General Provisions

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Sep 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Article 1 of the Code of Virginia, titled “General Provisions.” It is part of Chapter 2 “State Correctional Facilities”, which is part of Title 53.1 “Prisons and Other Methods of Correction”. It contains 22 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 22 sections.

§ 53.1-18	Department to have custody of property; right to sue to protect property
§ 53.1-19	Establishment of correctional institutions
§ 53.1-20	Commitment of convicted persons to custody of Director
§ 53.1-20.1	Compensation of local jails for cost of incarceration
§ 53.1-21	Transfer of prisoners into and between state and local correctional facilities
§ 53.1-22	Misdemeanant suspected of having contagious disease
§ 53.1-23	Fingerprints, photographs and description
§ 53.1-23.1	Repealed
§ 53.1-23.2	Department to give notice of the receipt of certain prisoners
§ 53.1-24	Record of convictions and register to be kept
§ 53.1-25	Director to prescribe rules; rules to be available to prisoners
§ 53.1-25.1	Rules of state correctional facilities
§ 53.1-26	Confiscation of prohibited articles
§ 53.1-27	Establishment of stores in state correctional facilities
§ 53.1-28	Authority to fix discharge date; improper release; warrant, arrest and hearing
§ 53.1-29	Authority for correctional officers and other employees to carry weapons
§ 53.1-30	Who may enter interior of state correctional facilities; searches of those entering
§ 53.1-31	Sale or lease of gas, oil, or minerals
§ 53.1-31.1	Transportation of prisoners
§ 53.1-31.2	Notification of child support due by a prisoner
§ 53.1-31.3	Notification of incarcerated individuals ineligible for public assistance
§ 53.1-31.4	(Effective July 1, 2026) Government-issued identification; Department of Corrections-issued identification