Dear ,

On Saturday afternoon, February 25 – the last day of session – a modest, but important, solitary confinement reform bill passed both the House and the Senate. Although many advocates were disappointed that the bill didn’t limit solitary confinement to no more than 15 days, the bill is the first time the General Assembly has weighed in on this issue and passed a bill limiting its use. Although the bill that made it through the process, including the Attorney General opposing key provisions, is not nearly as strong as the original bill, it is still progress and something upon which to build in the future. 

Here’s the press release we released on February 26 (click here). In it, we explain that the bill requires the Department of Corrections to provide to people who are incarcerated: 

• Four hours a day out of cell for people placed in “restorative housing” (which is the term currently being used by Virginia for isolation or solitary confinement), with some exceptions, 
• A medical and mental health evaluation within one working day of being placed in isolation or solitary confinement, 
• A defined policy for transitioning out of isolation, 
• A weekly evaluation and report placed in the person’s file on why a less restrictive setting is not an option, and 
• Procedures for self-selection in and out of “restorative housing.”  

There are several important things we’d like to strengthen in the law going forward, but we are grateful particularly for Delegate Glenn Davis and his leadership in garnering support in the House. He talked repeatedly with leadership in the House of Delegates, the Attorney General’s office, the Department of Corrections, and with advocates, as well as visited a prison with Delegate Don Scott. We also appreciate Senator Joe Morrissey’s historic commitment and leadership to reducing the use of solitary confinement.

But mostly, we are thankful for YOU. You met with legislators, organized mock solitary cell events, sent letters, responded to numerous emails, placed articles in papers, and kept the issue of solitary confinement in front of legislators. Even though we didn’t get everything we wanted, we made progress because of you. Thank you.

Before leaving town, legislators passed what’s being called a “skinny” budget – not the main budget. The conferees will continue working on the budget and hopefully reconvene soon. If you didn’t send an email to your Delegate and Senator urging them to make human needs a priority in the budget (as requested in last week’s weekly roundup), please CLICK HERE to do so or click the button below my signature. See the VICPP budget factsheet HERE. 

Thankful for your advocacy, 

Kim Bobo
Executive Director

VICPP was asked by foundation allies to distribute a survey for the Virginia Community Engagement Index. VICPP asked to be able to distribute the survey after the General Assembly and so the survey was kept open till March 6 to allow VICPP activists to participate. Your insights will help leaders in Virginia develop more opportunities for people to give back and strengthen our communities together. The survey is being conducted on behalf of the Virginia Service Commission and will take no longer than 15 minutes of your time to complete. All responses you give will remain confidential. No reporting associated with the results will contain personally identifiable information, and all findings will be reported in aggregate. Please click the button below to participate in the survey. 

There is a health equity crisis in Virginia. It is up to us, as people who value both faith and medical care, to add hope to the conversation. Join us on March 8 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss where our health equity priorities stand after the legislative session, and what issues we're likely to focus on next year. There will be a presentation about vaccine equity, both for COVID-19 and for other adult vaccinations. We'll also have a chance to brainstorm how we can stand up for equity in our own communities. Click the button below to register.

The James River Chapter is hosting its Spring meeting on March 15 from noon to 1. The theme is Healing Wounded Communities by Disarming Hearts, Forging Peace and Cultivating Justice, featuring returning special guest, Mike Martin, who is the author of “Beating Guns” and founder of RAWtools, Inc. RAWtools, Inc. turns guns into garden tools, and teaches conflict resolution methods that use relationship, dialogue, and alternative means of justice as opposed to violence. The program will be held virtually via Zoom. Please click the button below to register!   

VICPP is hiring for a new health equity manager. Please encourage strong applicants to apply by March 17, 2023 by clicking the button below.

Upcoming events are posted to the web regularly. Please click the button below to check out the VICPP Events webpage.  

VICPP Executive Director Kim Bobo quoted in:

Prison reform advocates fear approved solitary confinement bill won’t lead to meaningful change

The Virginian-Pilot, Feb. 28, 2023

By Katie King

Excerpt:

Kim Bobo, executive director of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, said the Richmond-based nonprofit will continue to push for a 15-day limit. But she said the group appreciates legislators’ efforts this year.

“This is the first time that the General Assembly has given any guidance on solitary confinement, so while it doesn’t go as far as we would like, it is still a very significant and important first step,” she said.

Read full article by clicking the button below.

Solitary Confinement Senate Bill Patron, Sen. Joe Morrissey, quoted in:

Solitary confinement bills passed, but advocates' concerns remain

The Center Square, Feb. 28, 2023

By Madison Hirneisen

Excerpt:

Sen. Joe Morrissey, chief patron of SB 887, told The Center Square Tuesday that though the bill as-passed lacks the 15-day limit he hoped for, he is overall “very pleased with the final bill.” Morrissey said he is particularly pleased the bill codifies the four hours per day of out-of-cell time. 

Come next session, Morrissey says he already has plans to re-introduce a bill containing the 15-day limit. 

“Solitary confinement is a centuries-old, antiquated, horrific practice that seeks to destroy people's spirits,” Morrissey said in an interview. “We are so far above that as a society right now. We have advanced so much that we need to terminate this disgraceful process.”

“My bill got us three-quarters of the way there. Next year, we’ll get the rest,” he added.

Read full article by clicking the button below.

Assembly passes 'skinny' budget as stopgap measure

Richmond Times-Dispatch, Feb. 26, 2023

By Michael Martz, David Ress