REFORM Alliance, Law Enforcement Leaders, and Bipartisan Support Drove the Effort Forward

Richmond, VA – Today, Governor Youngkin announced amendments to House Bill 2252 and Senate Bill 936, bipartisan legislation modernizing the Commonwealth’s probation system through smart incentives for rehabilitation that mirror his Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together Executive Order.

Patroned by Delegate Wren Williams (R-Patrick) and Delegate Katrina Callsen (D-Charlottesville) in the House and Senator Christie New Craig (R-Virginia Beach) and Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) in the Senate, the legislation enables people on probation to earn modest reductions in their supervision terms by achieving milestones proven to reduce crime, such as maintaining steady employment, educational attainment, vocational certification, health insurance coverage, and stable housing. These reforms will reduce recidivism and make Virginia safer. The bills passed unanimously in the Senate and with a supermajority in the House.

Governor Youngkin’s amendments make clarifications and changes, while keeping intact the spirit of the legislation, as passed by the General Assembly, including:

  • Clarifying eligibility criteria for earned probation credits
  • Adjusting credit amounts awarded for education and treatment programs
  • Updating the composition of the work group tasked with providing recommendations prior to the next legislative session’s reconsideration per the reenactment clause

The legislature will reconvene on April 2nd to consider the amended bills.

“This is an important step forward for public safety, and for families and communities across Virginia. Probation incentives will strengthen public safety while empowering thousands of Virginians to rebuild their lives. We are grateful to Governor Youngkin for his support of these policies and to our champions in the legislature. We look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly to ensure these reforms are enacted to positively impact as many Virginians as possible,” said Jessica Jackson, CEO of REFORM Alliance.

“These reforms are urgently needed. Virginia is now poised to join 20 other states that have taken significant strides to modernize and strengthen their supervision system with similar incentives policies that benefit public safety and communities. We deeply appreciate the bipartisan collaboration that made this possible and encourage lawmakers to vote yes on the governor’s amendments to this policy when they reconvene on April 2nd,” said Erin Haney, Chief Policy Officer, REFORM Alliance.

“I’m proud to highlight the incredible partnerships that made these bills a reality,” said Shawn Weneta, Policy Manager East, REFORM Alliance. “HB 2252 and SB 936 are supported by organizations like Americans for Prosperity and CPAC, as well as law enforcement organizations like the Virginia Police Benevolent Association and the National Coalition of Public Safety Officers who represent Virginia’s frontline probation officers. These groups came together, transcending party lines, to champion real, lasting reforms to Virginia’s justice system. REFORM Alliance is proud to be part of this transformative, bipartisan movement.”

HB 2252 and SB 936 are supported by the bipartisan Virginia Safety Coalition, made up of more than 50 organizations including Americans for Prosperity Virginia, CPAC, FailSafe-ERA, Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Nolef Turns, and The Humanization Project, all of whom will continue to champion bipartisan improvements to Virginia’s justice system.

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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: media@reformalliance.com