USA : Hampton Roads jail deadliest in state, according to review

RICHMOND — Inmates died nearly nine times more often in custody at Hampton Roads Regional Jail than at other local or regional jails in Virginia during the past three years, according to an analysis of statistics from two state agencies. Since June 2013, 12 of the 6,716 inmates who have been locked up at the Portsmouth-based jail have died — a rate of 178.7 per 100,000, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch review. Statewide, 129 inmates have died in Virginia in the same time period — a rate of 20.4 per 100,000.

The revelation comes on the heels of Attorney General Mark Herring and Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Friday joining advocates’ calls for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into possible constitutional rights violations at Hampton Roads Regional Jail.

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