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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 6. Criminal Justice And Corrections
Agency 15. State Board of Local and Regional Jails
Chapter 81. Standards for Planning, Design, Construction, and Reimbursement of Local Correctional Facilities
12/26/2024

6VAC15-81-1120. Fencing.

A. Two levels of security fencing are as follows:

1. Inmate containment fencing designed for outdoor recreation areas outside the secure perimeter shall consist of:

a. Two fences at least 12 feet in height and at least 10 feet apart.

b. Fence fabric shall be at least nine-gage, 2-1/2-inch mesh maximum opening, galvanized steel interwoven wire.

c. Razor wire shall be provided and installed per manufacturer recommendations on the top of both fences in the vee arms or on the outrigger arm on the inmate side at the top.

d. A third row of razor wire shall be located between the fences on the inmate side, adjacent to the outside fence.

e. All razor wire shall be a minimum of 24/30 inch double helix coil constructed of 100% stainless steel.

2. Fencing designed for short-term supervised emergency containment shall be:

a. At least 12 feet high.

b. At least nine-gage and 2-1/2-inch maximum opening mesh.

c. Galvanized steel wire interwoven fence fabric.

d. Topped with a minimum of three rows of barbed wire securely fastened to support arms at the top of line and corner posts angled to the inmate side.

B. Fence components including the top and bottom rails, line posts, terminal posts, tension bars, attachments, concrete footings for the fence, walk gates and truck gates, shall be in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.

C. Both top and bottom selvage of the fence fabric shall be twisted and barbed.

D. All exterior fencing shall be effectively grounded.

E. After installation, all threaded fittings, connectors, and bolts shall be tack welded or peened to prevent nuts and pins from being removed. All exposed threads and connector twisted wire tie ends shall face away from the inmate side of the fence, except for double fences where the exposed threads and connector twisted wire tie ends shall face between the fences.

F. All twisted wire tie down wires shall be minimum nine-gage galvanized steel and twisted a minimum of two turns at each end.

G. Hog ring type connectors are not allowed in fencing construction.

H. Fences are not required to have barbed wire if protected by razor wire.

I. Openings between the fence post and building shall not exceed two inches.

J. Bracing shall be shielded or installed on the side of fenced away from inmates, except for double fences where the connectors and bolts shall be between fences.

K. Lock assemblies for gates in fence shall be protected from unauthorized access and tampering.

L. Tension wires are not permitted in lieu of bottom rails.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

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