The Virginia Department of Corrections issued a somewhat cryptic press release regarding a potential survey that may or may not have been sent out on behalf of a news organization. It would appear that the Virginia Department of Corrections is attempting to present themselves as being an advocate for inmate rights, by having 'their' appropriate departments vet surveys in advance of distribution, as they have stated in order to "protect inmates from negative consequences of participating in surveys and research." Those with loved ones, or who are fighting for rights of the incarcerated, serving time within VADOC, have expressed much deserved skepticism.
At this time it is unclear as to the content of said survey, or who the survey was sent out on behalf of; or even if this survey was sent out on behalf of a reputable news organization or advocacy group. We at Advocate VA would like to view a copy of this survey, so as to research its validity, and encourage anyone in receipt of, to please foraward a copy to advocateva@outlook.com.
As with any such, or similar matters we advise you to use your own personal discretion when considering providing any information to companies, organizations, or the general public. As always, research what is in your best interest to disclose, and do so with caution. We at Advocate VA, being in lack of enough content based information, and without having the opportunity to thoroughly vet such content cannot at this time offer an opinion on the matter.
The full press release has been copied direct from the Virginia Department of Corrections website below:
"Alert Regarding Inmate Survey
JULY 16, 2021
Inmates may have recently received a survey in the mail that looks like it is from a news station. VADOC has not been able to confirm that it is from a news station. Anything that inmates put on the survey could be used against them in a court of law. Inmates do not have to reply to this survey or provide any information if they don’t want to take the chance of it being made public.
The VADOC has a Human Research Review Committee (HSRRC) to protect inmates from negative consequences of participating in surveys and research. All surveys and research involving inmates is supposed to go through the HSRRC review process for approval first. These surveys didn’t go through the process and so VADOC could not review them or check into the people who sent them.
Any research that has been reviewed and approved will include a written informed consent that will thoroughly explain to inmates what the project is, any risk or benefit for inmates, a requirement that the information be confidential, and acknowledgement that inmates do not need to participate in the project. Further, it will tell the inmates that if they decide to participate, they can stop at any time. No research should ever proceed without the affected inmates signing that they understand and agree to participate.
This survey does not come with any guarantee of confidentiality and VADOC doesn’t know what the senders will do with the information they receive.
We urge inmates to be cautious about responding to such requests."
To view the press release in its original format on the Virginia Department of Corrections Website, please click here
In Solidarity,
P. MacManus, Advocate VA Team Member
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Advocate VA seeks to bridge the sizeable gap between legislators, legislative policy and those advocating for positive social change, inmate rights and progressive criminal justice reform in the State of Virginia. We are a non-partisan advocacy grassroots movement, which through collaboration with reputable advocacy groups and the private citizenry, seek to bring attention to the continued and longstanding bias of those currently incarcerated, while proactively assisting their peers and extended families petition for urgent criminal justice reform.
Our prime objective is to advocate for an intensive reevaluation of outdated policies and practices and to actively seek, and help others petition, for advance legislation, seeing to the continued and ongoing reform of Virginia's overtly harsh and punitive criminal justice system.
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