Governor McDonnell Unveils Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative
Press Conference
At a press conference this morning, Governor McDonnell announced his initiatives to strengthen the prisoner re-entry program in Virginia, thus increasing safety in communities and neighborhoods and lessening the chances of recidivism. The Governor was joined by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, State Senators Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) and Dave Marsden (D-Burke), Delegates Tommy Wright (R-Victoria) and Mark Keam (D-Vienna), and other state and local officials at today's event. As a part of this initiative, the Governor issued Executive Order #11 that establishes the Virginia Prisoner and Juvenile Offender Re-Entry Council, with the intent to promote collaborative re-entry strategies for adult and juvenile offenders. The Governor also signed two pieces of public safety legislation during the press conference which will divert non-violent offenders from incarceration and assist prisoners in working off court costs accrued. Both as a delegate for 14 years and as Attorney General, Governor McDonnell was a champion for public safety and the rehabilitation of offenders before and after their release. He was a patron or co-patron of several pieces of legislation to improve the likihood of offenders becoming productive members of society.
Speaking about the initiative, Governor McDonnell remarked, "As Governor, and throughout my career in public service, my number one priority has been, and continues to be to ensure the safety of Virginians and to find ways to make Virginia a safer place to live, work and raise a family. Effective re-entry policies can improve public safety, reduce victimization, improve outcomes for offenders returning to their communities, and reduce recidivism. We must assist prisoners re-entering the community in their effort to succeed, rather to re-offend."
The Governor continued by saying, "This Council established today is a state-wide effort. We must recognize the efforts of non-profit and faith-based organizations, as well as local governments, who have been integral in this cause, and find ways to support them as they continue to provide opportunities to offenders to facilitate successful community re-integration. By implementing a comprehensive re-entry strategy, this Council will take the necessary steps to ensure that we are doing all we can do to assist offenders who have accepted responsibility for their actions and want to become productive members of society."
Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli added, "Individual re-entry plans that recognize some individuals' need for mental health treatment are important to me. I look forward to working with the Governor to design and implement a re-entry program that will improve the lives of adult and juvenile offenders, as well as the safety of our communities."
The Virginia Prisoner and Juvenile Offender Re-Entry Council will identify existing barriers that impede successful transition of offenders returning to their communities and develop and implement recommend actions to overcome those obstacles. Additionally, the Council will establish partnerships among community colleges, business partners, local service agencies, community-based social service and faith-based communities to promote successful re-entry policies and programs. Each year, the Council will provide the Governor with recommendations and updates regarding actions taken to improve offender transitional and re-entry services. Banci Tewolde, the state's first Prisoner Re-Entry Coordinator, will join Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker in leading the Council.
*Executive Order #11 can be found here: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Issues/ExecutiveOrders/2010/EO-11.cfm
Public Safety Legislation Signed by Governor McDonnell:
SB 670 (McDougle) - Payment of fines and costs by DOC inmates
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+sum+sb670
HB 927 (R Bell) - Immediate sanction probation
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+sum+hb927
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