The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR) – Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 36, formally establishing the Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together Initiative (Stand Tall Initiative), a first-in-the-nation proactive, dynamic, data-driven and comprehensive across-government approach, to support reentry success and prevent recidivism.
“Every single returning Virginian has the opportunity to be a testimonial of hope or a recidivism statistic. Today, I unveiled the Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together Initiative, a comprehensive effort to help those Virginians succeed. The Stand Tall Initiative Executive Order formalizes the work we have been doing since April of last year, leading to over 3,000 more returning Virginians having gained employment and over 7,000 more having gained health insurance. Our approach is proactive, measuring the achievement of key metrics for success and strategically using state resources through cross-agency partnerships. We want more testimonials of hope in Virginia and that’s what the Stand Tall Initiative is all about,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
“Our focus must be on supporting the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “By expanding assessments, improving treatment programs, and fostering strong partnerships, we are dedicated to providing the necessary resources for successful reintegration and healthier futures.”
“Employment for returning citizens is more than just a second chance—it’s a cornerstone of public safety and community well-being,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “We must continue to improve the re-entry process, because effective re-entry is not just a matter of redemption—it’s essential in keeping Virginia safe and strong.”
“One could sum up our administration’s commitment to prisoner re-entry as our belief that people deserve a chance to rebuild their life,” said Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears. “So, we are restoring hope, reuniting families, and changing people’s destiny for the better.”
“Since taking over the Department of Corrections less than a year ago, Judge Chad Dotson and his team have consistently prioritized the safety and wellbeing of corrections staff and inmates as part of the core mission at VADOC,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole. “Despite numerous challenges, Judge Dotson has continued to innovate and enhance programming for those who are reentering society to ensure they are law abiding citizens following their release. I am grateful for the efforts of the entire VADOC team and for the leadership of Governor Youngkin in supporting our men and women in law enforcement.”
“Public safety is our highest priority,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson. “Ensuring re-entry success creates long-term, lasting public safety in our communities. Virginia already has the best probation officers in America, and I’m excited that the partnerships forged by this effort will provide even more tools to our dedicated team.”
Each year, around 10,000 adults and juveniles are released from incarceration into supervision in Virginia. Fifty thousand returning citizens are managed by the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) at any one time and remain on supervision for an average of three years. Unfortunately, one in two returning citizens is rearrested and reconvicted of a felony within three years of release and more than half of our prison and jail population was previously incarcerated.
Reentry success critically depends on returning citizens receiving effective support and their own individual engagement. Each failure is a wasted opportunity for a Virginian to reach their full potential.
The Stand Tall – Stay Strong – Succeed Together Initiative contributes to reentry success by addressing employment, benefit enrollment, reentry programming, parenthood and public safety efforts.
The Executive Order formalizes and builds on the Governor’s reentry transformation efforts that began in April 2023.
