Admission Policy & Procedure

GENERAL INFORMATION: Piedmont House does not use an application form and accepts only nonviolent male felons who are in relatively good health and have no record of sex crimes. The latter point is in compliance with the Virginia Department of Corrections contract under which Piedmont House essentially operates as a community-based work release program. Residents admitted to the program come from three sources, prison, jail or from “the street”. From the street means a probationer who commits some violation of the terms of his probation and whose probation officer believes the probationer will benefit from a more structured environment. All applicants must be under active Department of Corrections supervision. No applicant’s stay at Piedmont House may be paid through private funding. No one can be admitted to the program without Department of Corrections funding. While Piedmont House is glad to respond to any inquiries, no one will be admitted without the express approval of an element of the Department of Corrections.

PRISON INMATES: Prison inmates seeking admission to Piedmont House must work through their prison counselors to begin the admission process. Prison counselors will be asked to provide a number of documents to Piedmont House to allow an informed decision as to the suitability of an applicant. Release of this information may require the inmate sign a release of information form, which can be provided by Piedmont House. Inmates using Piedmont House as part of their home plan must agree in writing to a full ninety-day stay. Documents that will be required include:

1. The most currently available pre-sentence investigation report on the applicant.
2. Prison behavior reports.
3. Arrest records.
4. Medical records.
5. Mental health records.
6. Prison work history, if any.
7. Prison release documents noting the conditions of release, preferably with a reference for the inmate’s need to successfully complete the Piedmont House Community Residential Program.
8. Other information as needed.

Prison counselors are asked to contact the Department of Corrections Offender Management Services Unit for assistance in placing an inmate.

JAIL INMATES OR THOSE ALREADY RELEASED FROM JAIL: Jail inmates and those being sent from the street must work through their probation officers. Probation Officers are asked to provide the following documents for applicants.

1. The most currently available presentence investigation report on the applicant including information regarding any behavior problems while in jail, as well as a medical and mental health history.
2. Arrest records or a certification by the probation officer the applicant has no violent criminal history.
3. An amended court order or other legal authority noting the applicant must successfully complete the ninety-day Piedmont House Community Residential Program.
4. Other documents as needed.

NOTE ON VIOLENT CRIMINAL HISTORY: Consideration will be given to those who have a criminal history involving only misdemeanor arrests for such crimes as assault and battery convictions which are not recent.