PAPIS: Virginia Prisoner Reentry Program
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers state appropriation funds in the form of grants to support the Prerelease and Post Incarceration Services (PAPIS) Programs. The vast majority of incarcerated individuals will reintegrate back into the community. This grant program supports prerelease and post incarceration professional programs that provide resources and supportive reentry services to returning citizens. PAPIS programs strive to increase the likelihood of successful reintegration of adults upon being released from prisons and jails into local communities. PAPIS programs incorporate research-informed recidivism reduction services into service delivery, with specific focus areas of assessing clients for risk and needs related to recidivism, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral programming, and job readiness and employment services. Currently, only existing recipients of this grant are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
Prerelease services are intended to prepare incarcerated individuals for their transition from incarceration back into the community. Jail prerelease services may include assessment, reentry and transition planning, training, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and referrals to supports in the community. Training programs focus on job readiness and employment skills, budgeting, consumer skills, family relationships, transition expectations, and related areas of value to individuals soon to be released. Prerelease services in state correctional institutions include assisting staff in delivering the Department of Corrections’ reentry programs, developing reentry and transition plans for difficult placement cases, and connection with community resources soon after release.
Post Incarceration services are provided to individuals who have been recently released from incarceration to address their specific and individual needs in an effort to support successful reintegration into the community and sustain crime-free lifestyles. Risk, need, and recidivism reduction services include assessment, training, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, information, referrals, job readiness, and employment services. Post incarceration services also assist individuals with obtaining stabilization and emergency services such as food, clothing, transportation, and shelter assistance.
