VARJ.ORG

Virginia Association of Regional Jails

History of the Virginia Association of Regional Jails (As of 12-20-00):
Circa the summer of 1988, the regional jail superintendents at the time decided to meet periodically to discuss common concerns and to determine how their jails could be enhanced. Those jails were the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center (Supt. Dick West) in Saluda, the Albemarle-Charlottesville Joint Security Complex (Supt. Mike McMahan) in Charlottesville, the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center (Supt. Dick Kiekbush) in Manassas, the Rappahannock Security Center Regional Jail (Supt. Bob Mason) in Fredericksburg and the just opened-up Piedmont Regional Jail (Supt. Art Lane) in Farmville.

These informal meetings continued as other regional jails became operational, and Morty Leibowitz of the Rappahannock Security Center Regional Jail agreed to become President of the "group" in 1991. In 1992 Sterling Proffitt of the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange was the first elected President. Dr. Arthur L. Lane, Jr., Superintendent of the Piedmont Regional Jail, wrote a "Mission Statement", and Mr. Proffitt authored the very first set of By-Laws, which were adopted on 11-13-92. Thus, this informal group of regional jail superintendents became known as the Virginia Association of Regional Jail Superintendents (VARJS). Shortly thereafter, the VARJS became incorporated and was listed on file with the State Corporation Commission and was issued a certificate on 5-12-93.

Subsequently, the By-Laws were amended by its members on 5-7-93 and 3-10-94, respectively. Further, other amendments were effective on 7-12-96, 9-11-98, and 18-99, which expanded the list of persons who could be voted as an "Honorary Member". Delegate John J. "Butch" Davies, III was chosen by the superintendents at a meeting held on 1-8-99 at the Southside Regional Jail as the first Honorary Member", who was not a former regional jail superintendent. Delegate Davies was recognized for his efforts in being the patron of 36 pieces of successful legislation from 1992 to 1998 on behalf of regional jails. Another amendment to the By-Laws was approved on 3-12-99 in Williamsburg and allowed a superintendent to select a "primary designee" who could attend Association meetings in his/her stead, and with full voting rights. Further, on 5-3-99, also in Williamsburg, the By-Laws were amended to allow assistant regional jail superintendents to serve as officers of VARJ.