Virginia’s prison ombudsman was removed from a forum over disputes on prison conditions, despite her office’s push for reform.

Virginia’s new prison ombudsman, Andrea Sapone, was escorted out of a public forum in Richmond after a heated meeting over prison conditions at facilities like Red Onion and Wallens Ridge. The event, meant to gather input for the newly created Corrections Ombudsman Unit, drew criticism from advocates and families citing abuse, poor health care, and extreme temperatures. Sapone, appointed in September 2024, oversees independent prison inspections and has conducted three unannounced visits, but her office faces challenges due to high complaint volumes and jurisdictional limits. Despite disruptions, the ombudsman’s office maintains its commitment to impartial oversight and systemic reform.