Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has rescinded a directive by her Republican predecessor, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, that approved the sale of the Augusta Correctional Center to a nondescript asset management company.
Augusta Correctional Center, which was closed in 2024, was identified as one of six facilities in Virginia, North Carolina and elsewhere that are being considered for detention facilities as the federal government ramps up deportation efforts, according to a report released Thursday by the ACLU of Virginia.
Youngkin issued his directive to the Department of General Services on January 16, his last full day in office, according to a memo obtained by Cardinal News. The memo stated that Moxie Asset Group, LLC, offered $3.25 million and few contingencies. The memo referred to the offer as the most competitive bid of those seeking to purchase the property.
“Other offers were materially lower in value or introduced extended due diligence periods, rezoning or resale contingencies, financing uncertainty, or other executive risks,” Youngkin’s memo read.
It’s unclear if Moxie has any connection with ICE.
Spanberger’s memo to the Department of General Services on Wednesday noted that the sale of the Augusta Correctional Center had not been finalized.
“Any directives previously issued by the Office of the Governor to the Department of General Services related to the sale of the Augusta Correctional Center and related property are hereby withdrawn and should not be followed,” Spanberger’s memo read.
She directed the department to review all received “offers and contingencies” for the property and to provide recommendations for the sale of the property consistent with Virginia code. Spanberger’s office did not respond when asked why the governor rescinded Youngkin’s directive.
The sale of the correctional facility, located in the town of Craigsville, was ordered by the General Assembly in 2024. The proceeds from the sale are to be deposited into the state’s general fund, according to the statute. The facility is state-owned property, and the governor would need to sign its bill of sale or lease agreement to the buyer.
The level 3 maximum security prison housed 461 inmates and employed 222 people in January 2024 when it was operational. It could house 1,300 inmates at maximum capacity.
Augusta Correctional Center was one of six facilities identified by the ACLU of Virginia as potential immigration detention centers as ICE ramps up its deportation efforts of undocumented immigrants. The Augusta Correctional Center was listed in documents obtained by the ACLU of Virginia through a Freedom of Information Act request to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
“Two different contractors have identified the Augusta Correctional Center as a site for which they would be willing to purchase and run an ICE detention facility,” said Sophia Gregg, senior immigrants’ rights attorney with the ACLU of Virginia.
One of the names of the contractors was redacted in the files obtained by the ACLU; the other is Response AI Solutions, LLC.
“What we do know is ICE has billions of dollars for immigration detention expansion,” Gregg added. “We don’t know what facility they’re going to choose.”
Del. Chris Runion, R-Rockingham County, represents Craigsville — the town where the Augusta Correctional Center is located. He said in an interview on Thursday that he is opposed to the use of the facility as a detention center for undocumented immigrants.
“That rumor has been out in the public sphere since almost the day the facility closed,” he said. “I’ve spent an awful lot of time in Craigsville and I’ve consistently heard from folks, that that was not an industry that they wanted to see in Craigsville for various reasons.”
Runion added that he does not think a detention center is a good long-term economic opportunity for the town. He would prefer to see the facility turned into small businesses, a business incubator, housing or a light manufacturing facility, and added that the infrastructure exists to make those ideas a reality. Regardless, the decision for what to do with the property is up to the local community.
“I am not opposed to ICE doing their job,” Runion said. “It’s the fact that it’s the wrong use in that particular community.”