ACLU-VA Tells VDOC to Permanently Halt Visitation Policy that Discriminates Against People Who are Menstruating

We sent letters to the Virginia Department of Corrections, Greensville Correctional Center, and Augusta Correctional Center encouraging them to end policies denying contact visitations to menstruating visitors. Although the policy was allegedly “suspended” in late September, at least one facility has continued to prohibit contact visits for individuals using menstrual products, and another permanently suspended the visitation rights of an individual who violated the policy prior to its suspension. Such policies interfere with individuals’ ability to use menstrual products that meet their health needs and discourages visits to inmates that are critical to maintaining family and community connections.