Virginia

VIRGINIA

If you share our vision for a justice system that restores those impacted by crime and incarceration, please join our growing network of advocates. Together we can inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice reform.

SHARE YOUR STORY

With more than 45 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that recognize the value and potential of every person. We promote reforms that help transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and create safer communities through proportional punishment, constructive corrections culture, and second chances.

In recent years, the Virginia General Assembly has headed the call for justice that restores by approving legislation to reduce unjust driver’s license suspensions, acknowledge the dignity of pregnant prisoners and their unborn children, improve policing practices, and enhance earned sentence credit opportunities to people behind bars. Additionally, Virginia governors from both parties have used executive powers to restore voting rights to thousands of formerly incarcerated people over the last decade.

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WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

TELL YOUR STORY

Have you or a loved one been involved in the justice system? One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.


SHARE

LEARN MORE

Hear how our communities stand to benefit when voting rights are restored to returning citizens.


WATCH

ADVOCATE

We’re seeking Justice Ambassadors to build relationships with their state legislators, organize events, and promote justice reform.


APPLY

YOUR STATE STATISTICS

23.3K Adults in Prison

201 Minors in Juvenile Facilities

56.4K Adults on Probation

1.9K Adults on Parole

$40.7K Cost of Incarceration Per Adult Prisoner

$185.4K Cost of Incarceration Per Juvenile

Governor: Republican

Senate: Democratic

House: Republican

In Session: January 11 – February 25

PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN VIRGINIA

Prison Fellowship’s victories in Virginia include working with Gov. McDonnell in 2013 to restore civil rights to certain people who have completed their sentence. The same year, Prison Fellowship worked with a broad coalition to pass regulations in Virginia that protect incarcerated women from being unnecessarily shackled during pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, Prison Fellowship has been a champion for juvenile justice, contributing to an increase in community-based services and the closing of juvenile corrections centers. Since 2021, Prison Fellowship has garnered support for a constitutional amendment that would create a consistent voting rights restoration policy for people who have left prison. We also spearheaded legislation to ease the pathway back to work for people with a criminal record. We look forward to carrying on this work.

SIGN THE JUSTICE DECLARATION!

Grounded in biblical values and signed by more than 12,000 Christians and prominent faith leaders, the Justice Declaration is a call to the Church to deploy its unique and unparalleled capacity to respond to crime and overincarceration.

SIGN THE DECLARATION=

IN THE NEWS

RAISE YOUR VOICE

We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be effective tools to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores. Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today!

FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM OPPORTUNITIES

Prison Fellowship has been active on Capitol Hill for decades, lobbying the Administration and Congress to support groundbreaking reforms to make communities safer, respect victims, and transform lives. No matter what state you call home, you can be part of our federal justice reform campaigns!

ENSURING PROPORTIONAL PUNISHMENT

The FIRST STEP Act was passed to reduce disproportional drug offenses and allow earn time credits to be awarded for program participation. Contact lawmakers to request they fully implement the law and maximize its potential!

TAKE ACTION

ADVANCING CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON CULTURE

Studies have revealed that participation in education programs during incarceration has resulted in a 43% lower recidivism rate. Encourage lawmakers to restore Pell Grant access behind bars to offer hope and higher education to incarcerated men and women.

TAKE ACTION

UNLOCKING
SECOND CHANCES

The Fair Chance Act allows formerly incarcerated individuals to show their talents, skills, & commitment to personal growth as they compete in labor markets. Ask lawmakers to support second chances through this thoughtful approach to criminal justice.

TAKE ACTION

*Statistics generated from reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons 2000-2011; Probation and Parole in the United States (2013);Prisoners in 2013, Vera Institute of Justice (The Price of Prisons), 2010 Census, Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Provention 2011 and various department of corrections' websites.