The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

RIHD, Inc. Bills of Interest
1. SB 105 Good Conduct, Mandatory Literacy Bill aka Virginia Literacy, Education & Rehabilitation Act (VaLERA), the education and rehabilitation bill for Virginia state prisoner under the non-parole sentencing law who seek an "earned" second chance in society.

2. SB 249 Parole Board Guideline Bill for the over 9,000 Virginia prisoners eligible for parole (old law) and no longer a threat to society.

3. 618 Child Friendly Visitation Bill for Virginia prisoners and their families.

RIHD, Inc. will be holding a Planning for 2007 Virginia General Assembly Think Tank Meeting. Please come out and lend your voice to help heal all communities. SB105 Good Conduct, Mandatory Literacy Bill (VaLERA) offering education and rehabililtation for prisoners from day one of incarceration is in serious trouble of failing or being passed with discriminations to exclude your incarcerated love one from returning back into our communities as productive citizens. SB 105 isn't the solution, however it is the start towards resolution.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006 & November 30, 2006
5PM to 7PM
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
1720 Mechanicsville Turpike
Richmond, VA 23223
I-64 Mechanicsville Turnpike West Exit

In addition take the below information and walk the walk. Please ensure that every incarcerated person you know receive this information as well. Reminder: VA prisoners can only receive 4 pages to an envelope with one stamp only, so it may require 2 envelope. Prisoners it is your duty to help yourself, by sharing this information with every prisoner and your families.

Listed below are the following:
1. Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Service
2. Virginia General Assembly How to Become Involve List
3. A Sample Letter to assist writing the Legislators.
(feel free to write one letter and email to all the legislators)
Sincerely,
Lillie (Ms. K) Branch-Kennedy
RIHD, Inc.
Web Site: www.rihd.org
(804) 562-2123

VIRGINIA COMMITTEE REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE
Hanger (Chair); Miller; Marsh; Lucas; Williams; Ticer; Puller; Wagner;
Cuccinelli; O'Brien; Deeds; Devolites Davis; Locke; McDougle; and Herring.

Senator Emmett Hanger, Chairman
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
P.O. Box 396
Richmond, VA 23218
Email: district24@sov.state.va.us
Legislative Assistant: Holly Herman
Phone: (804) 698-7524 Fax: (804) 698-7651
Constituent Hotline: 800- 889-0229

Senator Yvonne B. Miller
Rehabiltation & Social Service Committee
555 Fenchurch Street Sutie 403
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 627-4212

Senator Henry L. Marsh, III
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
422 East Franklin Street, Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 648- 9073

Senator Louise L. Lucas
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 700
Portsmouth, VA 23705
(757) 397-8209

Senator Marty E. Williams
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 1096
Newport News, VA 23601
(757) 599-8683

Senator Patricia Smith Ticer
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
City Hall, 301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-5770

Senator Linda T. Toddy Puller
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 73
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
(703) 765-1150

Senator Frank W. Wagner
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 68008
Virginia Beach, VA 23471
(757) 671-2250

Senator Kenneth Ken Thomas Cucciinelli
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 606
Centreville, VA 20122
(703) 766-0635

Senator Jeannemarie A. Devolites
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 936
Vienna, VA 22183
(703) 938-7972

Senator Robert Creigh Deeds
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 5462
Charlottesville, VA 22905
(434) 296-5491

Senator Mark Herring
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
1 West Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 669-9090

Senator Mamie E. Locke
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 3006
Hampton, VA 23663
(757) 825-5880

Senator Ryan McDoughle
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 187
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(804) 730-1026

Senator Jay O'Brien
Rehabilitation & Social Service Committee
PO Box 5
Clifton, VA 20124
(703) 750-0936

HOW TO HELP AND GET INVOLVED
Get Involved!
Find out who your representatives are and what they stand for, read the newspaper, volunteer in your community, be aware of issues and how they affect you; realize that you can initiate change and remember that every vote counts. Your vote and your voice can always make a difference! Send thank you support to Senator Henry Marsh for all the work he has and continues to do to bring about truth in public safety! Without him, there would be no Bill.

By Web
The Virginia General Assembly website, which you are currently on, contains a wealth of information. To learn who represents your district, visit our Who's My Legislator site. For additional information on the members, visit the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia membership pages.

Committee(s) for Prison, Prisoner & Ex-offenders Affairs:
Senate: Committee on Rehabilitation & Social Service
Delegate: Police, Militia, Public Safety
Contact Each and Every Legislator on these two (2) committees

By Phone
When the General Assembly is in session, the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia jointly operate a toll-free, intrastate telephone message center to accept calls from citizens of the Commonwealth wishing to express an opinion on legislation. The messages are received by the center and will be relayed to the members' offices as requested. You may call the Constituent Viewpoint operators at (800) 889-0229 (outside Richmond) or 698-1990 (Richmond area) to express your opinion on a legislative issue.

When the General Assembly is not in session, you may call (804) 698-1500 for the House of Delegates Legislative Information Office and (804) 698-7410 for the Senate Legislative Information Office.
By Mail
During the General Assembly session, Delegates and Senators can be reached at their offices in the General Assembly Building in Richmond. When the General Assembly is not in session, Delegates and Senators can be reached at their district offices.

SAMPLE LETTER
Below is a sample letter that may be used to share your opinion with your legislators.

Mrs. Terry Smith
100 Main Street
Anytown, VA 23222

January 1, 2002

Dear Senator or Mr. or Mrs. (for Delegate)____________:

I am writing to you because I am concerned about ____________ (issue you would like to talk about). I think____________.

Please vote for/against this measure when it comes before the Senate/House because ____________.

Sincerely,
Terry
Mrs. Terry Smith

The Honorable (Delegate/Senator's First and Last Name)
910 Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
_________________
"Do a Little and a Little at a Time Eventually Makes a BIG Difference"