VA Health Districts Partner with Jail to Improve Inmate Health Literacy

VA Dept of Health Newsroom

Published March 16th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Virginia Department of Health's Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts have partnered with the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail to offer an eight-week health literacy program to incarcerated individuals. This initiative aims to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for those re-entering the community.

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What changed

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), through its Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD), has formalized a partnership with the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail (VPRJ) to deliver a health literacy education program to incarcerated individuals. Launched in June 2025, the program has already served 88 individuals, covering topics such as nutrition, medication management, health insurance navigation, and substance use recognition. This initiative is part of the VPRJ's 'We Are All In This Together (WAITT)' program and aims to address health disparities by empowering inmates with knowledge for better health management both during incarceration and upon re-entry.

This partnership is a proactive measure by the HPHD to bridge gaps in community health services and improve health outcomes for a vulnerable population. The program's success has led to individuals seeking further community health services post-release, including substance use and recovery programs. The VDH highlights this collaboration as a strategy to reduce recidivism by enhancing prevention, building trust, and connecting individuals to necessary services, ultimately improving their long-term health and social needs.

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March 16, 2026

Media Contact: Tes La Dieu, Population Health Manager
(757) 594-7411

Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts Partner with Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail to Improve Health Literacy for Incarcerated Individuals

WILLIAMSBURG, Va – The Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD) and the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail (VPRJ) have launched a partnership to provide health literacy for jailed individuals through an eight-week education program.

The partnership began in June 2025 when the HPHD held its first Health Literacy class in the jail’s “We Are All In This Together (WAITT)” program. Since then, 88 jailed individuals have completed the course.

The course covers 17 topics including, but not limited to:

Nutrition
Scheduling doctor’s appointments
Medication management
Navigating health insurance
Understanding health technology and apps
Sexual and reproductive health
Exercise
Workforce development
Opioid overdose recognition and response Following the success of the first graduating Health Literacy class, the HPHD and the VPRJ formalized their partnership and have begun collaborating on other initiatives.

“This is an exciting partnership between our two agencies,” said HPHD Director, Dr. Natasha Dwamena. “Low health literacy is a key driver of health disparities, which impacts our most vulnerable communities, leading to increased chronic disease, higher mortality rates, and greater healthcare costs. The HPHD helps bridge the gap between the VPRJ and community health services, increasing engagement in care.”

The partnership extends beyond the jail’s walls. After graduating from the program, several individuals reached out to health department staff members to access substance use and recovery programs, workforce development and other health services.

“We are proud of our WAITT program and the opportunities we can provide to the population we serve,” said the VPRJ’s Superintendent, Colonel Roy Witham. “By incorporating public health education and services into the WAITT Program, we can support our population by empowering them with the knowledge they need to take care of their health and support their social needs, while in jail and beyond.”

HPHD leaders say the collaboration highlights the importance of starting re-entry preparation early.

“By establishing community-based programming at the VPRJ, our ongoing goal is to reduce recidivism rates by enhancing prevention, increasing trust, and bridging gaps to services,” said Dr. Natasha Dwamena.

The program will help individuals develop the skills they need to manage chronic conditions, access preventative care and recognize health emergencies. Empowering them to make informed decisions and improving health outcomes as they re-enter the community.