On March 18, 2019 the entire 6th District Republican Delegation along with Senator Emmett Hanger, Chief of Operations David Robinson, Warden J. A. Woodson, and Assistant Warden Grant, paid a visit to the Augusta Pre-Reentry Community. My Counselor, Kendra Duquesne, introduced me as Senior Mentor of the community to Chairwoman Jennifer Brown, and after thanking her for showing interest in the work that we are doing behind the walls, Chairwoman Brown stated, and I quote, "I told these guys (referring to the delegation accompanying her), we have to show them that we care." As I began to explain the inner workings of the community Senator Hanger came over and introduced himself to me and I to him. I took the opportunity to tell them all about the self-governing and healing environment that we (prisoners) have created here at Augusta with absolutely no funding. I wanted them to know that our objective is to reform the minds of the men who participate in the program and produce a viable human resource that will benefit the community and society upon release by helping to reduce crime through mentorship and social reproduction. We want to show the world that if we can govern ourselves accordingly then we are ready to be productive citizens. We are the evidence that offenders can reform themselves and by doing so give validation to the reinstatement of parole conversation. The success of this community was truly given a stamp of approval with the presence of the Delegates and Senator, for every member of the community was able to see that there are people that care. I made it known to the Senator that I believe in blurred party lines when it comes to prison reform because the solution to the problems we face will only be obtained by working together for we are all affected by them. If you are willing to do the work, then I am willing to work with you, but at the end of it all, I still had one question..., "Where are the Democrats?" (The community would like hear from you.) Once again, I would like to thank Senator Emmett Hanger, Chairwoman Jennifer Brown, Delegate Tony Wilt, Delegate Jeffrey Campbell, and Delegate Steve Landes for all making their presence felt in the Pre-Reentry Community as we move toward a more progressive Virginia. To know that the work of the Residents, Mentors, and Support Team Staff ( Unit Manager Jeffrey Brown, Counselor Kendra Duquesne, and Lt. Stokes) is being acknowledged makes the work we do worth every bit of the blood, sweat, and tears that it takes to get it done. For more information about the Augusta Pre-Reentry Self-Governing Community please contact Counselor Kendra Duquesne at: kendra.duquesne@vadoc.virginia.gov or 540-977-7000 ext. 3670
- Hassan Shabazz, Augusta Correctional Center