Feel free to print and share with prisoners and others.

Believe that You can Do Anything and You Will!

"Imagine yourself to be the type of

person you want to be, and then be

it.  You may have to let go of some

bad habits and develop some more

positive ones, but don't give up --

for it is only in trying and persisting

that dreams come true."

                                                                     --Barbara Cage

It is believed that  an estimated 71 percent of the prisoners released  return to prison for the same/similar type of crime, organically incarcerated.  This suggest that while incarcerated, the person didn't receive the necessary "tools" to empower productive  and successful reentry.

After reading thousands of letters, speaking with many incarcerated persons throughout Virginia, RIHD learned that prisoner have the desire to  succeed upon release; however, the opportunities for "earned" second chance is few to none.  For the most part Virginia laws prohibit and/or limit  returning citizens and persons with a felony record from housing, employment, and services. 

Since the abolition of  Virginia parole in 1995,  stiffer and longer  prison sentence has unfortunately become the norm;  thus, lead to extensive reduction in funding  for prisoner literacy, therapeutic and vocational programs.  Through laws and actions, it appears the mentality of "why educate or  rehabilitate" if they are serving longer sentences; let's wait until they get closer to their release date to begin providing the necessary/needed services;    and even then they are minimum at best. 

R.I.H.D., Inc.  believes in "Day One"  assessment for literacy, educational, therapeutic and vocational rehabilitation for all persons  upon entering  jail or prison!  Why wait to provide  those in most need the necessary"tools" to assist, uplift & empower change for the positive.  The length of sentence should not be a factor; for rehabilitation isn't just  because a person will be release or not, but to change the prisoner's perspective on life both while incarcerated  and not!  Are we not a Country, a State that believes in second chances?  For the incarcerated  whom, continue  to request the necessary and needed  "tools" of an "earn" second chance,  why are they not receiving it?

It is  equally important that we  understand that it's not just the responsibility of state and federal government   to provide the needed and necessary services (tools) to/for prisoners; it is equally the responsibility of the prisoner, their  family and it's community to be proactive in this initiative.  One such imitative is the  RIHD "Self Help."   In 2002, we began offering  "self help" initiatives to incarcerated persons in Virginia that has grown to include incarcerated persons in other states as well as in federal facilities.  Virginia prisons have seen a increase in prisoner educational & therapeutic rehabilitation, a decrease in violent prison offenses/receiving charges,  largely due to groups like RIHD and others whom continue to encourage and advocate for "EARNED" second chance initiatives.

PRISONER "SELF HELP" INITIATIVES

1. "Sponsor a Prisoner Rehabilitation through Education" S.I.P.E. Fundraising for Free Dictionaries, GED prep Books, College Text Book Assistance. In-Kind and/or Monetary Donations $25 tax deductible to you.

College Program for the Incarcerated

Haning Hall 222

Ohio University

Athens, OH 45701

(800) 444-2910

Email:  cpi@ohio.edu

Online Brochure:  http://www.outreach.ohio.edu/cpi 

2.  "Investing In Your Future" Self Help Guide

   Re-entry Planning - Business - Investment

(i.e. employment application, resume, business applications, etc.)

3.  Transportation Service to Faraway Virginia Prisons

    (Keen Mountain, Pocahontas, Red Onion, Wallens Ridge)

Sponored by:  Green Transportation Service (GTS)

4.  "Va Prisoner Artistic Works"  Annual Fundraiser

(Proceeds go directly to Prisoner Family for Child, Spousal Support from the Artist)

5.  "Fair and Commonsense Criminal Justice Reform Legislative Advocacy

                                                                                             (Youth, Prisoners, Reentry, Victims & family)

6.  Restoration of Former Felon Rights Campaign

   (Civil/Voting Rights Restoration application assistance,

      legislative advocacy and/or executive order)

For initiative brochure (s) & additional information 

 send a self-addressed 2-stamped envelope to: 

RIHD Self Help - PO Box 55 - Highland Springs - Virginia 23075  

"Change Comes from the People" Not the Politicians!!

Support/Advocacy/Public Meeting

Every 3rd Tuesday

Time: 7pm to 9pm (Spring/Summer)

6pm to 8pm (Fall/Winter)

Location: Fellowship Hall

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike

Richmond, Virginia 23223

(I-64 Mechanicsville Turnpike West Exit)

Light refreshment served

(804) 426-4426 

Assist, Uplift & Empower Directory

Virginia State Employee Directory by Name and Agency

http://www.employeedirectory.virginia.gov/Default.aspx 

Administrative letter for Inmate

 Administrative Letter for Inmates.rtf

"Hip Hop from the Hill Top Radio" Call-In Show

 Formerly known as:  "Calls From Home" and  "Holla to the Hood"

Share your concerns, ideas, suggestions with the Governor.

Prisoner Re-entry Initiative
Office of Public Safety
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 786-5351
Fax: (804) 371-6381
Email: sops-cs@governor.virginia.gov

Words of Encouragement