Welcome To The Virginia Reentry Initiative

Operation Turnaround Western Region's VIRGINIA REENTRY INITIATIVE is a faith based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, committed to developing and implementing creative reentry strategies for inmates, and formerly incarcerated persons.

The VIRGINIA REENTRY INITIATIVE reflects insightful reintegration
solutions that 1). requires no cumbersome litigation to implement, and 2). does not impose any undue financial constraints on the state budget, because it is basically volunteer driven.

The four primary areas are:

• Voting While Incarcerated (VWI). Inmates in the nation’s jail who have not already been convicted of a prior felony have not lost their constitutional right to vote. According to the American Correctional Association, when a person is allowed to participate in the electoral process, they are more apt to become law-abiding and productive citizens, thus less likely to recidivate.

• Work Opportunity Tax Credits for felons. Due largely to the diligence of Operation Turnaround, the state of Virginia recently revised its Employer’s Quarterly Report Tax Form to advise business owners that they may qualify for a $2400 tax credit for hiring formerly incarcerated persons. Creating awareness of this latent potential will positively impact the likelihood of a successful transition; and also help to take some of the "sting" out of the dreaded question on application forms... "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?"

• Expand GED Literacy Program in Regional Jails. This goal creates regional databases of qualified volunteer GED instructors, amenable to serving in Virginia jail system. and provide instruction to all inmates who desire a high school education. National data suggests that 80% of persons without a high school education or GED can expect to become incarcerated during their lifetime.

• The E-Faith Link. The E-Faith Link is an electronic database of various faith entities, business, public and private organizations, and individuals committed to meeting formerly incarcerated men and women “at the gate.” The E-Faith Link connects people of faith with an appropriate faith institution of their choice, i.e., the E-Mosque, the E-Church, the E-Synagogue, etc. The initial target regions focus on the areas identified as participants in Virginia's National Governor's Association Reentry Pilot Programs. To learn more about this initiative, and how you and/or your organization may support the efforts of the E-Faith Link, click the E-Faith link.

Operation Turnaround Western Region's

Virginia Reentry Initiative

P.O. Box 840

Lynchburg, Virginia 24505

(434) 528-0435




		Operation Turnaround Western Region's VIRGINIA REENTRY INITIATIVE is a faith based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, committed to developing and implementing creative reentry strategies for inmates, and formerly incarcerated persons. The VIRGINIA REENTRY INITIATIVE reflects insightful reintegration solutions that 1). *requires no cumbersome litigation* to implement, and 2). *does not impose any undue financial constraints on the state budget, because it is basically volunteer driven. The four primary areas are:* • Voting While Incarcerated (VWI). Inmates in the nation’s jail who have not already been convicted of a prior felony have not* lost their constitutional right to vote. According to the American Correctional Association, when a person is allowed to participate in the electoral process, they are more apt to become law-abiding and productive citizens, thus less likely to recidivate. • Work Opportunity Tax Credits for felons. Due largely to the diligence of Operation Turnaround, the state of Virginia recently revised its Employer’s Quarterly Report Tax Form to advise business owners that they may qualify for a $2400 tax credit* for hiring formerly incarcerated persons. Creating awareness of this latent potential will positively impact the likelihood of a successful transition; and also help to take some of the "sting" out of the dreaded question on application forms... *"Have you ever been convicted of a felony?"* • Expand GED Literacy Program in Regional Jails. This goal creates regional databases of qualified volunteer GED instructors, amenable to serving in Virginia jail system. and provide instruction to all inmates who desire a high school education. *National data suggests that 80% of persons without a high school education or GED can expect to become incarcerated during their lifetime. • The E-Faith Link. The E-Faith Link is an electronic database of various faith entities, business, public and private organizations, and individuals committed to meeting formerly incarcerated men and women “at the gate.” The E-Faith Link connects people of faith with an appropriate faith institution of their choice,* i.e., the E-Mosque, the E-Church, the E-Synagogue, etc. The initial target regions focus on the areas identified as participants in Virginia's National Governor's Association Reentry Pilot Programs. To learn more about this initiative, and how you and/or your organization may support the efforts of the E-Faith Link, click the E-Faith link.

								Operation Turnaround Western Region's Virginia Reentry Initiative P.O. Box 840 Lynchburg, Virginia 24505 (434) 528-0435