increased overall by 10% from 2000-21, according to the Sentencing Project.

Twenty-seven U.S. states use private prisons.

Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, North Dakota and Florida are the top five states where the private prison population increased in two decades. Arizona's increased by 415%, according to data from the Sentencing Project.

The use of private prisons is inconsistent from state to state. Montana holds nearly half of their incarcerated people in private prisons.

Virginia's private prison population size is just over 5% of overall incarcerated people in the state.

Tags:

VCU Capital News Service

Sam Brown

December 2023

2023-12-19

Read more about State extends contract to keep Lawrenceville prison under private management

2023 Brunswick Academy Letters to Santa

Mrs. Rebecca Councill’s Kindergarten Grade Class

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Willie and I am 5 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Blue Jeans

#2. Farm toys

#3. A surprise you can build forts with

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Willie Smith

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Rhett and I am 5 years old. I live in Jarratt, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Black Hoverboard

#2. Real Pocket knife

#3. Basketball Goal

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Rhett Holloway

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Addie Kate and I am 5 ears old. I live in Boydton, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Magic wand that does whatever I say

#2. Elsa Car

#3. Crybaby

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Addie Kate Moseley

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Phiona and I am 6 years old. I live in Jarratt, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Rainbow magic wand that makes stuff appear

#2. Elsa Castle

#3. Rainbow Arts & Crafts Ribbon

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Phiona Morrison

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Owen and I am 5 years old. I live in Dolphin, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. 20-gauge Shotgun

#2. Pocket Knife

#3. Camo Hoverboard

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Owen Blackwell

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Bobby and I am 5 years old. I live in La Crosse, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Black, red & white skateboard

#2. Tall bird decoy for hunting

#3. Marble Run game

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Bobby Ford

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Bentley and I am 5 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Hunting gun for bears

#2. New Pencils

#3. A picture I can paint

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Bentley Smith

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Bryar and I am 5 years old. I live in Jarratt, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Rainbow car I can drive

#2. A magic wand that works

#3. Rock Set I can paint

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Bryar Rowland

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Everett and I am 5 years old. I live in Brodnax, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Gel Ball Blaster

#2. Soldier Legos

#3. Blue RC Car

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Everett Washburn

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Ashton and I am 5 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Red Skateboard

#2. Remote Control Monster Truck

#3. Red car I can drive with a real steering wheel

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Ashton Powell

Mrs. Brandi Washburn’s Kindergarten Grade Class

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Reed and I am 5 years old. I live in Lawrenceville, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Remote crocodile head that goes in water

#2. A Cave Batman

#3. A Frog

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Reed Arrington

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Hudson and I am 6 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Nintendo Switch

#2. A Stuffed animal Sloth

#3. A Frog Robot

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Hudson Slate

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Drake and I am 6 years old. I live in Valentines, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Frog robot

#2. A Polar Express Loader

#3. A Soccer Course

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Drake Myers

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Ella and I am 5 years old. I live in Bracey, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Tonies Toniebox

#2. A Pink Barbie remote control box

#3. A Daisy & Minnie Camper Set

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Ella Wright

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Robert Reid and I am 5 years old. I live in Macon, North Carolina. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Hoverboard

#2. Rip Stick

#3. New iPad

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Robert Reid Ross

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Holden and I am 6 years old. I live in McKenney Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Phone

#2. Hot wheel track with a dragon on it.

#3. Jellyfish aquarium & Ryan’s World Mystery Wheel

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Holden Clay

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Taylor and I am 5 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Basketball, football, soccer & baseball cards

#2. Hoverboard

#3. A Boomerang

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Taylor Gee

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Carlie and I am 5 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Nintendo Switch

#2. A Makeup Set (real life makeup)

#3. Elmer’s scented glue sticks

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Carlie Doyle

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Abby and I am 5 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Princess Castle

#2. Princess Suitcase (the one I saw in the newspaper)

#3. Princess Horse

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Abby Lynch

Ms. Hilda Caldwell’s 1^st Grade Class

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Ginger and I am 6 years old. I live in Ebony, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. An Elf Pet

#2. Slime

#3. A doll

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Ginger King

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Grace and I am 6 years old. I live in Gasburg, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. An elf Pet

#2. Slime

#3. A doll

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Grace Lucy

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Ava and I am 7 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Dirt Bike

#2. Bunk Bed

#3. Surprises

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Ava Slagle

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Gunner and I am 7 years old. I live in Kenbridge, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. World Globe

#2. Telescope

#3. Microscope

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Gunner Wells

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Owen and I am 7 years old. I live in Bracey, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Nintendo Switch

#2. Video Games

#3. Hot Wheels Set

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Owen Wright

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Adaline and I am 6 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Robot Puppy

#2. Make-up

#3. Christmas Joy

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Adaline Marrs

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Beck and I am 6 years old. I live in Lawrenceville, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Dirt Bike

#2. Monopoly

#3. Mega Mutant Toy

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Beck Daniel

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Forrest and I am 6 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Hot Wheels Monster Jam Truck

#2. Grave Digger ride on truck

#3. Lumberjack Monster Jam Truck

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Forrest Daniels

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is River and I am 6 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Make-up Set

#2. LOL House

#3. Squishmallow

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

River Rawls

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Cole and I am 7 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Art Stuff

#2. Playdoh

#3. Legos

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Cole Wright

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Lily and I am 6 years old. I live in Henrico, North Carolina. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. LOL Dolls

#2. Crystal Skull

#3. Kaleidoscope

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Lily Hawley

Mrs. Lyndsey Buchanan’s 1st Grade Class

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Madison and I am 6 years old. I live in Dinwiddie, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Skin Care

#2. Clothes

#3. A skateboard

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Madison Abernathy

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Emerson and I am 6 years old. I live in Alberta, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. An American Girl Ice Cream Truck

#2. Candy

#3. Earrings

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Emerson Britt

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Brinley and I am 6 years old. I live in Dinwiddie, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Vanity

#2. An American Girl Doll

#3. A dress

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Brinley Bunch

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Cullen and I am 6 years old. I live in Lawrenceville, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Hatchimal

#2. A Mini 4-Wheeler

#3. A Gas-powered dirt bike

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Cullen Clary

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Kaci and I am 6 years old. I live in Valentines, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Baby elephant

#2. Barbie dream House

#3. Tiny Squishmallow

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Kaci Clary

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Bristol Daniel and I am 6 years old. I live in Danieltown, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Squishy

#2. A plushy

#3. Some bumble bee decorations & Christmas decorations

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Bristol Daniel

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Rylee and I am 6 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Barbie Dream House

#2. Barbie Jeep

#3. A writing book

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Rylee Featherstun

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Wyatt and I am 6 years old. I live in Freeman, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Tools

#2. Nails

#3. Legos

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Wyatt Holloway

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Oaklen and I am 6 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Tractor

#2. Playhouse

#3. Toy drivable camper

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Oaklen Lynch

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Sanvi and I am 6 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Barbie House

#2. Barbies

#3. A tent

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Sanvi Patel

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Maddie and I am 6 years old. I live in Dolphin, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Twister Air

#2. Nintendo Switch

#3. Rainbow Counting Cubes

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Maddie Poe

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Landen and I am 7 years old. I live in Brodnax, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Shotgun

#2. A New Scope

#3. Some fishing bait

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Landen Rethman

Mrs. Sharon O’Berry’s 2nd Grade Class

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Gracelyn and I am 7 years old. I live in Brodnax, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Phone

#2. A real baby doll

#3. Monkey Bars

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Gracelyn Tucker

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is RJ and I am 7 years old. I live in Alberta, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Drone

#2. A camera

#3. A drum

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

RJ O’Connor

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Connor and I am 7 years old. I live in Dolphin, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A heated blanket

#2. A Minecraft spider stuffee

#3. A Minecraft magazine

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Connor Lucy

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Rylenn and I am 7 years old. I live in Jarratt, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Everyone to be thankful

#2. All of the homeless people get whatever they need

#3. Everyone to be happy

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Rylenn Veliky

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Tuck and I am 7 years old. I live in Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Hoverboard

#2. APS5

#3. A football throwing machine

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Tuck Hall

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Alice Ann and I am 8 years old. I live in Dolphin, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Gymnastics bar

#2. A high beam

#3. A rolling softball bag

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Alice Ann Bishop

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Charlee and I am 8 years old. I live in Lawrenceville, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Hoverboard

#2. Black Guitar

#3. Stanley Cup

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Charlee Reams

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Cora and I am 7 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Shoes

#2. Mini Brands Toys

#3. Candy Canes

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Cora Randolph

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Annabelle and I am 7 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A High Beam

#2. A Razor Scooter

#3. A Bitsy

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Annabelle Smith

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Eli and I am 7 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Apple tablet

#2. An Electric scooter

#3. Laser tag

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Eli Bevell

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Lucy and I am 8 years old. I live in Dolphin, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Nintendo Games

#2. Muck boots

#3. Electric Scooter

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Lucy Alexanders

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Garrett and I am 7 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. X Shot Crusher

#2. Avatar Forest of Pandora

#3. The Battle Pass

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Garrett Betts

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Hadley and I am 8 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Ear Muffs

#2. Soccer Ball

#3. Gymnastic Bar

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Hadley Daniel

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Breelyn and I am 8 years old. I live in Jarratt, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Piano

#2. Gymnastics Mat

#3. Ice Cream Erasers

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Breelyn Temple

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Haley and I am 7 years old. I live in McKenney, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Teal Stanley Cup

#2. A soccer set that has everything

#3. A Sparkly glitter guitar that is signed by Santa

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Haley Maass

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Kensleigh and I am 7 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Music Head phones

#2. An art kit

#3. A Mini school to play with

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Kensleigh Moseley

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Iraa and I am 7 years old. I live in Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Nails

#2. Friendship Necklace

#3. Piano

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Iraa Patel

Mrs. Murphy Blackwell’s 3^rd Grade Class

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Mia and I am 8 years old. I live in Alberta, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. JLB Air pods with cute case

#2. Pink or Yellow Stanley Cup

#3. Scented Markers & new Sketch Books

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Mia Carter

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Carolyn and I am 9 years old. I live in Dolphin, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Necklace

#2. Slime

#3. Bean Bag Chair

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Carolyn King

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Jana and I am 8 years old. I live in Lawrenceville, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Makeup

#2. A lot of Squishmallows

#3. $100 bill

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Jana Ibrahim

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Timothy and I am 8 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. An iPhone

#2. Light Saber

#3. Notebook

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Timothy Townes

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Cora and I am 8 years old. I live in LaCrosse, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1.Surprise #2. A Desk

#3. A chair for my desk

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Cora Early

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Nathan and I am 9 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Cuban Chain

#2. iPhone 13

#3. V-Bucks

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Nathan Slagle

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Nathan and I am 8 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Toys

#2. Actions figures

#3. Surprises

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Nathan Moseley

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Sydney Copeland and I am 8 years old. I live in Littleton, North Carolina. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Guitar

#2. Patrick Mahomes poster

#3. Green bean toy

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Sydney Copeland

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Gavin and I am 8 years old. I live in Dolphin, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Iron Man helmet

#2. Iron Man gloves

#3. A Light Saber

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Gavin Powell

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Landon and I am 8 years old. I live in Ebony, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Prime

#2. Phone

#3. iPad Pro

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Landon Holloman

Mrs. Jackie Sykes’ 3^rd Grade Class

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Rachel and I am 8 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. 3 bunnies

#2. A puppy from China

#3. A new baby sister

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Rachel Dickens

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Cole and I am 9 years old. I live in Purdy, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A Drum Set

#2. A four-wheeler

#3. iPhone 15

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Cole Weeks

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Zach and I am 9 years old. I live in South Hill, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A deer hunting dog

#2. A Youth 20-gauge Shotgun with Red Dot

#3. Easton Hype Fire 28 in.

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Zach Bevell

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Bailey and I am 9 years old. I live in Freeman, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Volleyball

#2. Paint

#3. Paint Brushes

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Bailey Morefield

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Tori and I am 9 years old. I live in Brodnax, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Phone Case

#2. Snow

#3. Olay

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Tori Morris

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Brent and I am 9 years old. I live in Stony Creek, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. A teddy bear bigger than me.

#2. A BB gun with a scope

#3. $100 Dollars

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Brent Wilson

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Taylor and I am 8 years old. I live in Emporia, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Xbox Gift cards

#2. Xbox Controller

#3. Muzzleloader

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Taylor Phillips

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Tatum and I am 9 years old. I live in Alberta, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Phone

#2. Pokémon Cards

#3. $5 Million Dollars

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Tatum Britt

Dear Santa,

Hello! My name is Austin and I am 8 years old. I live in Warfield, Virginia. I have been very good this year and have been thinking of what I would like for Christmas.

#1. Lava Lamp

#2. Shot Gun

#3. Lego Sets

I am very excited for your visit and will leave out some snacks for you and your reindeer.

Love,

Austin Martin

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More state funds could better help English learners, educators say

By Chloe Sutterfield, Capital News Service; Jason Tejeda Molina, VCU InSight

RICHMOND, Va. – The state needs to better fund the education of English language learners, despite recent budget increases, teachers in the field say.

Educators report that English learners have increased needs since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but there are not enough teachers or allocated funds, according to a Joint Legislative Audit and Commission review this year of Virginia's K-12 funding. The commission evaluates state agencies and writes policy analysis at the request of the state legislature.

The state Standards of Quality formula used to calculate staffing does not adequately account for higher needs students. It underestimates the number of second language teachers needed. The state's calculation of teachers needed was 47% of the number estimated as needed by workgroups that contributed to the JLARC report.

The state's ratio is one teacher per 50 English learner students. However, the average school division employed one English as a second language teacher for every 19.5 students. Workgroups still estimated that more teachers were needed.

One workgroup member described "excessively high caseloads" of over 100 English learner students per teacher, according to the JLARC report.

Virginia school divisions serve over 117,000 students whose primary language is not English, or about 10% of the student population, according to the Virginia Department of Education.

ESL program funding

State ESL funding has increased since 2019. The General Assembly appropriated $106.86 million for ESL this fiscal year to support 20 instructional positions per 1,000 English learner students. Local school divisions provide a match, based on an ability-to-pay index.

There are a couple of factors that play into ESL program funding.

Laura Goren is the director of research and education policy at the Commonwealth Institute, a public policy advocacy group.

Virginia has struggled to fund education for a number of years, especially for English learner programs, Goren said.

"We have not made as much progress in increasing funding for English language learners," Goren said. "I think that's an area where Virginia needs to do a whole lot more and we haven't made the progress we need to make."

Local governments have to provide funding to make up for inadequate state support, Goren said.

"Some local governments are much more able to pick up the slack and fund the schools than other local governments."

English learners had the most significant drop in state achievement scores of any student groups measured for state reading, math and science tests in 2021, according to the Commonwealth Institute.

But, Virginia ESL proficiency rates had already dropped 11.3% for fourth grade learners from 2009 to 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The state has just started to lift a cap on support positions that has been in place over a decade.

But advocates say that English learners require more funding per pupil. English learners need up to 2 to 2.5 times more funding than other students, according to a study cited in a VPM report last year.

Jo-el Cox is the VDOE coordinator for English learner instruction. She provides technical assistance to educators, supports state and federal programming initiatives, and relays information on how to best support ESL students.

VDOE offers multiple training opportunities for ESL teachers to learn how to work with their students. They also have tools that help students and their families.

"This year we created a course in Canvas where individuals can log in and learn about the program models," Cox said.

There are five U.S. Department of Education's Language Instruction Educational Program, or LIEP, program modules in Virginia: transitional bilingual, dual immersion, English language development, content with integrated support and newcomer programs.

ESL programs are still recovering from COVID-19, in terms of student growth and student gains, according to Cox.

"I think not having that face-to-face in-person interaction consistently during COVID in some of our school divisions, really didn't do anything to support their learning and further their learning," Cox said.

The importance of ESL programs

More people are coming to the U.S. from other countries, according to Sarah Modrak. She is an LIEP education specialist.

Immigrant naturalization dipped in 2020 with borders and offices closed because of the pandemic. But since 2022, U.S. citizenship has increased by numbers not seen for more than a decade, according to Pew Research.

Modrak is also the supervisor for the Welcome Center at Tucker High School in Henrico County. The center helps ESL students register for school. Henrico County Public Schools has a variety of resources to support ESL students, Modrak said.

The Welcome Center was created to support students and their families through the transition to a new school.

"It's not easy for a family who has just arrived to kind of go through that registration process, to get all of the paperwork and documents that are required," Modrak said. "So it was a place where we could really spend more time in getting that process started as well."

The Welcome Center was impacted by COVID-19, according to Modrak. When everything moved online the center needed a new registration system so families had more options to get into schools.

Allyn Pritchard is a secondary lead LIEP teacher in Henrico. She teaches in multiple languages to cater to her students' primary language. Pritchard also helps teachers by assisting them with accommodations.

English learner programs look different now as a result of the pandemic, but not all of the changes have been negative. Schools are now able to connect with students and families in more convenient ways, according to Pritchard. She could not say if the changes have been easier or harder -- just different.

"I feel like there are more resources now than maybe we had before COVID to meet students where they are," Pritchard said. "The other thing is to be able to meet with families if we can't see families face to face."

ESL students want to learn, and it is important to have a variety of resources to support them in all aspects of their lives, Pritchard said.

"I definitely find there are more 'aha' moments," Pritchard said. "When students are learning English out of necessity, it's a great sense of accomplishment when a student comes in for the first time and they greet you before you greet them."

VCU InSight journalist Jason Tejeda Molina contributed to this report.

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Virginia problem gambling services need more funding, advocates say

Helpline calls spike with Virginia gambling expansion

By Kaitlyn McMahon, Capital News Service; Video by Mario Navarro, VCU InSight

RICHMOND, Va. -- More money is being funneled into Virginia's problem gambling services, but advocates say increased gambling demands more resources for help.

Virginia ranked near the bottom of all states in the amount of money directed toward problem gambling before casino and sports betting were legalized. The Problem Gambling Treatment and Support fund was created in 2020 when gambling expanded in Virginia. Collection of revenues into the fund began in January 2021.

Before 2021, the Virginia Lottery directed approximately $75,000 annually to the fund, according to VPM. Casinos are now required to put .8% of a statutory tax into casino adjusted gross revenue, the money left after winning bets are paid, into the gambling help fund. Sports wagering sends 2.5% of taxed AGR to the fund.

Fifteen states increased their budget 5% or more between 2021 and 2022, according to the National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services.

Virginia significantly bumped up its support in 2022, and gave around $2 million to problem gambling services, according to numbers from NAADGS.

A report prepared for the General Assembly in 2019 estimated that effective problem gambling prevention and treatment could cost $2 million to $6 million annually.

Sports bettors are setting record breaking amounts of wagers. The state is collecting more tax revenue than was forecast four years ago, according to the Virginia Mercury.

Bettors used mobile apps to wager $565.56 million on sports in October, according to the most recent Virginia Lottery report. They wagered over $5.78 million through a casino sportsbook.

That left $56.36 million combined sports betting AGR for the state to tax.

The taxable amount from slots and table games at all three casinos combined in October was $49.56 million.

The AGR is similar but sports wagering sends more money to the problem gambling fund. Casino play contributed $72,887 toward the fund in October and sports betting contributed $213,754.

The majority of gamblers are not using casinos to access Virginia's 16 legal sports books.

Caesars Casino in Danville holds the highest share of casino sports betting at almost 6.5%. FanDuel is the state's No. 1 sportsbook with 40% of the market share, according to the state lottery October gaming compliance report. DraftKings is No. 2 with 28%.

Views on sports betting

Northern Virginia resident Cristian Lazo, age 21, began sports betting in May. He places weekly bets using DraftKings. Lazo uses online sports betting as opposed to in-person due to convenience.

Lazo was already a sports fan, and decided to earn some money.

"Betting on it can make watching the sport better sometimes," Lazo said.

Sports betting isn't uncommon among Lazo's friends. He mostly bets on football and soccer games, and he's won "a good amount of bets."

"I think the total amount of money I've won is somewhere around $350 to $400," Lazo said.

Lazo said he "technically" hasn't lost any money because of the rewards program that he takes advantage of. He puts some of his winnings toward other wagers.

Brendan Dwyer is the director of research and distance learning at the Center for Sports Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. An associate professor, he has degrees in economics and sports administration.

"Sports betting is something that makes the sports industry more attractive," Dwyer said. "It's better for games and it's better for the consumer."

About 19% of Americans, or 1 in 5, reported sports betting in a 12-month period, the Pew Research Center reported last year. That includes online, with a friend or at a casino. Most people who bet are under the age of 50.

A majority see sports gambling as neither bad nor good for society. Only 8% saw it as a good thing for society, and a slightly higher amount saw it as good for sports.

About a third of people surveyed view gambling as bad for society and sports.

There are more positives than negatives, according to Dwyer, who does not think sports betting is going away "any time soon."

"As long as we identify who the major groups are that need to be aware of the challenges, I think it is something that should be supported by the leagues, the teams, by state legislatures because of the revenue that they get from it," Dwyer said.

Sports betting shifts younger

Gambling age demographics have shifted nationwide due to the recent legalization in many states.

Lia Nower is director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University.

"Overall, men have the highest rates of gambling problems as well as emerging adults, ages 21 to 25, followed by ages 26 to 44," stated Nower.

In-person gambling trends older while online casinos and sports betting trends younger, according to Nower.

The state helpline has seen a shift in the age of callers, which used to be older individuals who had been gambling for years before developing a problem, according to Carolyn Hawley.

Hawley works with the Virginia Lottery-funded problem gambling helpline as president of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling. She is also an associate professor in the department of rehabilitation counseling at VCU.

"We've seen a huge shift, and this has been seen nationwide with also the onset of sports betting legalization, is a much younger demographic," Hawley said. "People who are starting to develop problems really quick ... it's that speed, that repetitive nature, that works with dopamine and just you know, accelerates that addictive process."

Roughly 2% of Virginia's population could be impacted by problem gambling, the state's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services commissioner said earlier this year.

Substance use disorders in the U.S. are 3.8 times more common than gambling disorders, according to the VCPG. But public funding for substance abuse treatment is about 334 times greater than public funding for all problem gambling services, or $24.4 billion versus $73 million, respectively, according to the VCPG.

Spike in helpline calls

The state problem gambling helpline has seen a 788% increase in total calls between 2019 and 2022, in part due to increased advertising of the services, according to Hawley.

"Since launching treatment and recovery services for Virginians last year, the need for these services is outpacing our resources," Hawley said.

Helpline operations are covered by Virginia Lottery funds. But the education, prevention and other activities of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling are covered by membership fees, according to Hawley, and are not guaranteed from year to year.

Virginia used to be a "conservative" gambling state, Hawley said.

"We had our three main forms of gambling which was lottery, horse wagering and charitable, and since 2019 we just exploded with the forms of gambling that are now available and legal," Hawley said.

Substance abuse disorder and gambling disorder share a lot of the same characteristics, according to Hawley.

"Gambling can often be more insidious because you can't smell it, you can't see it, people are very good at hiding it," Hawley said.

There are also high rates of suicide among people with a gambling addiction, according ot Hawley.

Problem gambling has the highest rate of suicide among addiction disorders, with 1 in 5 attempting suicide, according to the nonprofit Health Resources in Action. A very high number of people with problem gambling meet criteria for other mental illnesses.

How to get started with help

Some signs that could indicate an individual has a gambling addiction, according to Hawley:

Gambling is interfering with life and causing problems.
A lot of time is spent thinking about gambling and planning the next gambling activity.
More time spent gambling than other activities the individual used to enjoy.
It takes more to get that same level of excitement.
It is hard to cut back or stop.