The Department operates through five specialized divisions, each contributing a unique function within a shared mission of community justice and rehabilitation.

• Alcohol Safety Action Program
• Forensic Behavioral Health
• Pretrial and Local Probation
• Gang and Crime Prevention
• Justice Systems Integration & Strategy Unit

The Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) delivers specialized education and treatment for individuals convicted of DWI, DUI, or related traffic safety offenses. The program focuses on substance abuse intervention, behavior modification, and relapse prevention, while supporting license restoration where applicable. ASAP works in coordination with the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program network to uphold public safety and reduce alcohol-related incidents on Alexandria’s roadways.

The Forensic Behavioral Health Division bridges the justice and behavioral health systems by providing comprehensive clinical services to juveniles and adults involved with the courts. Services include psychological evaluations, competency assessments, treatment planning, and direct therapeutic interventions. The division’s licensed professionals work closely with the judiciary, probation, and community providers to ensure that individuals with mental health needs receive appropriate care, treatment, and ongoing support.

The Pretrial and Local Probation Unit provides court-directed supervision and services that offer safe, structured alternatives to incarceration while supporting informed judicial decision-making. Established under Virginia law, the unit works closely with the courts and the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board to supervise individuals both before and after conviction. Pretrial Services assists judges at the earliest stage by conducting assessments, verifying background information, and making release recommendations, while supervising individuals released on bail to ensure they appear in court and comply with conditions such as reporting, testing, or treatment participation. Local Probation, in turn, supervises individuals convicted of certain misdemeanor and nonviolent offenses, helping them complete court-ordered requirements such as community service, treatment programs, and payment of fines. Across both functions, the unit balances accountability and support—monitoring compliance, reducing risk to public safety, and reporting outcomes to the court—so that successful participants can resolve their cases without further court involvement, while noncompliance is addressed promptly through judicial review.

The Gang Prevention Unit works to reduce and prevent gang involvement by addressing its root causes—particularly among youth who may be vulnerable due to limited support systems—through coordinated, community-based strategies. Guided by a comprehensive approach, the unit collaborates with the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force, City agencies, schools, and nonprofit partners to deliver prevention, intervention, and suppression efforts. These include providing counseling and education programs for at-risk youth, expanding access to mentoring and out-of-school opportunities, supporting anonymous reporting systems to enhance community safety, and offering training and resources to local organizations. The unit also promotes public awareness and early identification of risks such as gang recruitment and human trafficking. Through these efforts, the unit strengthens protective factors for youth, empowers residents to report concerns, and fosters a safer, more resilient community.

The Justice Systems Integration & Strategy Unit serves as the department’s central hub for data, coordination, and system-wide strategy across the local and state justice landscape. The unit is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and translating data related to detention center utilization, shelter care placements, juvenile probation activity, and alternatives to detention. Through this work, the unit provides leadership with actionable insights that inform policy decisions, resource allocation, and operational improvements.

Beyond data analysis, the unit plays a critical role in advancing evidence-based crime prevention strategies and ensuring effective management of prevention-focused grants. It aligns funding, programs, and performance outcomes to maximize impact and accountability.

The unit also functions as a key liaison between city departments and state criminal and juvenile justice agencies, ensuring alignment with state requirements, strengthening partnerships, and improving coordination across systems. By integrating data, strategy, and cross-agency collaboration, the Justice Systems Integration & Strategy Unit enhances transparency, supports informed decision-making, and drives more effective, equitable outcomes for the community.