The Virgin Islands Department of Law was established in 1962 as an executive department in the Government of the United States Virgin Islands pursuant to Chapter 8 of Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code. With the passage of Act No. 5265 in 1987, the name was changed from the Virgin Islands Department of Law to the Virgin Islands Department of Justice. Additionally, the passage of Act No. 5265 placed the Bureau of Corrections under the jurisdiction and administration of the Department, where it remained until October 1, 2009.