# Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-128: Workforces and authorized work places

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-128

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-128
- **Heading:** Workforces and authorized work places
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 53.1 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 53.1-128

## Text

The local governing body of any county, city or town may establish workforces in the county, city or town under such conditions as it may prescribe. Such workforces are authorized to work on (i) public property or works owned, leased or operated by the Commonwealth or the county, city or town; (ii) a privately operated national park on federal land; (iii) any property owned by a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) or (c)(4) and that is organized and operated exclusively for charitable or social welfare purposes whether the same is located within such county, city or town, or elsewhere; or (iv) private property (a) owned or occupied by an elderly or indigent person or persons where such property has been identified by a citizens housing advisory committee as needing rehabilitation or repair and the property owner has consented to such work or (b) classified as or used as a cemetery where such property has been abandoned and where on such property exist nuisances that have been identified by a municipal corporation for abatement or removal pursuant to § 15.2-1115 or a similar local ordinance. Every person 18 years of age or older who is convicted and confined for any violation of a local ordinance and who is confined as a punishment or for failure to pay a required fine, shall be liable to work in such workforce. Every person 18 years of age or older who is confined pending disposition of an offense under Chapter 5 (§ 20-61 et seq.) of Title 20 or a criminal offense not listed in § 19.2-297.1 may work in such workforce on a voluntary basis with the approval of and under the supervision of the sheriff or his designee.

Code 1950, § 53-163; 1970, c. 648; 1982, c. 636; 1991, c. 580; 1997, cc. 123 , 546 ; 2010, c. 168 ; 2011, c. 767 ; 2019, c. 199 .

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-128 Workforces and authorized work places](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-128.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-129 Order permitting prisoners to work on state, county, city, town, certain private property or nonprofit organization property; bond of person in charge of prisoners](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-129.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-130 Sheriffs, jail superintendents, etc., not to be interested in property where work performed; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-130.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-131 Provision for release of prisoner from confinement for employment, educational or other rehabilitative programs; escape; penalty; disposition of earnings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-131.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-131.1 Provision for sentencing of person to nonconsecutive days in jail; payment to defray costs; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-131.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-131.2 Assignment to a home/electronic incarceration program; payment to defray costs; escape; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-131.2.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-131.3 Payment of costs associated with prisoners' keep](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-131.3.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-132 Furloughs from local work release programs; penalty for violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-132.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-133 Treatment of prisoner with contagious disease](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-133.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-133.01 Medical treatment for prisoners](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-133.01.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-133.01:1 Payment for bodily injury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-133.01%3A1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-133.02 Notice to be given upon prisoner release, escape, etc](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-133.02.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-133.03 Exchange of medical and mental health information and records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-133.03.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 53.1-133.04 Medical and mental health treatment of prisoners incapable of giving consent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-133.04.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T53.1_C3_A7_S53.1-128. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.