29-05-2025
Virginia hits lowest recidivism rate in the United States, VADOC says
VIRGINIA () — The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) recently hit a milestone, with a new study showing the Commonwealth has the lowest recidivism rate in the country.
VADOC Director Chad Dotson announced Thursday that recent data shows there is a 17.6% three-year reincarceration rate for inmates in state custody.
The FY2020 rate is Virginia's lowest in more than 20 years and an improvement from FY2019, when it was at 19%. VADOC noted that the state has had the lowest or second-lowest recidivism rate in the nation for 12 consecutive years.
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Virginia measures its three-year incarceration rate by waiting at least four years to allow all court information to be received and logged. The rate is then compared to 31 other states that have made their rates publicly available.
'This achievement is a collective win, not just for the dedicated public servants who are devoted to this agency's mission, but for all Virginians,' Dotson said, in part. 'Every single day, the VADOC ensures public safety across the Commonwealth by providing effective incarceration, supervision, and evidence-based reentry services. All three of those components are necessary to ensure that returning Virginians have a strong foundation upon which to build during their reentry journey.'
'As we know, a successful reentry process reduces recidivism and keeps all Virginians safe. I thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this best-in-class recidivism rate possible,' he continued.
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