"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.

The Second Look Lobby Day will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond and end at the Virginia State Capitol, where impacted people will meet with lawmakers. 

"Potentially hundreds of people who’ve worked for years to earn their release will finally get it, and we’re thrilled that Mr. Puryear is home with his family," said Vishal Agraharkar, ACLU-VA Senior Supervising Attorney.

“Virginia governors have historically restored Virginians’ voting rights – not removed them," said ACLU-VA Executive Director Mary Bauer. “No administration should get to pick and choose who gets to vote, and that includes this one."