RICHMOND, VA- The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICCP) commends
Governor Youngkin on his executive order engaging a multiagency, strategic collaboration to increase
the likelihood of reentry success among Virginians released from incarceration, with the related benefits
of increasing public safety and reducing recidivism.
VICPP supports data-driven efforts to ensure successful re-entry and applauds the Virginia
Department of Corrections (VADOC) for pursuing evidence-based approaches in educational and other
rehabilitative programming and services.
“The Executive Order signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin opens the door to expanded
pathways to reduce recidivism in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The expansion of access to
Virginia’s Community Colleges and intentional efforts to stimulate workforce readiness are
hallmarks of striving to build systems of restorative justice,” said Rev. Dr. Linwood Blizzard, a board
member of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. “We must support returning citizens by
opening our arms and our doors to their success. Let us lead towards the vision of a more
perfect union”
VICPP is the convenor of the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison, which engages in
public awareness- and multi-sector consensus-building on behalf of access to higher education in all
Virginia prisons, building upon opportunities created by Pell grant reinstatement and federal grant
programs for technology access for incarcerated individuals.
“The multigenerational benefits to families and communities across Virginia, as more
incarcerated parents’ model advanced educational attainment will last, side-by-side with public safety
outcomes, as this executive order expands opportunities for incarcerated Virginians to prove their
capacity for growth and transformation.” said Dr. Terri Erwin, Director of Virginia Consensus for Higher
Education in Prison. “These are faith-based values we are pleased to recognize at the hopeful core of
this executive order.”
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, racial, social, and
environmental justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and
action. VICPP is a non-partisan coalition of more than 700 faith communities
working for a more just society.
Virginiainterfaithcenter.org
VICPP advocates criminal justice reform policies and programs designed to reduce the
criminalization of poverty, reduce mass incarceration, reduce recidivism and treat all people who are
incarcerated with respect and dignity.
END
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, racial, social, and
environmental justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and
action. VICPP is a non-partisan coalition of more than 700 faith communities
working for a more just society.
Virginiainterfaithcenter.org