Two people were killed in Virginia prisons in less than a week, and the local National Coalition of Public Safety Officers (NCPSO-VA) is pointing to years-long staffing shortages.
Correctional Officer Killed
On November 17, at River North Correctional Center, just before 8 a.m., inmate John Holomon Russell allegedly attacked Jeremy Hall, a 40-year-old corrections officer who later died at the hospital. VADOC described the incident as “a vicious attack,” though no details have been released about how Hall was killed.
Police Grade Pepper Spray | Belt Clip Included
VADOC Director Chad Dodson said Hall, who joined the department in April 2024, was assigned to protect nurses distributing medication and that’s what he did.
“More people would have been hurt if not for officer Jeremy Hall,” Dodson said, noting Hall “ran to the fight.” But Dodson didn’t elaborate on the incident.
Russell, 32, was serving an 11-year, 11-month sentence for carjacking and 3-year sentence for using a firearm in commission of a felony from Fairfax along with a 2-year sentence for shoplifting in Albemarle.
Two other officers injured in the attack were treated at a local hospital, released, and are now recovering.
NCPSO-VA said they were “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and injuries at River North. “This tragedy comes less than a week after a fatal attack at Greensville Correctional Center in Eastern Virginia,” the union noted.
Inmate Killed
On November 11, at Greensville Correctional Center, a corrections team member called for assistance from a supervisor at 3:10 a.m.
One inmate was reportedly found on top of his cellmate, who was unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts, the inmate was pronounced dead at 4:30 a.m. at Bon Secours – Southern Virginia Medical Center.
Few other details were shared about that incident other than VADOC confirming there’s an investigation.
Union Speaks Out
The union emphasized: “Chronic staffing shortages and high turnover in the Virginia Department of Corrections have persisted for more than a decade. Adequate staffing levels and proper training are foundational to the safe and effective operation of any correctional facility for officers, staff, and the incarcerated population. These issues have been our highest priority since 2009, yet year after year we have been met with denials, misdirection, and deflection.”
They added: “We remain in the fact-gathering stage regarding both recent incidents. However, we are certain that staffing levels directly contributed to the death of an incarcerated individual at Greensville Correctional Center, where only one officer was present on the floor at the time of the attack. Information regarding the fatal assault at River North Correctional Center is still being collected.”
In August 2025, VADOC reported having over 11,000 employees and more than 2,400 vacancies, according to a document obtained and shared by RadioIQ.
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