Latest news with #VirginiaDepartmentofCorrections
The Hill
6 days ago
- The Hill
College behind bars: A Southern strategy that's working
I never imagined that some of my most meaningful work would take place inside prison walls — not as someone serving time, but as an educator working with the Virginia Department of Corrections to expand access to college for incarcerated students. And I can say with confidence: Virginia is getting this right. Across the South, and especially here in the Commonwealth, we are seeing a shift in how education is viewed behind bars. Virginia has become a leader in building real academic opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Through strong coordination, strategic partnerships, and a clear commitment to rehabilitation, the department has helped create college classrooms in spaces where many never thought they would exist. All students enrolled in our programs have already earned their GEDs. From there, students take on rigorous college-level coursework in fields ranging from business and the humanities to technical trades. Many are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Some have struggled in school their entire lives, yet now they are writing essays, completing assignments, and giving final presentations in environments that rely entirely on paper-based materials and in-person teaching, because most facilities do not permit technology. But what they lack in digital tools, these students make up for in determination and discipline. These programs work because they are built on structure, standards, and belief in the potential of people. Students aren't just attending class to pass time. They are earning associate degrees and nationally recognized career and technical education certificates. They are building new skill sets and rediscovering their self-worth in the process. The numbers speak volumes. National research shows that incarcerated individuals who participate in postsecondary education are significantly less likely to return to prison. Virginia's efforts reflect this. Our approach is not soft on accountability, but it's smart on outcomes. We are creating a clearer path from incarceration to contributing meaningfully to society. Much of this is made possible by the Second Chance Pell Grant program, which allows eligible students to attend college without bearing the financial burden. Through the Department of Corrections' support and coordination with institutions like Piedmont Virginia Community College, Southside Virginia Community College, and the University of Virginia, we have built a model that is both practical and effective. And we are still growing. My personal goal is to bring even more colleges into this work and deepen our impact statewide. I have had the honor of sitting in graduation ceremonies inside our correctional centers. I have seen men and women walk across the stage with pride while their families cheer them on. I have watched students train for fields such as HVAC and welding, earning credentials that have led to employment after release. These moments don't just represent academic achievement — they represent transformation, for the individual and for the community waiting for them outside. The Virginia Department of Corrections has created the foundation for this progress by fostering a culture that sees education as a part of reentry, not separate from it. By working across departments, supporting faculty, and removing unnecessary barriers, Virginia is modeling what successful prison education looks like. Still, we need to shift public perception. I often hear people question why someone who is incarcerated should get a college education. My answer is always the same: because it works. Education creates stability. Learning helps people grow and become contributors. And preparing someone for life after prison is always a better investment than preparing them for a return to it. I speak not just as an administrator, but as someone whose own academic journey came with challenges. Growing up with speech and hearing difficulties, I never found school easy. But college gave me structure, purpose, and the confidence to know I could succeed. Now I help ensure that the same opportunity exists for others, many of whom are making the most of it in the hardest environment possible. They are focused, respectful, curious, and committed. They know what's at stake. They show up early, ask questions, support their peers, and turn in their work on time. It's hard not to be inspired by that. This is not just theory. This is happening every day in our facilities. It's not perfect, but it's working. College behind bars is changing lives in Virginia and it's doing so because Virginia is laying the groundwork for second chances rooted in education. College behind bars is more than a concept. In Virginia, it's a strategy that is helping people rebuild their lives, strengthen their families, and return home with more than hope. They return with credentials, skills, and a renewed sense of purpose, and that benefits all of us.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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. 'Biased approach': DC Department of Corrections rejects recent audit report 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
International Business Times
03-05-2025
- International Business Times
MS-13 Gang Members Staying Illegally in the US Stab 3 Correction Officers in Violent Virginia Prison Attack
A group of MS-13 gang members — all of whom are reportedly in the U.S. illegally — allegedly stabbed at least three correctional officers in a violent attack on Friday morning inside a Virginia prison, according to authorities. The violent incident took place around 9:45 a.m. at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, when six inmates — including five linked to the infamous El Salvadoran gang MS-13 — carried out a planned assault on the three correctional officers, the Virginia Department of Corrections said. "Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in the country in the first place," VADOC Director Chad Dotson said in a statement. Mayhem Inside Prison "Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for the more than 8.8 million people across the Commonwealth. This attack is an example of the dangers they face when they show up to work every day. Our officers are heroes, and I commend the team at Wallens Ridge for their swift response," the statement read. All five gang members had previously been found guilty of serious offenses, such as homicide and rape. Officials said that the sixth inmate, a U.S. citizen connected to the Sureño 13 gang, is currently serving a sentence for second-degree murder. Five correctional officers were rushed to outside hospitals after the attack. Three of them — including two who suffered minor injuries while intervening during the ambush — have been discharged, officials confirmed. The other two officers are still hospitalized but are in stable condition. Authorities say the investigation into the incident is still underway. No One Is Safe The brutal stabbing incident comes as national outrage grows over the case of alleged MS-13 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia — who was arrested by ICE in March and deported to El Salvador, even though an immigration judge had granted him protection from deportation. Garcia, 29, was first locked up in the notorious CECOT mega-prison before being transferred to a lower-security facility last month. He has denied any involvement in criminal activity, and his attorney maintains that Garcia has no ties to gang activity. Despite multiple court rulings ordering his return, the Trump administration has pushed back, insisting that Garcia was living in the U.S. illegally and is a member of the violent MS-13 gang. President Trump, who launched nationwide raids to remove undocumented immigrants, officially labeled MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist outfits after declaring a national emergency at the southern border at the start of his second term. Federal authorities say MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha 13, was formed in the late 1980s and early 1990s and has since evolved into one of the country's most feared criminal organizations, known more for its brutal violence than for conventional criminal schemes. In New York, the gang made a strong presence on Long Island, reaching its height around 2015, and left behind a legacy of savage and relentless attacks.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
MS-13 gangbanger illegal aliens accused of stabbing 3 corrections officers in violent Virginia prison attack
Three Virginia corrections officers were hospitalized Friday after an alleged coordinated attack by inmates affiliated with the violent MS-13 gang and another known gang, state Department of Corrections officials said in a statement. The incident took place at approximately 9:45 a.m. at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Wise County. Officials said six inmates were involved in the assault. Five of them are confirmed members of the MS-13 gang, originally from El Salvador, who were in the U.S. illegally. All five had been convicted of violent crimes, including aggravated murder, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and rape. The sixth inmate is a U.S. citizen and a confirmed member of the Sureño 13 gang, serving a sentence for second-degree murder. Graham Mocks Democrats As Trump Dea Nominee Confirms Ms-13 Gang Tattoos "Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in this country in the first place," said Virginia Department of Corrections Director Chad Dotson. Read On The Fox News App "Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for the more than 8.8 million people across the Commonwealth. This attack is an example of the dangers they face when they show up to work every day. Our officers are heroes, and I commend the team at Wallens Ridge for their swift response." Five officers required medical treatment. Three have been discharged, including two who sustained minor injuries while responding to the scene. Two others remain hospitalized in stable condition. White House Deputy Chief Of Staff Rails Against Reporters Over Ms-13, Tda Coverage The incident is under investigation and no additional information has been released. MS-13, short for Mara Salvatrucha, is a transnational criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Known for its extreme violence, the group has expanded into Central America and various regions in the U.S. Law enforcement agencies have linked MS-13 to numerous violent crimes including murder, human trafficking, extortion, and drug distribution. The Trump administration has increased enforcement actions targeting violent MS-13 or Tren de Aragua gang members who have entered the country illegally. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reported hundreds of arrests and deportations of gang-affiliated individuals each year. Federal and state officials have also noted concerns about MS-13 activity within the prison system and its broader implications for public safety. The Virginia Department of Corrections said more information will be shared once the investigation is article source: MS-13 gangbanger illegal aliens accused of stabbing 3 corrections officers in violent Virginia prison attack
New York Post
02-05-2025
- New York Post
MS-13 gangbangers in US illegally allegedly stabbed three Va. correction officers in heinous attack: officials
A group of MS-13 gangbangers — who are in the country illegally — allegedly stabbed three correctional officers in a Friday morning attack inside a Virginia prison, authorities said. Six inmates at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap attacked the officers around 9:45 a.m., according to the Virginia Department of Corrections. Two corrections officers were hospitalized in stable condition, with three others seeking treatment at area hospitals. Advertisement Five of the six inmates involved in the attack are members of the notorious El Salvadoran gang. Each have been convicted of violent crimes, including murder and rape, officials said. The other prisoner, who is serving a sentence for second-degree murder, is an American citizen who is part of the Sureno 13 gang, officials said. 'Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in the country in the first place,' VADOC Director Chad Dotson said in a statement. Advertisement 'Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for the more than 8.8 million people across the Commonwealth. This attack is an example of the dangers they face when they show up to work every day. Our officers are heroes' and I commend the team at Wallens Ridge for their swift response.' The investigation into the attack is ongoing.
