The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is committed to public safety through its mission and operations that foster growth and development for those under our supervision, further promoting family reintegration in intensive reentry programs and throughout the Department. VADOC has numerous programs and services that are developed to assist in the successful reintegration of inmates with their families and particularly, their minor children. The VADOC recognizes that family reintegration enhances the quality of life for inmates prior to release and once the inmate has transitioned to the community. There is also a direct correlation between family reintegration, motivation for change, a decrease in recidivism, and crime victimization.

A primary focus of reentry is to reduce potential barriers for post release success. Beyond the direct impact of enhancing public safety, the Department acknowledges the positive effect these efforts have on the lives of the spouses or the caregiver of their child, and most particularly, the children of inmates. Engagement in parenting programs helps participants develop pro-fathering and pro-mothering attitudes, knowledge and skills, improve incarcerated parents’ relationships with their children and the father/mother of their children (or main caregiver of their children) and develop a plan for successfully reentering the lives of their children and family upon release. In addition, reestablishing healthy family relationships helps prevent the next generation from following in their parent’s footsteps into a life of criminal activity. The following provides a snapshot of the Department’s efforts to enhance family integration services for those under our care.