At the 1972 Session of the General Assembly, the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council was directed to study the system of planning for and delivery of services to youthful off enders and the need for improvements to the probation and parole system, for all off enders. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 133.

Your Council appointed Senator Lawrence Douglas Wilder, of Richmond, to act as Chairman of the study. Senator Wilder, with the approval of your Council, appointed the following persons to serve as members of the Committee: Mr. France M. Brinkley of Richmond; Mrs. Virginia Crockford of Richmond; Mrs. Margaret Dungee of Glen Allen; Delegate Wyatt B. Durrette, Jr., of Falls Church; Senator William E. Fears of Accomac; Mr. Anthony C. Gaudio of Arlington; Mr. Leonard W. Lambert of Richmond; Reverend J. Fletcher Lowe, Jr., of Richmond; Senator William V. Rawlings of Capron; and Senator Stanley C. Walker of Norfolk.

The Committee held its initial meeting on August 8, 1972. At this meeting, Delegate Wyatt B. Durrette, Jr., was elected Vice Chairman of the Committee. The Committee has met on a regular basis, since that date, to pursue its study.