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Playing with fire: Virginia teens cause ‘disturbance’ at correctional center

Crystal Graham
match fire correctional center
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A juvenile correctional center in Virginia underwent a “disturbance” this weekend as teens allegedly set fires in one housing unit.

The Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield County was the site of the incident on Sunday afternoon, according to Virginia State Police.

State Police, Chesterfield County Police and the Chesterfield County Fire Department responded to the incident.

The unit housed 14 to 16 juveniles, and CCP assisted in securing the unit. The fire department quickly extinguished the fire, according to VSP.

No injuries to staff or inmates were reported.

According to the center’s website, Bon Air is a secure facility with up to 272 beds for youth ages 14 to 20. Youth ages 11 and older may be committed in some cases. The residents at BAJCC receive mental health and rehabilitative counseling services. Specialized treatment programs include substance abuse treatment, aggression management, sex offender treatment and intensive therapeutic programming. Academic and career readiness training is also provided on campus.

In 2024, there were nine fire calls and 11 fire alarm activations at the Bon Air center, Chesterfield fire told WRIC

The incident is under investigation by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, and charges are pending.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.