I strongly support SB634, HB361, HB26, and HB853. These bills are critically important because they provide retroactive relief, offering meaningful opportunities for those who are newly convicted or recently incarcerated. By allowing past sentences to be reconsidered under updated, fairer standards, these bills promote justice, rehabilitation, and hope for individuals striving to rebuild their lives. Passing these measures will not only benefit those directly affected but also strengthen our communities by encouraging positive reintegration and reducing unnecessary long-term incarceration. I urge the General Assembly to pass these bills promptly. Thank you for considering this crucial step toward fairness and justice.

This bill has been fought for for 5 years. It is a great bill that would allow incarcerated people to have a chance to show they have changed. A judge makes the final decision not an arbitrary board of people who have no idea what a second chance after incarceration looks like. I realize that the VA Commonwealth often has a tainted view of individuals who are incarcerated but you law makers talk and work with formerly incarcerated all of the time. You see the amazing work that people who were incarcerated can do and are doing. It is time to allow others who have served 15 plus years and paid their debt to have the opportunity to come home. You cannot keep saying you believe in second chances while continuing to warehouse people. This is an intelligent bill. it needs to pass

Im the mother of Steven..#1607364: of Staunton Va. and grandma of Ezra 6 yr.old gson that died 2/3/16, my son was charged & sentenced to 20+3 yrs. of 2nd degree murder & child felony neglect. He was 23yrs.old, not in his right mind, immature; brain not fully developed, love struck for a young lady whom he protected from the accidental death of his son. He has suffered for 10yrs. w/o his only child. He went for full custody after knowing he was the father when his boy was 3, gave him his paternal name. Steven has suffered & should be given a sentence modification, let him grieve his lose w/ him mom, siblings & great grandmothers, nieces, nephews & great nephews that love and adore their uncle Steven & want to get to know him, beyond those prison walls. Ty Kathleen Decker..Heartbroken Mom& Grammy

Good Afternoon, the House Of Delegate member of the 79th District, Rae C. Cousin on behalf of the Valley Justice Coalition and other Virginia organizations and statewide organizations, can you support two Bills? The Petition of Modification of Sentences "Second Look Act" (HB853) and Offenses Elimination of Manatory Minimums (HB863). These Bills will provide positive opportunities for re-entry for individuals involved in the Criminal Justice System for them and their families. Please, implement, thank you, Ms Stover

I am a member of the Valley Justice Coalition and we stand strongly in support of this bill. People change, times change. They deserve a second chance, a second look. Please vote YES for HB853 Petition for Modification of Sentence. Thank you.

I am a resident of Arlington, VA (22203), and I am writing to you today to share my support of criminal justice reforms for the Commonwealth of Virginia I know that the Virginia General Assembly has been working on these issues and made substantial progress in recent years, only to see the legislation vetoed by our previous conservative governor. However, November’s elections brought a hopeful change to the Commonwealth. It is my hope that beginning this year that progressive change can become a reality in the Commonwealth. Mass incarceration is a particularly significant problem in Virginia. According to data compiled by the Vera Institute of Justice, in 2015 Virginia had locked up almost 60,000 people, an increase of nearly 300% since 1983.  Virginia ranked first among Southeast states in jail population per capita and third in prison population per capita. I support HB 853 (Remedy for Extreme Sentencing: Second Look) as it will give pathways for the release of offenders serving extreme sentences who are no longer a risk to society or themselves. This is another step towards decreasing the mass incarceration that exists today in the Commonwealth. In addition, I believe the should address the dangerous proliferation of mass surveillance, the way our criminal justice system addresses mental health, access to mental health services for incarcerated individuals, pay parity for public defenders, and reducing burdensome fines and fees. Now, I understand that is a lot of work — but the citizens of this Commonwealth deserve a criminal justice system that serves them, not corporations. In addition, our criminal justice system should focus on corrections over punishments, allowing offenders to make amends for their offenses and return to be productive members of society whenever possible. I urge you to support and promptly pass HB 853 and the other criminal justice reforms listed above during this legislative session.

I oppose this bill. It would let even very dangerous inmates petition for release, such as those guilty of "aggravated murder" or the most serious murders of all, "a Class 1 felony," like killers who tortured and murdered a child. When the death penalty was abolished in Virginia, Virginians were assured that the death penalty wasn't needed, because the worst killers could be given life without parole. But this bill would eliminate life without parole, in all but name. The factors it lays down for releasing an inmate are more favorable to release than those used by most parole boards, and are biased in favor of release. That's unfair. This bill could set dangerous killers free to kill again, and menace the families of their victims.