News & Commentary

Virginia touts one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country, meaning that once people are released from prison, they generally don’t return. Yet there is no meaningful way to give people a second chance, even when it’s in the community’s best interest for someone like me to go home.

Let’s talk about what public safety means.

Population matters when it comes to redistricting, and that's why the way people are counted is so important. So how do prisons and the people in their custody impact the redistricting process? 

The stories of incarcerated individuals make it clear that jails and prisons are incapable of acknowledging the civil and human rights of their populations because they are systematically designed not to see people.

Before you bust out the weed thinking that marijuana is fully legal, you should know your rights. We’ve got a rundown of what you can – and can’t – do under Virginia’s new laws.

When the General Assembly approved the final amendments to the marijuana bills on Wednesday and put legalization over the finish line, we celebrated. But we are keenly aware of the faults in these bills and know that our work is far from over.

This op-ed was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Dec. 19, 2020. Ashna Khanna is the ACLU-VA's legislative director. Chelsea Higgs Wise is the executive director of Marijuana Justice.

Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving, is an opportunity to deepen a culture of philanthropy in our communities. The spirit of Giving Tuesday goes beyond the number of donations made. It’s about each and every one of us chipping in and throwing our support behind a worthy cause. It’s an attitude, a resolution and a groundswell of hope that together, we will be able to go far and build a more equitable society for all.

The special session – which ran longer than regular sessions – is finally ending. The session was convened for two purposes: