“Without electricity, people in solitary in Red Onion are completely cut off from the outside world, all for refusing to sign their name to something they believe is false,” said ACLU of Virginia Senior Staff Attorney Geri Greenspan. "That's not just cruel – it's unlawful."

“The results of yesterday’s election are clear, and so is the threat to our democracy that a second Trump presidential term represents," said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Mary Bauer. "We’re ready to fight any attack on these rights with the full force of the ACLU of Virginia."

Join us to meet eight Virginians who were formerly incarcerated or whose loved ones are still incarcerated in a first-of-its-kind ACLU of Virginia exhibition “Virginia Needs a Second Chance” showcasing black-and-white portrait photography, videos, and artwork by people still inside.

"People who have worked hard, learned new skills, and followed the rules to earn their release should get it,” said ACLU of Virginia Policy Director Chris Kaiser.

"Under the settlement, the parties agree incarcerated plaintiffs, as well as other blind and visually impaired people, will have equal access to the communications, programs, and services offered to sighted people in prison."

“Now, thanks to the new biennial budget, thousands of people will finally receive the credits they have worked for years to earn while in prison. Virginia is safer because we give incarcerated people an incentive to rehabilitate themselves,” said ACLU of Virginia Policy Director Chris Kaiser.

"VDOC and the Attorney General are supposed to uphold and apply the law as written, but instead, they manufactured their own interpretation of it and hoped no one would notice,” said ACLU of Virginia Senior Supervising Attorney Vishal Agraharkar.

“If Governor Youngkin – or the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association – were serious about public safety, he wouldn’t make it harder for people to come forward when they need help," said ACLU of Virginia Policy Director Chris Kaiser.

"We applaud the legislature for their bipartisan support of independent prison oversight, and encourage Governor Youngkin to sign this important legislation into law,” said ACLU of Virginia's Policy and Advocacy Strategist Shawn Weneta.