Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that thousands of former felons qualify to have their voting and other civil rights restored after completing their sentences.
Governor Speeds Up Rights Restoration Process for Thousands
Dell Denise Williams was surprised to learn that the governor would be personally taking action to restore her civil rights. She joined him at the press conference alongside other returning citizens. (Photo: Whittney Evans/VPM News)
Governor Ralph Northam has taken action to fast track voting rights restoration for tens of thousands of Virginia residents with prior felony convictions.
Northam made the announcement Tuesday at Offender Aid and Restoration, a non-profit that provides support to returning citizens.
“If we want people to return to their communities and participate in society, we need to welcome them back fully,” he said. “It’s wrong to keep punishing people forever.”
Roxanne Jones holds on to the good times.
You might stop by in the evenings and sheâll be dancing and singing to Gladys Knight or Patti LaBelle. In the fall, youâll find her cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sheâll quickly talk about the most recent games and can easily rattle off names like Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris.
Jones spends the day as a community outreach coordinator for Charlottesville s Department of Human Services. She helps people in need find and navigate services â and sheâs particularly skilled at the work because of her personal experience.
Jones spent time in prison in the 1990s from an addiction to crack cocaine, an experience thatâs shaped her life and career ever since.