R.A.I.D. Program

The R.A.I.D. program is a multi-level and progressive inmate work program that stresses inmate responsibility and restitution to the victims of their crimes.  The program was started in Virginia in 1996, with Bedford County being the first to attempt it.  Rockingham County is one of only three locations in the Commonwealth active to date.  The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office started with the R.A.I.D program in December of 1998.

R.A.I.D. is designed to accomplish five goals:

• assist victims of crime in the recovery of restitution, court costs, and child support

• provide true punishment for criminal activity, by having inmates pay the victims and society back for their crimes

• reduce the rate of recidivism by providing the inmate on-the-job training and a job upon release from custody

• service both the judicial system and probation and parole by providing a vehicle for payment of restitution, court costs and child support

• provide additional revenue for the locality for the funding of deputy positions and public safety programs.

Since the program began in Rockingham County, the Sheriff's Office has been instrumental in collecting a total of $1,148,662 in operational fees, fines and support collections.  Over $825,531 was applied to outstanding child support arrearages.  A total of 246 inmates have been involved in the program, since its inception, amounting to a total of 29,568 days (total days per inmate) that inmates have spent on home incarceration.  R.A.I.D. program participants have saved taxpayers $58 per day in inmate incarceration costs.

The R.A.I.D. program includes the use of an inmate work force, work release and home incarceration.  By providing several levels of work classification, the program encourages the inmate to strive for increased earnings, responsibility and freedom.   The inmate can be placed at any level of the program, but it is recommended that he work up to the levels to emphasize the importance of good work habits and conformance to the structure of the program.

Under Level One, the most structured, supervision-intensive of the three levels (incorporated under 53.1-129 Code of Virginia), inmates are placed to perform work for local, state and federal government agencies, as well as non-profit organizations.  The inmate receives exemplary good time and a small portion of the monies earned.  A majority of the money, however, goes toward the payment of court costs, restitution and child support.

Level Two affords the inmate more personal responsibility and freedom of movement (using the work release model of 53.1-131 Code of Virginia).  Inmates at this level are provided a job by the R.A.I.D. staff, unless they have program-approved employment before they are incarcerated.  Each inmate is placed on a payment program by the staff, and is required to make payments to continue participation in the program.

The final step in the program is Level Three, and uses home incarceration under the home electronic incarceration model of 53.1-1-131.2 Code of Virginia.  Inmates may be referred to this program by the courts at the time of sentencing, or may progress through the first two levels.  Inmates, at this level, are also placed on a payment program by the staff and are required to make payments in order to remain in the program.

In order to participate in the R.A.I.D.program, an inmate must go through a stringent three-step qualification process

IDENTIFICATION.  The participant, upon receiving an active jail sentence [less than two years] with or without a recommendation to the R.A.I.D.program [if eligible] from the Court.  The participant is booked into the Jail, and a copy of the court disposition is given to the R.A.I.D. case worker to schedule an interview.

INTERVIEW.  The approved inmate will be drug-tested and interviewed.  A criminal history check will be made.   The inmate may then be placed in program-approved employment.  A payment program will be set up for the inmate and the employer to discuss the rules, regulations and expectations of the program and its participants.

PLACEMENT & PARTICIPATION. After successful completion of the first two steps, the inmate is placed on the program, and is tested for drugs and alcohol, at least once a week.  Payment for program fees, drug tests, restitution, court costs and child support are made on a weekly basis.  The staff will make employment checks to insure good job performance and conformance to program rules and regulations.  Physical checks and electronic monitoring equipment is used at the residence of inmates who are on home incarceration.

If you have any questions about program eligibility, call the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office R.A.I.D. Division @ 540/564-3800