The Violence Intervention Unit is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of programs designed to combat gangs and violence throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. It specializes in working with gang-involved youth and youth who have a history of violence in an effort to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in life. This unit uses evidence-based approaches to address gangs and violence both in the juvenile correctional center and community. The ASPiRE program, designed for the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice direct care population, is currently implemented in the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center for residents suspected, validated, associated, or affiliated with gang involvement. The Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) programming is implemented in all 30 of the state-funded court service units across the state. This program is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention as a means of intervention.
