Virginia to Grant Early Releases to More Inmates Following ACLU Lawsuit

Change in policy could affect 'potentially hundreds' of inmates, raising concerns about potential crime spike.

Virginia prison officials have agreed to give more inmates enhanced earned sentence credits for good behavior, allowing for earlier releases from prison.
The change comes after the ACLU of Virginia sued the governor, attorney general and state corrections officials on behalf of inmates who claimed they were denied enhanced credits called for in a 2020 law.
The ACLU of Virginia estimates that the change could affect 'potentially hundreds' of inmates.
The change was made following a Supreme Court of Virginia ruling in favor of an ACLU client who was convicted of attempted aggravated murder.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason S. Miyares have expressed concerns that releasing the inmates early could lead to a spike in crime.