Networking through nine Community Action Agencies and one Probation & Parole Office, with each agency working within their respective communities,  Virginia CARES has been able to develop a cohesive statewide effort to combat crime.   Parolees may locate to almost anywhere in the Commonwealth and know they will be able to find the resources they need.

Crime and incarceration are costly to Virginia's taxpayers.   Corrections officers predict they will build nine new prisons over the next decade at a cost of about $500 million.  In addition, the annual costs of running the prisons will increase by an estimated $103 million.  Virginia CARES exists to face and solve, with the customer, transition problems to recidivism, thereby lessening the human and financial costs of crime and incarceration.

 2006-2007 Statistics 

• Newly Released Post Release Participants - 2496
• Pre-Release Participants - 1430
• Employment - 606
• Housing - 409
• Food - 990
• Clothing - 579
• Transportation - 2933
• Counseling - 3891
• Financial Assistance Through Vendors - 1459
• Substance Abuse Referrals - 335
• Employer Contacts - 532
• Citizen and Customer Volunteers - 315
  
   

While no one knows the true answers to stop crime, Virginia CARES has a proven record of reducing the recidivism rate.  In a study conducted by the Department of Criminal Justice Services CARES customers showed a felony reconviction of 12% while a comparison group showed 16% reconviction.  A report to the General Assembly estimated that 89% of inmates will ultimately be released and while institution counselors have caseloads of up to 90 inmates there is an increasing likelihood that the cycle of crime will be repeated due to the fact that counselors do not have time to meet inmate's needs.

By providing one-on-one counseling and group sessions VA CARES strives to meet the needs of those transitioning back into the community.  Job counseling and finding employers who are willing to give the "ex-con" a second chance is but one method CARES exercises to assist the customers back on their feet.

With only $25 in their pocket, once they leave the prison system, it is not nearly enough for an ex-prisoner to obtain the necessities of life.  Through networking with churches, businesses and citizens CARES is able to provide food, clothing, transportation and shelter to those in need.

Reuniting families and stressing the importance of social responsibilities is another concern of CARES.  The TAP/VA CARES program in Roanoke through their Fatherhood and Families Program is designed to assist the non-custodial parent with increasing employment earnings to better pay child support and also to understand and learn the role of responsibilities of good parenting.  CARES, Inc. looks into expanding this program to all of our sites.