Gov’t and Community Leaders Work to Stop Revolving Door of Crime

Out4Life Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative Examines Ways to Maximize Public Safety and Save Taxpayer Dollars

RICHMOND, Va., July 28, 2010— Each year nationwide 700,000 people are released from prison to return to our communities.¹ In Virginia, more than 13,000 prisoners are released every year.² Sadly, all across America, too many of these men and women return to prison within months.  In Virginia, one of every three inmates released is back behind bars after three years.³  As a result, public safety is compromised and taxpayers are hit hard to foot the bill. 

Research and pilot programs here in Virginia and across the country indicate that if inmates are prepared for release and assisted when they return to our communities, many more of them will become productive members of society and save taxpayer dollars.

July 26-28 in Richmond, Prison Fellowship-the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families-in partnership with various agencies in Virginia will host Out4Life, a re-entry conference bringing together members of Virginia's government, businesses, social services and faith communities to tackle the state's re-entry issues.  The goal is to assist in building local coalitions in those areas of the state where the vast majority of inmates return.  These coalitions can help released inmates find steady jobs, adequate housing, substance-abuse treatment and supportive relationships to help them establish a productive, law-abiding life.  Aiding released offenders is necessary to keep the public safe and to save taxpayer dollars.

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WHO:  Prison Fellowship, the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-offenders and their families, in partnership with various agencies in Virginia

WHAT:   Virginia Out4Life re-entry conference to tackle offender re-entry issues such as employment, addiction treatment, public safety, family issues, special needs of children of prisoners and the importance of building re-entry networks

WHEN:  July 26-28

WHERE:  Sheraton Park South Hotel
                 9901 Midlothian Turnpike
             Richmond, VA 23235
             804.323.1144

REGISTER:  Visit Out4Life.com or call 877.478.0100.  All Out4Life attendees may participate in a marketplace exhibit center with booths and displays about their re-entry support services and assistance 

DETAILS:         Schedule

INTERVIEWS:

• Former Virginia Attorney General and Prison Fellowship President and CEO Mark Earley

 

• Virginia ex-offender Bryon Roth who spent 5 years in prison for multiple charges and now mentors other ex-offenders upon their release.

 

Virginia is the tenth state to launch Out4Life.  Re-entry movements are already underway in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas.

¹ Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2007

² Virginia Department of Corrections

³ Virginia Department of Corrections

 

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Quotes

Former Virginia Attorney General and Prison Fellowship President and CEO Mark Earley

• "Volunteer efforts to assist inmates and families are key to reducing crime and saving taxpayers' money."

 

Prison Fellowship Executive Director Paul Stock

• "Virginia's Governor McDonnell has made re-entry a top priority for public safety. Our goal is to help develop a large community-based effort to make it easier for inmates to succeed."  

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Bio

Mark Earley is the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship and a former state Senator and Attorney General of Virginia.

For more information, view the full bio.

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About Prison Fellowship

Prison Fellowship is the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families.  For more information, view the full press kit. 

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