RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger announced today that the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) successfully launched an Intensive Reentry Program at Red Onion State Prison, among the first reentry programs in the nation of its kind at a maximum-security facility.
This new program is the 15th in operation at facilities across the Commonwealth, from work centers to maximum security correctional centers. Virginia’s Intensive Reentry Programs operate using a Cognitive Community model built on accountability, support, and structure. The programs focus on reentry preparation — including workforce readiness and connections to community resources — to support a safe and productive reentry process and strengthen public safety across Virginia.
“Reentry programming should not stop at the doors of our maximum-security facilities,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Expanding the Intensive Reentry Program to Red Onion State Prison reflects our firm belief that long-term public safety requires preparing individuals for a successful, lawful return to their communities, regardless of where they serve their sentence. Through this program, we are preparing participants with the skills needed to break the cycle of incarceration and build safer communities.”
The launch of the program at Red Onion State Prison is the culmination of months of work from team members across the VADOC, including staff members at Red Onion and reentry employees. In preparation for bringing the program to Red Onion, corrections team members visited Coffeewood Correctional Center to see firsthand an Intensive Reentry Program that has been successful for more than a decade.
“The expansion of the Intensive Reentry Program to Red Onion State Prison is a direct continuation of the comprehensive reforms we’ve launched over the past six months,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Stanley M. Meador. “In addition to ensuring the safety and security of our employees and the incarcerated individuals we house, we are committed to promoting the welfare of the community through their successful reentry.”
The Intensive Reentry Program emphasizes cognitive restructuring, an evidence-based approach that helps participants change thinking patterns to influence behavior, build emotional maturity, and strengthen decision-making skills.
“Successful reentry is central to the VADOC’s public safety mission and is an important component of the agency’s ability to provide long-term and lasting public safety for all Virginians,” said Virginia Department of Corrections Director Joseph Walters. “I commend the dedicated corrections team members at Red Onion State Prison and across the Commonwealth who have worked diligently to make this Intensive Reentry Program launch a reality. The IRP at Red Onion State Prison is indicative of our commitment to provide effective reentry programming services across the agency.”
Initial program space is limited, and eligibility criteria will be followed for IRP placement.
For more information about the many resources available to incarcerated individuals and people on community supervision, visit the VADOC website.