CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS

VCCJA Programs

VCCJA seeks to develop and expand criminal justice programs in Virginia that reduce incarceration rates by effectively utilizing community resources. Specifically, we focus on Pretrial Services and Community Corrections. We develop these programs by advocating for legislation to increase these services, especially in underserved communities.

Association members also pursue state, federal, and other funding to enhance these programs across the Commonwealth. This largely includes applying for grants for local governments administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in support of the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act for Local-Responsible Offenders (CCCA) and the Pretrial Services Act (PSA).

We integrated evidence-based practices (EBP) into all state supported, locally operated probation and pretrial services agencies. EBP is not a single program but a layered process that uses treatment and community supervision practices that have been proven through rigorous scientific research to reduce crime and recidivism.

Learn more about these programs VCCJA supports, as well as how EBP fits into it:

VCCJA PROGRAM

Pretrial Services

Pretrial Services (PTS) provides judicial officers with crucial defendant background information so that they can make more informed release decisions.

VCCJA PROGRAM

Community Corrections

Community Corrections provides a continuum of punitive sanctions and/or treatment services to encourage behavioral change and reduce recidivism.

VCCJA PROCESS

Evidence Based Practices

EBP uses treatment and community supervision practices that have been proven through rigorous scientific research to reduce crime and recidivism.