PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Hampton Roads Regional Jail Interim Superintendent and Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe says an operational review about the policies and procedures in the jail is underway.
"Today and tomorrow [senior staff members] are going to be reviewing the policies and procedures for the facility and then they are going to be out in the jail looking at different departments, different divisions, staff member, talking to staff members and actually seeing things for themselves," McCabe said Monday.
According to McCabe, the decision to change leadership came very quickly, so now he is trying to meet with staff to reassure them of the changes taking place.
"For the most part, I'm pretty pleased with the atmosphere and the morale of the staff," McCabe said.
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Attorney General Mark Herring requested that the Department of Justice investigate after 24-year-old Jamycheal Mitchell and Henry Stewart died in the jail.
Mitchell's family filed a $60 million lawsuit.
Stewart died in early August. His family said they received an emergency grievance form returned to them with the rest of his possessions. The form states that Stewart repeatedly begged for medical help.
"My brother was treated wrong. It was wrong," said Michelle Wilson, Stewart's sister.
McCabe said there are some things that can't be released to the public when it comes to operations inside the jail, but he said they need to improve communication about releasable information.
"It's tough being a family member and having somebody inside, especially if there's been any perception that their medical care is not good. But I can tell you this medical company here is in four out of the five jurisdictions jails in Hampton Roads. We have to do a better job of communicating, if there is a situation, we need to be open. We need to be open and honest as much as we can about it," said McCabe.
McCabe will remain in charge of the Norfolk Jail while serves as the interim superintendent.
