Prisoner Re-Entry Movement Convenes Va. Leaders to Increase Public Safety & Lower Corrections Costs

RICHMOND, Va., July 7, 2010— More than 129,000 people are under correctional supervision in the state of Virginia.¹ The Virginia Department of Corrections expects more than 13,000 prisoners to be released this coming year, and more than half of these of released prisoners will return to prison within three years.² 

July 25-28, hundreds of Virginia government, community and faith leaders will gather at Out4Life Virginia to discuss reducing recidivism and the $1.25 billion spent each year on corrections in Virginia.¹  Successful re-entry is the answer according to Out4Life organizers, which include Prison Fellowship-the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families-Virginia Department of Corrections and the Virginia Department of Social Services.  Out4Life will address the keys to ex-prisoners' successful re-entry including the ability to find jobs, locate housing, obtain needed social services and mentors.

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WHAT:  Launch of the Out4Life Virginia re-entry movement to tackle prisoner re-entry issues.  The goal of Out4Life Virginia is to establish local coalitions in areas including, Tidewater, Richmond, Roanoke, Northern Virginia and Danville/Martinsville to help released prisoners find steady jobs, adequate housing, substance-abuse treatment and supportive relationships to keep them from returning to prison.

WHO:  In partnership with the Virginia Department of Corrections and Virginia Department of Social Services, Prison Fellowship-the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families-will host Out4Life Virginia.  The launch event will feature speakers including:

• Prison Fellowship Virginia Director Joyce Minor
• Prison Fellowship President and CEO Mark Earley
• Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker
• Virginia Department of Corrections Director Gene Johnson
• Montgomery County (Md.) Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, Chief Stefan LoBuglio
• Virginia's Prisoner Re-entry Coordinator Banci Tewolde
  

 

 

Workshops will delve into topics such as employment, housing, education, addiction treatment, public safety, family issues, special needs of veteran and women prisoners, and the importance of establishing re-entry networks.

WHEN:  July 25-28

WHERE:  Sheraton Park South Hotel
              9901 Midlothian Turnpike
              Richmond, VA 23235
              804.323.1144

DETAILS:  Schedule

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Any organization or individual who would like to work together to address practical barriers to prisoner re-entry and offer strategies to reduce prisoner recidivism is invited to attend.  All attendees may participate in a marketplace exhibit center with booths and displays about their re-entry support services and assistance.

REGISTER:  www.Out4Life.com

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Virginia is the tenth state to launch Out4Life.  Re-entry movements are already underway in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona and Ohio.

¹ Pew Center on the States
² Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2002

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