The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) compiles an annual “Status Report on Inmate Transitional and Reentry Services" to report on the efforts of VADOC and 17 other executive agencies to ensure that inmate’s transition smoothly from incarceration into the community. The report is produced per Item 377 of the 2025 Budget Bill ( https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/get/budget/5130/HB1600/):

B. The secretary shall continue to work with other secretaries to (i) develop services intended to improve the re-entry of offenders from prisons and jails to general society and (ii) enhance the coordination of service delivery to those offenders by all state agencies. The secretary shall provide a status report on actions taken to improve offender transitional and reentry services, as provided in § 2.2-221.1, Code of Virginia, including improvements to the preparation and provision for employment, treatment, and housing opportunities for those being released from incarceration. The report shall be provided to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees no later than November 15 of each year.

VADOC greatly appreciates the contributions of the 18 Virginia agencies in developing this report. Through collaboration, the Commonwealth provides services to inmates, from the time of their arrest to their release into the community, by consistently approaching reentry needs. State agencies assess the status of their programs, services, and collaborative efforts during Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Through their assessment, agencies report on both assets and barriers. Reported barriers include housing and treatment needs as well as issues with funding, participation, and access.

Numerous pre- and post-release strategies were implemented throughout FY2025. Pre-release services focused on mental health, substance abuse treatment, employment, life skills, and education. Post-release services included assistance in acquiring food, housing, transportation, medical health, identification, and employment. The services aim to facilitate an inmate’s seamless reintegration into the Commonwealth.

Addressing reported funding and policy barriers will facilitate seamless reentry services. Successful programs should be identified through evidence-based research and replicated throughout the Commonwealth. Increasing complete and accurate data collection is imperative to assist Virginia in its program evaluation and fidelity measurements of statewide initiatives. This effort will ensure available funds are targeted toward effective programs that meet reentry needs.

Highlights of this year’s efforts and barriers include:

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) had 887 reentering individuals with disabilities who applied for Vocational Rehabilitation services in federal FY2025. Of those, 98.5% were eligible for services, and 287 became successfully employed, at an average hourly wage of $16.60.

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s Community Health and Engagement division coordinates Virginia’s Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (VOSAP) and the Virginia Higher Education Substance Use Advisory Committee (VHESUAC).

This division also offers alcohol education and prevention programs; implements new initiatives of community engagement, community health data, and research; and does community capacity building. Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) launched its new Alcohol Health and Safety Community Dashboards on Virginia ABC’s website and shared the national resource of ‘Talk. They Hear You.’ via public service announcement and social media campaign in FY25.

According to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), State Opioid Response funding of $55.9 million dollars for prevention, treatment and recovery were awarded from 2022 to 2024. These funds enable expansion of substance use disorder programming in Virginia.

Reentry planning begins the first day individuals are under the care of VADOC. As individuals approach their expected release date from correctional facilities, programs are intensified that include citizenship engagement, financial planning, problem solving skills, cognitive restructuring and workforce readiness. A Virginia-specific Reentry Resource Packet and a Reentry Wellness Kit are provided to every inmate releasing from incarceration. The kits contain Naloxone, a medication destroyer pack, harm reduction tools and hygiene items. In addition, District-specific resource guides are also available to assist in the reentry process.

According to State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 data, PAPIS programs provided state funded pre-release services to 1,705 new individuals and 2,079 existing pre-release program participants. In SFY2025, PAPIS programs provided state funded post release services to 2,092 new individuals and 3,888 existing post release program participants.

The GED® 1 to GO campaign, a statewide adult education promotional initiative that the Department of Education launched in 2022, is designed to reengage test takers who lack one test subject completion from earning a GED® credential. Approximately 400 VADOC students were identified on the initial list of test takers with one test “to go," and, as of September 1st, 2025, 64 of those individuals (16%) had earned a GED credential.

The Department of Forestry trained inmates at Patrick Henry CU and Appalachian CCAP in forest fire fighting. Inmates received refresher training for the fall season in early October 2025. Skills learned through this collaborative effort are applicable to many career disciplines.

This state-level interagency effort is dedicated to assessing needs and barriers for returning residents. Efforts are focused on assessing the current needs of returning residents, mapping current resources supporting these individuals, and identifying gaps for this population. Forensic Discharge Planning funds ($1,600,000 starting in FY19, increased to $3,700,800 in FY22) were awarded to the regional and local jails with high percentages of inmates with serious mental illness. Funding was used to create staff positions through the Community Service Boards to provide discharge planning/case management services to individuals being released with SMI. In FY24, 21 CSBs provided forensic discharge planning services in 22 correctional facilities in the Commonwealth.

The Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) notes that many justice-involved veterans cannot access community housing or veteran-specific housing directly on reentry. VDVS continues to partner with VADOC to prioritize veterans experiencing homelessness on community supervision to help connect veterans to housing resources in the community. Justiceinvolved veterans with complex medical and mental health needs face housing barriers due to a lack of long-term care housing options and restrictive long-term care facility policies. In addition, justice involved veterans continue to face barriers to housing due to their criminal and incarceration history.

A dozen court service units across the state have begun the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT Program) as part of the Department of Juvenile Justice’s efforts to guide youth away from gang involvement, criminal activity, and violence. Successful program completion is celebrated with a graduation ceremony, followed by regular group check-in meetings and recreational outings.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) notes that data sharing between DMAS and the DOC has created an efficient eligibility process as the CVIU is able to identify Medicaid enrollees that require a redetermination for incarcerated Medicaid at intake and for changes to their coverage upon release. Collaboration and regular review with VADOC, DMAS, and the CVIU, has allowed the team to continue to improve and address gaps, as well as inefficiencies, in these processes.

Inmates can now leave correctional facilities with an official state identification card from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that will assist them in their transition and reentry into society. As of August 2025, the DMV Connect program has successfully issued around 41,000 ID credentials to inmates leaving VADOC facilities.

Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) collaborates with VADOC to provide training and Registered Apprenticeship programs for inmates seeking licenses in Barbering, Cosmetology, Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical Trades. For Fiscal Year 2025, 88% of all applicants with prior convictions were approved for licensure by DPOR boards.

The Office of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives (OISI) in the Department of Social Services supports a priority to encourage and increase sustainable partnerships between LDSS and Reentry Councils to efficiently and wholly serve returning citizens and their families. FES case managers actively educate and provide justice involved parents with Bonding Program Eligibility Letters (BEL). For Federal Fiscal Year 2025, FES provided parents with 105 BELs. The BEL is a wonderful resource to help people with convictions find and keep a job by providing the employer business insurance.

The Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works) was created in the Virginia Code in 2023 as Virginia’s designated workforce agency. Virginia Works provides workforce guidance, support, and training for individuals and employers. Virginia Works collaborates with the Virginia Department of Corrections to assist reentering citizens with workforce services, just as resume building and job searches. Veterans’ Services staff works with the Department of Labor ETA VETs Program to provide “stand down" services for homeless vets who are ex-inmates. They collaborate with businesses to offer job opportunities and services such as free haircuts, clothing, and personal care supplies.

Several public defender offices in the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission cited housing as a major barrier to successful reentry. When Charlottesville’s largest shelter closed in 2023, most unhoused clients had nowhere to go; while there are plans to convert the shelter to supportive housing, that facility is not slated to be livable until 2025. As a stopgap, the city removed the curfew in a downtown park, allowing unhoused individuals to camp there. The PWOPD helped establish a Drug Treatment Court for Prince William in FY2023, pushing for an equitable and defendant-centered approach to the Court, and the OPD continues as a standing member on the Steering Committee and Advisory Committee, as well as staffing all DTC dockets. The court has expanded from a capacity of 10 in its first year to 30 in FY2025, its third year, and has a target of further increasing capacity in FY2026.

The Department of State Police (VSP) focused on fully reporting criminal history information to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) by notifying agencies of missing or discrepant criminal history information. For FY2025, 18% of records requested could be included on the CHR. VSP is working with a vendor, Voyatek, (formerly GCOM), to design and release a new state-of-the-art Criminal History System in 2026. This new system will add expungement and sealing capabilities. The Department implemented the and Rap Back program, a subscription-based service for continuous monitoring for Fairfax and Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2025. Future role-outs will include additional qualified entities.

As of September 30, 2025, there were 2,334 incarcerated discretionary parole eligible inmates (1,719 of those inmates are currently eligible for discretionary parole, with 615 of them becoming discretionary parole eligible sometime after September 30, 2025). This population includes the 311 parole eligible inmates that were determined eligible per the Fishback legislation (HB33) and the “juvenile at the time of the offense and served over 20 years" legislation (HB35). The Parole Board serves a population of 1,899 geriatric conditional release eligible inmates, many of whom are also discretionary parole eligible. Per Department of Corrections, of the 26,000+ currently incarcerated inmate population, approximately 7,232 of those inmates either are or will become geriatric conditional release eligible during their incarceration. The Parole Board works in cooperation with local probation and parole offices to ensure public safety and to respond quickly to warrant requests.

Adult Protective Services Division

The Adult Protective Services Division (APSD) oversees local departments of social services Adult Services (AS), and Adult Protective Services (APS) activities. APSD also develops and interprets law, regulation, and policy for these programs. APSD regional consultants provide direct consultation, training, and technical assistance to local AS/APS units. Home office and regional APSD staff participate in the following prisoner re-entry efforts:

• Provide information and consultation to VADOC re-entry staff on services and supports that may be available to re-entering prisoners, with the understanding that AS/APS programs do not provide housing.

• Work with re-entry staff and other agencies to clarify and expedite applications, screenings, and documentation for eligibility for Medicaid, AS, AG, long-term care and other benefits and supports.

• Provide information to local departments on prisoner re-entry, as well as their responsibilities and options in working with re-entering inmates.

• Monitor cases which involve special-needs inmates and provide consultation and technical assistance to local AS and APS involved.

• Act as liaison between local AS/APS workers and VADOC release and re-entry staff on challenging cases, including confined inmates with special needs.

• Advocate for the safety and health of special-needs inmates and the safety and security of the communities where they wish to locate

Pre-Release Services

DARS vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors from across the Commonwealth continued their active involvement in local Re-entry Councils and workgroups throughout 2024, offering expertise on employment services for justice-involved individuals with disabilities. Although the statewide Reentry Task Force concluded its meetings following the successful launch of Group Intake and the issuance of Executive Order No. 36, DARS’ commitment to supporting returning citizens remains strong and ongoing.

DARS maintains a close partnership with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) PreRelease Centers, providing information on VR eligibility and connecting facilities with local DARS Field Offices. The VR program continues to offer Federal Fidelity Bonding for consumers who require bonding as a condition of employment. Additionally, DARS leverages the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), On-the-Job Training (OJT), and both paid and unpaid internships to promote employment opportunities for justice-involved individuals.

Throughout 2025, DARS staff have remained engaged in organizing and participating in community resource fairs and second chance job fairs, which promote employment access and connect returning citizens with vital community resources.

DARS remains a key partner in the Reentry Optimization Initiative, a collaborative effort led by the Governor’s Office, the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), VADOC, and DARS. This initiative continues through pilot projects designed to improve training and employment outcomes for returning citizens. These projects include access to industry-recognized training and credentials, apprenticeship pathways (e.g., with the Department of General Services), Peer Recovery Specialist opportunities, and rapid engagement for individuals receiving Social Security benefits.

Group Intake sessions continue to be held in Probation and Parole offices statewide. DARS staff attend these sessions to present services and eligibility information, accept referrals on-site, and complete initial VR applications for new parolees.

Under Executive Order No. 36 (STAND TALL – STAY STRONG – SUCCEED TOGETHER Reentry Initiative), the Virginia Works/DARS partnership with VADOC Probation & Parole continues to strengthen supervisee referrals and increase utilization of workforce readiness, training, and job placement services upon reentry.

Disability Determination Services (DDS) continues to participate in the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Program in all regions of the Commonwealth. This program was designed to assist homeless individuals with severe mental, physical or a combination of both impairments to gain access to mainstream benefits such as Social Security and Medicaid. It is believed that this program benefits those with criminal backgrounds, but our current record keeping system does not allow us to substantiate this type of impact at this point. A total of 94 applications under the SOAR program were processed for State Fiscal Year 2025, with 70 claims approved.

DDS has maintained the cooperative agreement with the Department of Corrections which identified and formalized procedures that facilitated the timely entitlement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for disabled and aged inmates of the Virginia Department of Corrections system. These prerelease application procedures were implemented throughout the Commonwealth and allowed inmates to file for SSI benefits prior to their release, providing for a smoother transition back into the community. These pre-release procedures apply to the initial determination only and are not used during any appeals processes. A total of 160 inmates, who were pending release, had their applications processed during State Fiscal Year 2025. Additional information on the DDS SOAR and Pre-release programs can be obtained by contacting Danita Scherff, DDS Chief of Staff, at Danita.Scherff@ssa.gov.

Employment/Job Training

DARS had 1,115 ex-offenders with disabilities who applied for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services in federal fiscal year 2023. Of these applicants, 89% (n= 988) were found eligible for services. DARS spent a total of $393,512.67 on ex-offenders in FFY23 with an average of $21,527.76 per case. The services provided ranged from job training and job development to purchasing uniforms and equipment enabling these ex-offenders to start employment. Two hundred and fifty-seven ex-offenders with disabilities became successfully employed after receiving VR services throughout 2023. The average hourly wage for those employed after closure from DARS was $15.04 in 2023. The average hours worked per week was 32.3 hours.