n early 2021, after having dealt with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic for over 10 months, the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) finally began receiving vaccines. Up until the availability of the vaccines, VADOC had experienced the loss of over 50 inmates due to the virus. In addition, the Department lost one of its most prominent leaders of more than 40 years, Warden Earl Barksdale. As a priority group, Virginia’s inmates had access to the vaccine early. In January 2021 VADOC set out with a goal to provide as many vaccinations as possible to help protect inmates and staff. Despite intensive efforts to support and encourage vaccine acceptance, the Department experienced a high level of resistance and vaccine hesitancy among the inmate population, resulting in many refusing to be vaccinated.
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