RIHD INC Virginia

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

03/10/2026

Abigail Spanberger, Commonwealth, Governor of Virginia, governor, virginia, VA

02/26/2026

02/26/2026

They call visitation a privilege.

Not because it’s unsafe.
Not because it doesn’t work.
But because calling it a right would require accountability.

Every credible study shows that consistent family visitation reduces violence inside facilities and lowers recidivism after release. Strong family ties stabilize behavior. They improve mental health. They make reentry more successful.

The system knows this.

And still treats visitation like leverage.

Visits are canceled without explanation. Lockdowns last weeks. Families drive hours only to be turned away. Children miss milestones. Partners miss reassurance. Parents miss proof their loved one is still okay.

None of this improves safety.
None of this promotes rehabilitation.

What it does do is reinforce control.

By labeling visitation a privilege, the system can remove it at will. No due process. No transparency. No timelines. Just policy.

Families are expected to comply quietly. To rearrange their lives around uncertainty. To accept instability as normal.

And when people ask why outcomes are so bad, why reentry fails, why cycles repeat, the answer is sitting in plain sight.

You cannot destabilize the very support systems proven to reduce harm and then act surprised when harm continues.

This isn’t negligence.
It’s design.

If visitation were treated as a right, disruption would have to be justified. Harm would have to be measured. Families would have standing.

And that would change everything.

02/11/2026

02/10/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE: HB193 Parole to be heard TOMORROW FEBRUARY 11, 2026
15 minutes after adjournment of Finance Committee

VA: HB193 Parole; exception to limitation on the application of parole statutes. Judicial compliance. (Extend SB793 (2020) parole eligibility law to persons sentenced after June 9, 2000) with a jury trial. (Judicial noncompliance) https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB193

Virginia Courts of Justice” Committee to be heard Tomorrow Wednesday February 11, 2026 between 1pm and 4pm.

Support and take Action! Here’s How:

In-person support:
Virginia General Assembly
201 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219
(Enter on Broad Street)
House Committee Room C - 206

Signup to submit written support comments prior to hearing and Speak virtually at hearing:
https://hodspeak.house.virginia.gov//submit_testimony?meeting_id=20688

In the meantime CALL 📞 EACH COMMITTEE MEMBER Today, Tonight. Feel free to leave a voice message in support 👇
Patrick Hope (Chair) (804)698-1001
Michelle Lopez Maldonado(Vice Chair)(804) 698-1020
Mehta Leslie Chambers (804) 698-1073
Carnegie, Karen Robins (804)698-1089
Thornton, Virgil Gene, Sr.(804) 698-1086
Pence, Justin L
(804) 698-1033
Marcus Simon
(804) 698-1013
Vivian Watts
(804) 698-1014
Richard Sullivan
(804) 698-1006
Karrie Delaney
(804) 698-1009
Phil Hernandez
(804) 698-1094
Rae Cousins
(804) 698-1079
Atoosa Reaser
(804) 698-1027
Katrina Callsen
(804) 698-1054
Karen Keys-Gamarra
(804) 698-1007
Terry Kilgore
(276) 386-7011
James Leftwich
(804) 698-1090
Jason Ballard
(804) 698-1042
Wren Williams
(276) 200-4089
Will Davis
(804) 698-1039

08/22/2025

VIRGINIA: 2026 Legislative Initiative - Two (2) Fair Remedies to “Correct Sentencing” Injustices of the Past that Remain Uncorrected. Join RIHD Mobile Justice Tour Legislative Campaign and Support Our Mission to Advance Justice!

PAST & RELEVANT RIHD LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
"The Need for Sentencing Reform & Establishment of Remedies to Correct
Injustices of the Past" ​ Campaign
(Still relevant)

2018, Successfully sponsored and lead Virginia Bill HB1055 Sentence Guideline Amendment Provision B & F. Judicial "Oversight" for Noncompliance of the law; introduced by Delegate Charniele L. Herring; enacted into law by Governor Terry McAuliffe
https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/nlegp604.exe?181+sum+HB1055

2020, Successfully sponsored Virginia Bill SB793 legislative remedy to Fishback vs Commonwealth June 9, 2000 ruling. "Parole Eligibility" status was given to 540 "truth-in-sentencing (non-parole eligible); allowing for early releases. Bill introduced by Senator Jennifer McClellan; enacted into law by Governor Ralph Northam.
https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+sum+SB793
​​
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" ​​--Margret Mead

Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised
RIHD, INC
Website: Www.rihd.org
Call: (804)426-4426
Email: [email protected]

08/15/2025

・・・
We are 30 days away from our free Richmond Expungement Clinic! Deadline to register for the clinic is September 1, 2025!

Virginia… criminal justice needs unity and strategy

It’s time…

The inaugural conference, resource fair, awards and sneaker ball are to bring the Virginia justice community together to learn/teach and strategize for the following year and then we will celebrate together.

Join Virginia advocates, directly impacted community, legislators and other stakeholders to strategize and collaborate ahead of 2026 General Assembly. We will discuss the many avenues to liberation and reform in the Virginia criminal legal system ecosystem.

September 11-12, 2025 Virginia Justice Conference
September 20, 2025 2025 Virginia Justice Awards and Sneaker Ball

Get all the details and purchase your tickets today at www.virginiajusticeconference.com

The inaugural Virginia Justice Conference is being hosted by Nolef Turns Inc., a Richmond, VA based re-entry and policy organization that provides direct service support to individuals impacted by long term incarceration. Join Virginia advocates, directly impacted community, legislators and other st...