Our Priorities

Criminal Justice Reform

Building a justice system rooted in compassion and equity.

Prioritizing Humanity, Fairness, and Safety For All

At Virginia Interfaith Center, we believe in a justice system that prioritizes humanity, fairness, and safety for all. By ending mass incarceration and reforming outdated, harmful practices, we can strengthen families, restore communities, and create a more equitable Commonwealth. From improving conditions inside prisons to expanding opportunities for education and re-entry, we work alongside partners and advocates to build a system centered on dignity and justice.

Higher Education in Prison

We are part of the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison, a multi-sector coalition focused on expanding access to college education for Virginians during incarceration and upon return home. Education has been shown to promote personal growth and support meaningful career success.

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Conditions of Incarceration

Mass incarceration is a serious issue in the United States that negatively impacts families and communities, disproportionately impacting the poor and communities of color. We are committed to reforming prison practices rooted in racism and white supremacy, and to improve conditions for all those incarcerated in Virginia.

Recent Efforts

We’ve been part of historic wins in Virginia, including:

Death Penalty Abolition (2021)

Virginia has executed more people in history than any other state in history, and this punishment was deeply linked to racism and injustice. After years of advocacy and partnership with Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, we were a key part of abolishing the death penalty in Virginia in 2021.

Solitary Confinement Reform (2023)

Solitary confinement is the isolation of a person in a jail or prison cell for all or nearly all day with little environmental stimulation or opportunity for human interaction. Solitary confinement in Virginia is considered 20 hours per day in isolation away from the rest of the prison population for adults, and 17 hours a day for juvenile offenders. We passed a bill for modest reform in 2023.

Limiting the Use of Attack Dogs (2024)

Virginia’s prisons use attack dogs to subdue and intimidate incarcerated people in ways that are unnecessary, dangerous and barbaric. In 2024, we passed a bill limiting this practice.

Ending the Indiscriminate Use of Youth Shackling (2025)

In 2025, Virginia was one of eleven states that was still indiscriminately shackling youth. Young people are routinely shackled as they are transported to and from court proceedings, often through hallways in front of their families. In 2025, we passed a bill that creates a presumption against youth shackling and allows the judge to make individualized assessments.