COVID-19 directives and preparation (Department of Corrections)

Mr. Nash,

Thank you for your request for records made in accordance with the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act (*et seq. §2.2-3700*). You have requested
records relating to the Virginia Department of Corrections response to
COVID-19, also known as corona virus. Specifically, you have requested:

1. Any and all directives, orders, plans, and communications issued to
officials and managerial staff within facilities, as well as individuals
under the supervision of the DOC, regarding preparatory or responsive
measures and requirements related to COVID-19, also known as corona virus.

2. Any relevant plans and directives issued regarding inmate health,
behavior, and participation in preparatory and defensive activities,
including those conducted by the correctional industry program.

Please be advised that our office has tried to contact you via the
telephone number (617-299-1832) included in your FOIA request received
March 9, 2020 but have not heard anything back. As the request is currently
written, #1 "communications" would require searching emails for 11,000+ DOC
employees which would be incredibly expensive and time consuming.

Please contact our office either by email or by phone (804) 887-8249 as
soon as possible to discuss how to narrow this request and begin the
process of producing records.

Thank you for contacting the Virginia Department of Corrections.
--
*Administrative Compliance Unit*
*Virginia Department of Corrections*
*foia@vadoc.virginia.gov* <foia@vadoc.virginia.gov>

Good Afternoon,

I am writing to memorialize the conversation this office had with a
Muckrock representative to discuss officially narrowing the scope of this
request to official directives from DOC leadership to DOC staff and DOC
facility unit heads regarding COVID-19. Thank you for getting back to us
and our office will begin processing the narrowed request. Thank you for
contacting the Virginia Department of Corrections.
--
*Administrative Compliance Unit*
*Virginia Department of Corrections*
*foia@vadoc.virginia.gov* <foia@vadoc.virginia.gov>

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your request for records made in accordance with the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act (*§2.2-3700 et seq.*). You have made a request
for records relating to Virginia Department of Corrections' response to
COVID-19.

As per our discussion, we have narrowed the scope of this request to
official directives from DOC leadership regarding DOC's response to
COVID-19 in lieu of all communications. Subsequently, the DOC IT department
has found 2,586 emails that are responsive to your request. Our office
estimates that it will cost $1,982.60 to process and produce these records
(2,586 emails at approximately 2 minutes per email = 86.2 hours at
$23.00/hr). If you would like to move forward with this request please
verify that you are willing to pay the required cost. We are happy to
discuss further narrowing the request to avoid unnecessary expense.

Thank you for contacting the Virginia Department of Corrections.
--
*Administrative Compliance Unit*
*Virginia Department of Corrections*
*foia@vadoc.virginia.gov* <foia@vadoc.virginia.gov>

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your request for records made in accordance with the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act (*§2.2-3700 et seq.*).

The Virginia Department of Corrections has not received any contact from
you regarding the estimate for the production of records (sent on March 23,
2020) for your FOIA request received on March 9, 2020.

In accordance with Virginia Department of Corrections policy, your request
has been closed and will need to be resubmitted for consideration.

Thank you for contacting the Virginia Department of Corrections.
--
*Administrative Compliance Unit*
*Virginia Department of Corrections*
*foia@vadoc.virginia.gov* <foia@vadoc.virginia.gov>