RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia correctional authorities filed 12 probation violation warrants following Halloween compliance checks targeting sex offenders under community supervision, as the state tightened monitoring measures during celebrations involving children and families.

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) said the violations were identified during checks conducted Saturday night, with four cases reported in each of its Central, Eastern, and Western regions.

The operation, conducted ahead of and during Halloween activities, involved probation and parole officers, state police investigators, and local law enforcement agencies. The department said the measures were intended to reinforce supervision requirements and reduce potential risks to children and families.

VADOC Director Joseph W. Walters praised officers and partner agencies for their involvement, saying their efforts helped support public safety during the holiday weekend.

“Thank you to every one of our Probation & Parole Officers who worked tirelessly to make Halloween weekend a safe and enjoyable experience for all Virginians,” Walters said.

He also acknowledged the role of community and law enforcement partners, describing their assistance as important to the weekend’s operations.

The compliance checks were conducted under an initiative known as “Operation Porch Lights Out,” coordinated by probation and parole district offices and the department’s Sex Offender Programs and Monitoring Unit (SOPMU), working alongside the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Investigative Unit and participating local police agencies.

Under the restrictions communicated to sex offenders on community supervision, individuals were prohibited from decorating their homes for Halloween, distributing candy, or keeping exterior lights on at their residences. They were also placed under curfews and subjected to random home visits.

Those living in localities hosting children’s fall festivals were instructed not to attend the events. Authorities also conducted additional checks on sexually violent offenders under supervision, particularly those whose victims were minors.

Some probation and parole offices implemented a separate initiative, called “Trick Nor Treat,” requiring probationers and parolees to report to designated locations on Halloween night.

The restrictions reflect the additional conditions placed on certain individuals under community supervision during holidays and public events involving children. While the department outlined the measures and reported the resulting violations, its announcement did not specify the nature of the 12 alleged breaches, the identities of those involved or whether the warrants had resulted in arrests or court proceedings.

The department’s approach also comes within the broader responsibilities of probation and parole officers, who monitor compliance with court-ordered conditions while helping individuals transition from incarceration and reintegrate into their communities.

VADOC supervises more than 57,000 probationers and parolees across 43 districts in Virginia. The department also operates a Voice Verification Biometrics Unit and said 469 individuals were participating in its Community Corrections Alternative Program.

The agency said its community supervision work combines monitoring and enforcement with efforts to support individuals in leading more constructive lives and successfully returning to society after incarceration.

Information about Virginia’s probation and parole services is available through the Virginia Department of Corrections.