HD26 - Improving Family and Community Ties of Incarcerated Persons

  • Published: 1993
  • Author: Virginia State Crime Commission
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 429 (Regular Session, 1991)

Executive Summary:
House Joint Resolution 429 (HJR 429), sponsored by Delegate Gladys B. Keating and passed by the 1991 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, requested the Crime Commission to study ties between Virginia's incarcerated population and members of their family and community. The resolution identified community volunteer programs, community-business ties, visiting conditions and policies, telephone communication systems and policies, and commissary practices as specific areas of study and requested inquiry into "other topics of concern to families and community volunteers that could reduce recidivism and improve inmate reentry into the community." (See Appendix A)

Established by Section 9-125 of the Code of Virginia, the Crime Commission's legislative mandate is "to study, report, and make recommendations on all areas of public safety and protection." Section 9-127 of the Code of Virginia provides that "the Commission shall have the duty and power to make such studies and gather information in order to accomplish its purpose, as set forth in section 9-125, and to formulate its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly." Section 9-134 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Commission to "conduct private and public hearings, and to designate a member of the Commission to preside over such hearings."

In fulfilling this legislative mandate, consistent with the directives of HJR 429, the Crime Commission undertook a study of family and community ties of incarcerated persons.