The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia has released the following statement by Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga regarding publication of the full report of the Governor’s Commission on Parole Review:
“We commend Governor McAuliffe’s Commission on Parole Review for its thorough look at a broad range of criminal justice issues in Virginia. As we’ve long argued, Virginia must move toward a criminal justice system based on workable, commonsense solutions.
We emphatically agree with the Commission that the Commonwealth should raise the felony larceny threshold, 'ban the box' for public employment, and consider abolishing mandatory minimum sentences. We also agree with the Commission’s wide-ranging approach to restore dignity and improve public safety by expanding substance abuse and mental health treatment, as well as reentry programs and services. These measures, if adopted by the Commonwealth, will greatly improve our criminal justice system.”