On May 7 — one day after the Office of the State Inspector General announced the launch of a special review into Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center — a fight broke out among youth inside the facility, resulting in two teachers being transported to a local hospital.
“Two teachers fell while trying to break up a fight among students in a classroom,” Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice spokesperson Melodie Martin said in an email to VPM News. “DJJ is investigating [Wednesday’s] altercation, which involved a small number of individuals and is suspected of being gang related.”
Martin said while the teachers’ injuries appeared minor, they were taken to a local hospital “out of an abundance of caution.” It is unclear how many residents, if any, were injured during the fight.
Bon Air JCC has come under scrutiny for operating under “critically low” staffing levels, with allegations of unsafe conditions for both staff and youth, inadequate rehabilitation programming, and increased levels of isolation. A 2024 independent investigation found that increased levels of “idleness and boredom” among youth was resulting in an uptick in violence.
The state-run center was the subject of “Idleness and boredom,” an investigative series released in April in which VPM News explored the costs of understaffing Virginia’s only youth correctional facility.
That month, DJJ Director Amy Floriano — who was appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2022 — appeared before Virginia’s Commission on Youth to answer questions regarding safety and staffing at the facility. Lawmakers then unanimously voted in favor of requesting an independent inquiry into Bon Air JCC.
Following the meeting, state Sen. Barbara Favola (D–Arlington), the commission’s chair, sent a letter to Youngkin, asking him to authorize an independent review. Youngkin has yet to respond to Favola’s letter, but his office told VPM News on April 10 that he was reviewing the letter and has “deep appreciation for Director Floriano’s leadership at the Department of Juvenile Justice.”
On May 6, Amy M. Atkinson, the commission’s executive director, received a letter from State Inspector General Michael C. Westfall, detailing plans for a special review at Bon Air JCC. Westfall was appointed by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam in 2018.
At a minimum, Westfall’s letter said, the special review will investigate the operations at the facility, adequacy of staffing, and programming — including mental health services — provided to the residents.
Favola told VPM News in a statement that she believes OSIG can conduct an independent and objective review of Bon Air JCC.
“The Commission on Youth, stakeholders, program managers and appropriators are ready to ensure that Virginia’s youth receive the services and rehabilitative programs they need to grow into contributing adults,” Favola said. “Virginians want and expect our juvenile correctional system to work.”
In order to meet the goals of the special review, OSIG Audit Manager Nancy Edmunds and auditors Sidney Stewart and Madison McRae will tour Bon Air JCC and interview key staff members. They will also document the processes and procedures related to operations of the facility.
According to Westfall’s letter, DJJ will have the opportunity to comment on the draft report and provide a plan of action based on the recommendations.
Valerie Slater, executive director of RISE for Youth and a former juvenile justice attorney with Legal Aid Justice Center, said she’s glad to see Youngkin taking the issues at Bon Air JCC seriously — but wishes the investigative team was independent.
“It's not to say that there cannot be a fair and impartial investigation, but we should shun the very appearance that there could be any impropriety, or that there could be any leniency given,” Slater said. “Because it is the state investigating the state.”
Approximately one hour before VPM News’ inquiry to DJJ regarding Wednesday’s fight, the department sent out a statement expressing support for the OSIG review. Chesterfield Fire and EMS said it responded to a medical call at Bon Air JCC at 9:12 a.m.
Chesterfield Police and Virginia State Police both told VPM News they did not respond to any calls at Bon Air JCC on May 7.
“While adhering to strict confidentiality requirements and preserving safety and security, DJJ aims to be fully transparent and has consistently acknowledged the facility’s staffing challenges, which are reflective of national trends,” the DJJ statement said. “The agency supports OSIG’s review and looks forward to receiving and acting on the resulting report and recommendations.”
Slater said the recent incidents at Bon Air JCC are “deeply concerning” and that ensuring the safety of both youth and safety must be a top priority, as “conditions within the facility are steadily worsening.”
“Virginia must now act swiftly and decisively to investigate and implement necessary changes to foster a secure, rehabilitative environment,” Slater said. “Delays are no longer an option.”
The final OISG report will be made available to the Commission on Youth, General Assembly, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the governor’s office on Dec. 1, 2025.
