THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SERVES AN INMATE POPULATION OF ABOUT 7,000 MEN AND WOMEN. EACH INMATE IS PLACED IN A FACILITY WHICH IS BEST ABLE TO MEET HIS NEEDS. DUE TO VARIATIONS IN UNIT POPULATIONS AND VISITING FACILITIES, VISITING HOURS VARY. EACH INMATE BEGINS HIS ASSIGNMENT IN KEEPING WITH HIS CUSTODY RATING. BETTER ASSIGNMENTS RESULT FROM JOBS WELL DONE AND ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS WHICH INDICATE A DESIRE FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT. THE LAW ALLOWS AN AUTOMATIC SENTENCE REDUCTION OF ONE-THIRD FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR. IN ADDITION TO RULES GOVERNING PAROLE ELIGIBILITY, A NUMBER OF OTHER FACTORS INDICATIVE OF THE INMATE'S READINESS FOR REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY WHICH ARE CONSIDERED BY THE PAROLE BOARD ARE LISTED. INMATES HAVE VISITING AND CORRESPONDENCE PRIVILEGES WHICH ARE DEPENDANT UPON CONFORMITY TO PRISON REGULATIONS. MINIMUM CUSTODY PRISONERS MAY BE GRANTED FURLOUGHS OR 3-DAY PASSES. A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE ON VOLUNTARY BASIS, INCLUDING RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, WORK RELEASE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, RECREATIONAL, AND ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS. A NUMBER OF PUBLIC AGENCIES ALSO COOPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE INMATES. MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO INMATES. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS IN WHICH FAMILIES AND RELATIVES CAN HELP THE INMATE. FAMILIES SHOULD WRITE AND VISIT AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE; IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE CHEERFUL AND SUPPORTIVE, FOR A FEELIING OF FAMILY ACCEPTANCE CAN BE A STABILIZING INFLUENCE. MONEY MAY BE DEPOSITED IN THE INMATE TRUST FUND, PERMITTING INMATES TO PURCHASE PERSONAL ITEMS NOT SUPPLIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. INMATES SHOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED BY FAMILY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN SELF-IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS. SHOULD DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS ARISE, RELATIVES ARE ADVISED TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH A PRISON OFFICIAL, SECURE ALL THE FACTS, AND MAKE AN OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE SITUATION. NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE USUALLY APPRECIATED BY INMATES. FINALLY, IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS FAMILY PROBLEMS, RELATIVES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ADVISE PRISON OFFICIALS. FAMILY FINANCIAL PROBLEMS MAY BE DISCUSSED TO DETERMINE WELFARE ELIGIBILITY. LISTINGS OF MAJOR FACILITIES AND THEIR ADDRESSES AND OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT STAFF ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (JAP)