Va. inmates who take vaccine to receive free phone credits and commissary items
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — Virginia Department of Corrections is encouraging inmates to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Officials say inmates who get their vaccine will receive free email stamps and telephone credits as well as a care package filled with commissary items, including snacks.
“We want all staff and inmates who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get their inoculations as soon as possible,” said Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Harold Clarke. “This effort is important to all in the VADOC community – our staff, inmates, and the community outside the walls, where our staff and inmates’ families live. We hope this campaign leads to better health in VADOC facilities and in the Commonwealth itself.”
The department began Phase 1a vaccinations, covering medical staff, about two weeks ago.
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Last week, VADOC began Phase 1b vaccinations, which involves a system-wide effort to vaccinate as many staff and inmates as possible. VADOC medical staff are administering the Moderna vaccine received from the Virginia Department of Health.
Officials say, as of Friday, 1,177 staff and 648 inmates had received vaccinations.
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For those inmates choosing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes two doses approximately 28 days apart, VADOC will begin distributing incentive packs in early March.
