News and Press Releases
Press Releases
Bill to strengthen prison education programs in Virginia heads to Governor's desk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2025 RICHMOND, Va. – Legislation that won overwhelming bipartisan support in Virginia’s House and Senate to strengthen education programs in state prisons is now headed to Governor Youngkin’s desk.
In the News
Bill to boost college opportunities for prisoners awaits Youngkin’s action
Mar 14, 2025 - Virginia Mercury, Charlotte Rene Woods
A bill to boost higher education opportunities for prisoners cleared Virginia’s legislature with bipartisan backing and could soon be signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Newly passed bill aims to improve education system in Virginia prisons, prepare returning citizens for success
Mar 6, 2025 - CBS 6, Cameron Thompson
RICHMOND, Va. — Prison reform and education advocates are awaiting action from Gov. Glenn Youngkin on legislation that they say aims to improve the education system in state prisons and prepare returning citizens for success and lower recidivism rates.
Lawmakers Reach Compromise On Prison Education Bill
Mar 5, 2025 - Rappahannock Times, Stacy Watkins (VCU Capital News Service)
Virginia lawmakers advanced a bipartisan prison education reform bill, but Senate revisions altered its original scope.
Bipartisan bill aims to improve prison education, reduce recidivism
Mar 1, 2025 - SWVA Today, Stacy Watkins (VCU Capital News Service)
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia lawmakers advanced a bipartisan prison education reform bill, but Senate revisions altered its original scope.
Bipartisan bill aims to improve prison education, reduce recidivism
Feb 26, 2025 - Henrico Citizen, Stacy Watkins (VCU Capital News Service)
Virginia lawmakers aim to improve prison education, reduce recidivism
Feb 25, 2025 - The Virginian-Pilot, Stacy Watkins (VCU Capital News Service)
RICHMOND — Virginia lawmakers advanced a bipartisan prison education reform bill, but Senate revisions altered its original scope.
Department of Corrections ombudsman will investigate Red Onion State Prison
Dec 17, 2024 - Cardinal News, Elizabeth Beyer
The director of the Virginia Department of Corrections met with a House committee Monday to answer questions about reported abuse of inmates at the supermax in Wise County.
Pell Grants are available to thousands of Virginia inmates, many aren't taking advantage
Aug 21, 2024 - Radio IQ, Michael Pope
People who are incarcerated across Virginia are about to start getting access to college classes.
Virginia prisons offer higher education opportunities for those incarcerated
Jul 4, 2024 - NBC 12, Azriah Bryant
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) -More people from the Department of Corrections are entering Virginia’s workforce than the state’s largest graduating university.
Groups celebrate full year of Pell Grant eligibility for prisoners to earn college degrees
Jul 2, 2024 - Virginia Mercury, Charlotte Rene Woods
Darryl Byers-Robinson choked up as he stood before a crowd of about 30 at Virginia’s Department of Corrections headquarters in Richmond on Monday with various advocacy groups and members of Virginia’s DOC.
Virginia educators working to expand college access for incarcerated students
Jul 2, 2024 - VPM, Megan Pauly
Thousands are eligible for federal tuition grants, but fewer can attend.
VA can bolster higher education access for incarcerated people
May 3, 2024 - Public News Service, Edwin J. Viera, Producer
Virginia advocates believe more can be done to make higher education accessible to incarcerated people.
Once the norm, collegiate prison programs grow again
Mar 19, 2024 - Community College Daily, Ed Finkel
A section of the sprawling Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, a/k/a the Crime Bill, overturned a section of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that allowed prisoners to receive Pell Grants.