Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-82.1
The Board shall promulgate regulations requiring localities seeking approval of a jail project to (i) submit a community-based corrections plan and (ii) demonstrate that the project can be completed and operated in a cost-efficient manner. Such regulations shall require, at a minimum, the following:
3. That the project be based on a locality- or region-specific jail population forecast, which shall include an analysis of the impact on the jail population of the alternatives identified pursuant to subdivision 2 of this section, and which forecast shall be reviewed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
The Board shall approve no proposed jail project which does not conform to the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to jail renovation projects which do not result in a net increase in available bed space.
1993, cc. 387, 787; 2000, c. 1040.