RICHMOND, VA – (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) Similar to his Executive Order banning cell phones from schools, Governor Youngkin has now turned his attention to the challenge of recidivism, or repeat crime, in Virginia. He has issued Executive Order No. 36 with a new plan that engages a number of state agencies, service providers and stakeholders in a multi-pronged plan to reduce the number of former inmates returning to prison in the state. WINA Morning News discussed the Executive Order (audio below) and the full press release is below.

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today issued Executive Order 36, officially launching the Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together (“Stand Tall”) initiative, the nation’s first proactive, dynamic, data-driven, comprehensive, cross-government approach to support successful community reintegration and prevent recidivism.

“Every single returning Virginian has the opportunity to be a testament of hope or a recidivism statistic. Today I introduced the Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together initiative, a comprehensive initiative to help these Virginians succeed. The Stand Tall Initiative Executive Order formalizes the work we have been doing since April of last year that has resulted in over 3,000 more returning Virginians gaining employment and over 7,000 more gaining health insurance. Our approach is proactive, measuring the achievement of key success metrics and strategically deploying state resources through interagency partnerships. We want more testimonies of hope in Virginia and that is exactly what the Stand Tall Initiative is all about.” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“Our focus must be on supporting the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin“By expanding assessments, improving treatment programs and fostering strong partnerships, we aim to provide the resources necessary for successful reintegration and a healthier future.”

“Employment is more than just a second chance for returning citizens – it is a cornerstone of public safety and community well-being,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares“We must continue to improve the reintegration process because effective reintegration is not just a matter of reparations – it is critical to keeping Virginia safe and strong.”

“Our government’s commitment to prisoner reintegration could be summed up as follows: We believe that people deserve a chance to rebuild their lives,” said Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears“In this way, we give the population new hope, reunite families and change their fate for the better.”

“Since taking over the leadership of the Department of Corrections less than a year ago, Judge Chad Dotson and his team have consistently made the safety and well-being of correctional staff and inmates a priority as part of VADOC’s core mission,” said Minister of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole. “Despite numerous challenges, Judge Dotson has continued to develop innovative and enhanced programs for those returning to society to ensure they are law-abiding citizens upon release. I am grateful for the efforts of the entire VADOC team and for Governor Youngkin’s leadership in supporting our men and women in law enforcement.”

“Public safety is our highest priority,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson“Ensuring successful reintegration creates long-term, sustainable public safety in our communities. Virginia already has the best parole officers in America, and I am pleased that the partnerships forged through this effort will give our dedicated team even more tools.”

Each year in Virginia, approximately 10,000 adults and juveniles are released from prison and placed on probation. 50,000 released citizens are simultaneously supervised by the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) and remain on probation for an average of three years. Unfortunately, one in two released citizens is rearrested and convicted of a crime within three years of release, and more than half of our prison population was previously incarcerated.

The success of reintegration depends primarily on the effective support and individual commitment of returning citizens. Any failure represents a missed opportunity for Virginians to reach their full potential.

The Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together initiative contributes to successful reintegration into society by addressing employment, benefit receipt, reintegration programs, parenting and public safety efforts.

The Executive Order formalizes and builds on the Governor’s efforts to transform community reintegration that began in April 2023.

The full implementing regulation can be found below:

https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/eo/EO-36-Establishing-The-Stand-Tall – Stay-Strong – Succeed-Together-Reenetry-Initiative – FINAL.pdf