DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/pth2-p281
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2952-1489
Defense Date
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Public Policy & Administration
First Advisor
Hans M. Louis-Charles, PhD (Chair)
Second Advisor
Brittany Haupt, PhD
Third Advisor
Amy Cook, PhD
Fourth Advisor
Chernoh Wurie, PhD
Fifth Advisor
Sahar Derakhshan, PhD
Abstract
Correctional populations and staff members face enormous challenges during natural disasters. Inmates are vulnerable for many reasons: They rely on correctional administration to make decisions on their behalf, such as providing food and supplies, shelter in place, evacuation, and healthcare. Inmates have been abandoned in locked cells during natural disasters, leading to deteriorating health conditions and death. Correctional staff respond to inmates’ emergency needs, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being. They are required to report for duty, even in the most difficult times, amid limited resources and natural disaster-related training.
The dissertation examines the preparedness of jails and local emergency management agencies in Virginia to meet the emergency needs of inmates and correctional staff. This mixed methods study interviewed jail and local emergency management staff and surveyed jail personnel in local facilities across Virginia. Interviews were analyzed thematically using NVivo, while the survey data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
Overall, jails in Virginia are prepared for low-impact disasters but are unprepared to adequately respond to and recover from high-impact disasters. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between prior disaster experience and preparedness (B = -1.078, SE = 0.29, t = -3.718, p = .001). Although, disaster preparedness showed an upward trend across locations based on natural hazard risk levels: the very low-risk category (M = 1.45, SD = 0.67, n = 10), relatively low-risk group (M = 1.84, SD = 0.70, n = 34), and relatively moderate-risk group showed a mean score of M = 1.93, (SD = 0.79, n = 19), there was no statistically significant difference in preparedness among groups.
The results have policy implications, underscoring the need for robust preparedness for inmates and correctional staff in Virginia and for research.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
8-7-2026