FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 22, 2025

 

Common-Sense Reforms Would Strengthen Public Safety and Support Law Enforcement Priorities

Legislation builds upon the foundation of Governor Youngkin’s “Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together” Executive Order to reduce recidivism

(Richmond, VA) – REFORM Alliance celebrates the final passage of HB 2252 and SB 936, which passed with a supermajority in the House and unanimously in the Senate. The bills now head to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk.

HB 2252 and SB 936 are evidence-based legislation designed to increase success rates among people on probation by allowing individuals to earn modest reductions in their probation terms for completing milestones that demonstrate meaningful progress toward rehabilitation, including:

  • Securing steady employment (30+ hours per week)
  • Completing an educational milestone or vocational certification
  • Participating in certified mental healthcare or substance use treatment programs
  • Securing stable housing and maintaining health insurance coverage

Virginia’s probation system supervises more than 53,000 individuals—more than double the Commonwealth’s prison population—and plays a critical role in reentry and public safety. Freeing people from supervision, once they’ve clearly demonstrated responsibility and progress, would reduce probation officer caseloads and allow officers to focus on individuals who pose a higher risk. Data from states like Missouri, South Carolina, and Florida that have passed similar incentive-based reforms show that these provisions reduce violations, lower recidivism, and save taxpayers money—all while keeping communities safe.

Endorsed by the Virginia Safety Coalition – a bipartisan group of over 50 organizations across the Commonwealth, including REFORM Alliance, Americans for Prosperity Virginia, CPAC, Right on Crime, FailSafe-ERA, and Virginia Interfaith – this legislation builds on Virginia’s longstanding reputation for smart-on-crime policymaking. Governor Youngkin’s “Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together” executive order reinforces education, employment, housing, treatment, and healthcare as critical to successful reentry post-incarceration. HB 2252 and SB 936 extend these proven principles to ensure that all Virginians on probation are given the opportunity to build a better future.

“HB 2252 and SB 936 are a shining example of common sense, conservative policymaking,” said House Patron of HB 2252, Delegate Wren Williams (R-Patrick). “By rewarding personal accountability, these reforms empower our law enforcement professionals to concentrate on high-risk cases while streamlining the probation system. I’m proud to support a policy that not only secures our communities but also gives hardworking individuals a real chance to rebuild their lives.”

“This legislation is common sense, and will make a real difference for Virginians,”  said Senate Patron of SB 936, Senator Christie New Craig (R-Chesapeake). “It rewards personal responsibility and helps probation officers focus on those who need the most supervision. I’m proud to help move forward a common-sense vision for second chances that makes Virginia stronger, safer, and more prosperous, while saving taxpayer dollars.”

“Our probation officers face long hours, personal risk, and overwhelming caseloads,” said Rich Goszka, Staff Representative of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association. “They deserve a system that enables them to achieve their mission of Public Safety First. That’s why we have been in full support of HB 2252 and SB 936. These bills give our officers the capacity to focus on those high-risk cases so they can safeguard our neighborhoods.” 

“This legislation will allow our probation officers to take a more proactive approach to preventing crime before it takes root,” said Don Baylor, Director of Organizing at the National Coalition of Public Safety Officers. “We have seen an influx of higher-risk cases, such as those involving gang-affiliated individuals and people who require intensive GPS monitoring. Meanwhile, our probation officers are overburdened and understaffed. This would allow us to prioritize our public safety resources where they are needed most – and give people a real opportunity to rebuild their lives.”

“This is a monumental step forward for Virginia,” said Erin Haney, Chief Policy Officer of REFORM Alliance. “The evidence behind HB 2252 and SB 936 is clear: when individuals secure steady employment, complete treatment, or earn educational and vocational credentials, their chance of reoffending drops significantly. That means lives redirected away from crime and toward building better futures for themselves and their families. Virginia has long been a national leader in smart, public safety solutions and this legislation builds on that success.”

“Virginia is poised to make smart, conservative-led supervision reforms into law, making communities across the Commonwealth safer,” said Jessica Jackson, CEO of REFORM Alliance. “HB 2252 and SB 936 are the result of an incredible coalition coming together – frontline law enforcement, prosecutors, individuals on supervision, employers, and smart-on-crime experts – the folks who know our criminal justice system best from every angle, and their expertise will ensure that this solution works for every Virginian.”

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About REFORM:

REFORM Alliance is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. Our goal is to replace America’s punitive criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation, making families and communities safer and stronger. Since its founding, REFORM Alliance has passed 18 bipartisan bills in 11 states, creating pathways for more than 850,000 people to exit the system.  For more information, visit https://reformalliance.com

About the Virginia Safety Coalition:

The Virginia Safety Coalition is a diverse, bipartisan coalition of leaders, experts, impacted individuals, and advocacy organizations. We are committed to improving public safety, decreasing recidivism, and advancing equity and efficiency in our courts by making common-sense improvements to Virginia’s supervision systems and increasing access to meaningful second chances. For more information, visit https://vasafetycoalition.com/

MEDIA CONTACT:

info@reformalliance.com