Decriminalizing Poverty
Virginia is For Second Chances: Landmark Expungement Reform Moves Forward
Virginia is on the cusp of passing landmark expungement reform, which could help extend a second chance to those...
Budget Priorities to Advance Racial Justice and Meet COVID-19 Challenges
Much has changed in Virginia, across the United States, and around the world since the General Assembly first adopted...
The Costs of “Cash Register Justice” in Virginia: Racial Disparities & Poverty Traps
In a quest for revenue, the criminal justice system in the United States has come to rely on court-imposed...
Budget Matters: A Look at Police Spending In Virginia Localities
Racial injustice and unequal outcomes permeate our criminal justice system. A long history of discriminatory laws and practices—ranging...
Criminal Justice Reform in the Commonwealth: 1.6 Million People in Virginia with a Criminal Record Deserve A Fair Chance To Succeed
In the wake of a national conversation about racism, policing, and criminal justice reform, the time has come for...
Budget Matters: A Brief Look at Spending Choices by Virginia on Policing
The struggles for racial justice and economic justice are deeply intertwined. For too many residents of Virginia, particularly Black...
Virginia Supreme Court Provides Emergency Relief from Fines & Fees: Temporary Measures Underscore the Need for Additional Reforms
We all want to build a Virginia where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Accomplishing this goal requires thoughtful...
Ending the Cycle of Incarceration for Black Youth
This is a joint report of The Commonwealth Institute and RISE for Youth; co-authored by Gary Broderick and Valerie...
Building Opportunity: A Toolkit for Virginia’s Future
We all want to believe that if we meet our obligations and if we work hard at the things we choose to do that we’ll be rewarded with opportunities to get ahead.