NORFOLK, Va. — Thousands of people could be released from Virginia prisons this year, but opportunities can be hard to come by with a criminal record.
Many formerly incarcerated people grapple with the immediate need to secure housing, employment, income, and healthcare access. Legal restrictions and social stigma limit their access to jobs, homes, and education.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said more than 95% of prison inmates will reintegrate into neighborhoods and communities, so it's critical to help them reenter successfully.
"I think that our number one goal should be that if you've paid your debt to society and this is a new chapter in your life and you want to be a productive citizen, let's make sure you have those opportunities," Miyares said.
He also mentioned that while Virginia has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country, that number could be even lower.
In hopes of giving people a true second chance after serving their sentences, Miyares is teaming up with the Urban League of Hampton Roads and Revive Community of Virginia to host the Returning Citizen Career and Wellness Fair in Norfolk.
The event is being held in honor of Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the consequences of a criminal conviction and unlock opportunities for formerly incarcerated people to get a fresh start.
"We have a need here. Newport News Shipbuilding and so many others are really interested in finding workers, and we have these individuals that are now reentering society and they're anxious to work," Miyares said. "Well, let's get them together."
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It's the first time the event is being held in Hampton Roads after Miyares said similar fairs in Richmond and Petersburg saw success. Miyares said it also aligns with his Ceasefire Virginia initiative, which forms partnerships with local elected officials and law enforcement to address violent criminal activity among serious and repeat offenders.
Gil Bland, president and CEO of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, said the effort also lines up with the work and mission of his organization.
"For the Urban League, employment is one of our four pillars, along with education, health, and housing," Bland said.
He also connected the dots between one of those pillars -- education -- and incarceration.
"Unfortunately, our young children, once they reach the third grade, their ability to read, or inability to read, helps determine how many prisons need to be constructed in the future," Bland said. "Because it's presumed if you can't read, you'll eventually drop out. And if you drop out, statistics suggest that 70% of dropouts end up being incarcerated."
In light of this, Bland said he's excited that the fair will connect returning citizens with more than 20 employers offering onsite interviews and career exploration. He said there will also be organizations and state agencies providing healthcare services, housing resources, and more to help them rebuild their lives.
"Our region and its economy [need] employees in the worst kind of way," Bland said. "And [it's] a win-win for the returning citizens. It's an opportunity to re-establish themselves in the workforce, re-establish credit histories."
Revive Community of Virginia will provide resources from its Feed the City Program at the fair.
"Revive's mission is to remove barriers that prevent our communities from living a fulfilling life, simply put," said Revive's President & CEO and Founding Pastor of Calvary Revival Church, Dr. B. Courtney McBath, in a statement. "The Commonwealth of Virginia releases hundreds of thousands of incarcerated persons each year. Each and every single one of those individuals deserves to make a livable wage upon reentry into society."
It's the kind of reinforcement that business owner and motivational speaker Azeem Majeed said is critical for ex-offenders to move forward. Majeed said he spent 26 years in prison and believes one of the greatest fears among inmates is not having the means to support themselves upon release.
Majeed credits the support and guidance he received after serving time with helping him get back on his feet.
"I just connected myself with every single organization that I feel that, felt that could provide me with some type of, like, resourcing, and put me in a position so that I can, you know, pretty much evolve into a better version of myself," Majeed said.
He mentioned that returning citizens have unique skill sets and they just need the chance to show businesses and communities what they can bring to the table.
"I just would encourage the people to really trust that we are valuable and trust that we have something valuable to bring to your organization," Majeed said.
The Returning Citizen Career and Wellness Fair will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Calvary Revival Church, 5833 Poplar Hall Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502.
The fair is free and open to the public. You can register in advance here.