Virginia has the lowest or second-lowest recidivism rate in the nation for 12 consecutive years, according to VADOC Director Joseph W. Walters. VADOC's Intensive Reentry Program (IRP) and Pathways to Reentry (P2R) are part of a structured system of pre-release and post-release support.
Virginia passed HB 2221 in 2025 requiring VADOC to establish formal procedures for all inmates to obtain a government-issued ID, birth certificate, and Social Security card before release -- with VADOC policies already requiring assistance on these documents and covering birth certificate fees through institutional loans when funds are insufficient.
Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2019 and provides Medicaid enrollment assistance from intake through release via the Cover Virginia Incarcerated Unit (CVIU). Virginia has no drug conviction SNAP ban.
The most significant gap: voting rights in Virginia are not automatically restored. A felony conviction strips the right to vote, serve on a jury, run for office, become a notary, and carry a firearm. Only the Governor can restore civil rights. VADOC provides the restoration of rights application form to all inmates before release.
Here is how the system works and what you need to do.
What VADOC Provides at Release
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC, vadoc.virginia.gov) is the largest state agency in Virginia with approximately 11,000 employees. VADOC provides a structured Reentry Timeline from intake through post-release with multiple touchpoints.
ID Documents (required by policy and law):
VADOC policy requires that all inmates are assisted in attaining a birth certificate, Social Security card, and state ID or driver's license prior to release. This is mandatory -- refusal to cooperate can result in disciplinary action (offense code 119c, loss of good time, reclassification to Class Level IV).
Birth certificates: VADOC prioritizes obtaining birth certificates early in incarceration. Staff assist upon intake. Birth certificate fees are covered by institutional loans if the inmate's funds are insufficient. Support is provided for foreign-born individuals and those with legal name changes.
Virginia HB 2221 (2025): This law formalizes and strengthens the existing requirements by requiring VADOC and local/regional jails to establish procedures for obtaining government-issued IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards through the DMV. A report submitted to the General Assembly in December 2025 identified current obstacles and recommendations. As of September 2024 data: only 178 of 410 released inmates (less than half) had a state ID at release. HB 2221 is intended to close that gap.
DOC Offender Identification Form: If VADOC cannot readily obtain all necessary records, inmates receive a DOC offender identification form. This form can be used as proof of Virginia residency to obtain a photo ID from the DMV after release, provided all necessary information is included and verifiable.
Medicaid enrollment from intake: VADOC's Operating Procedure 820.2 requires counselors or designated staff to give all potentially eligible inmates an opportunity to apply for Medicaid immediately upon intake. A Medicaid Release Document is completed at discharge. Transition, healthcare, and mental health staff submit federal and state benefit applications including Medicaid on behalf of eligible inmates.
Reentry programs:
Intensive Reentry Program (IRP): Runs during the last 7 months of state responsible (SR) incarceration. Community model built on accountability, peer support, and daily staff engagement. Covers workforce readiness, community resource connections, ID assistance, and Medicaid enrollment.
Pathways to Reentry (P2R): Begins 6 months before release and continues up to 3 years after. Case management plus an online platform for setting and tracking personal goals. Available at St. Brides Correctional Center for Tidewater-area releases.
Reentry Councils: VADOC supports local Reentry Councils across Virginia, bringing together state agencies, community stakeholders, reentry organizations, and justice-involved individuals.
Peer Recovery Specialists: Facilitate group programming for probationers and parolees in recovery while on supervision. Specialists have lived experience in recovery.
Pathway to Benefits Brochure and Reentry Resource Packet: Available at vadoc.virginia.gov and in hard copy at VADOC facilities.
Getting Your Virginia State ID or Driver's License
Virginia state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV, dmv.virginia.gov).
VADOC is required to assist with ID acquisition before release. If your state ID is not in hand at release, visit any Virginia DMV location. You may use the DOC offender identification form as proof of Virginia residency to obtain a photo ID if other documents are not available.
Getting Your Social Security Card
VADOC is required to assist with Social Security card acquisition before release. Some Virginia VADOC facilities have prior arrangements with SSA allowing documents to be sent by mail. If your SSN card was not obtained before release, contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
VADOC is required to assist with birth certificate acquisition before release, beginning at intake. Birth certificate fees are covered by institutional loans if your funds are insufficient. If you were born in Virginia and your birth certificate was not obtained before release, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records at vdh.virginia.gov or by calling (804) 662-6200. The fee is currently $12 per copy.
If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office.
Virginia Medicaid
Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2019. Virginia Medicaid (Medicaid Expansion) is administered by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS, dmas.virginia.gov). Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible. Apply at commonhelp.virginia.gov or call 1-855-242-8282.
Cover Virginia Incarcerated Unit (CVIU): The CVIU is the designated unit at Cover Virginia for assisting incarcerated individuals in applying for, obtaining, and maintaining Medicaid benefits. VADOC staff coordinate with CVIU. Incarcerated individuals can contact CVIU by calling 1-833-818-8752 or applying online at commonhelp.virginia.gov.
VADOC requires Medicaid application assistance at intake and a Medicaid Release Document at discharge. Ask your VADOC counselor before release whether your Medicaid application has been submitted and what its status is.
SNAP: Food Assistance
Virginia has no drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP in Virginia subject to standard income and eligibility requirements.
Apply for SNAP through the Virginia Department of Social Services at commonhelp.virginia.gov or call 1-855-635-4370.
Voting Rights in Virginia
A felony conviction in Virginia automatically removes the following civil rights: the right to vote, to serve on a jury, to run for public office, to become a notary public, and to carry a firearm.
Restoration of civil rights requires a petition to the Governor of Virginia. Only the Governor can restore civil rights (not including the right to carry a firearm).
VADOC staff are required to advise all inmates on the restoration of civil rights procedure before release and to provide each inmate with the Restoration of Rights Form from the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. VADOC staff witness the inmate's signature and upload the acknowledgment form.
How to apply for restoration: Complete the Restoration of Rights application and submit it to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Visit virginia.gov or contact the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (commonwealth.virginia.gov) for the current application and process. The process and timeline may change depending on the current Governor's policy.
Contact Virginia Legal Aid (valegalaid.org) or the Virginia ACLU (acluva.org) for free assistance with the restoration process.
VADOC and Virginia Reentry Resources
VADOC Reentry Resources (vadoc.virginia.gov/inmates-and-supervisees/reentry-resources): Reentry Resource Packet; Pathway to Benefits Brochure; Reentry Timeline; IRP; P2R; Peer Recovery Specialists; Reentry Councils; Second Chance Stories video series.
Cover Virginia Incarcerated Unit (CVIU): 1-833-818-8752; commonhelp.virginia.gov -- Medicaid applications and maintenance for incarcerated individuals.
Virginia DMAS / Medicaid (dmas.virginia.gov; commonhelp.virginia.gov; 1-855-242-8282): Medicaid applications; expanded eligibility for low-income adults.
Virginia Department of Social Services / SNAP (commonhelp.virginia.gov; 1-855-635-4370): SNAP applications; no drug conviction ban.
Virginia DMV (dmv.virginia.gov): State ID and driver's license; accepts DOC offender identification form as proof of residency.
Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records (vdh.virginia.gov; 804-662-6200): Birth certificates; $12 per copy.
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (commonwealth.virginia.gov): Restoration of civil rights application and process.
Virginia CARES (vacares.org): Community reentry organization; employment, housing, and social services statewide.
Virginia Legal Aid (valegalaid.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Virginians, including benefit access, voting rights restoration, housing, and reentry matters.
211 Virginia (211virginia.org; dial 211): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, employment, and social services.
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI applications; SSA Reentry Benefits at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
Frequently asked questions
Does VADOC help with ID documents before release?
Yes. VADOC policy requires that all inmates are assisted in obtaining a birth certificate, Social Security card, and state ID or driver's license before release. Birth certificate fees are covered by institutional loans when inmate funds are insufficient. If documents cannot be readily obtained, inmates receive a DOC offender identification form usable as proof of Virginia residency at the DMV after release. Virginia HB 2221 (2025) further formalizes these requirements. Ask your VADOC counselor about the status of each document well before your release date -- compliance with this process is mandatory.
What is Virginia HB 2221 on prison IDs?
HB 2221, passed in 2025, requires VADOC and local/regional jails to establish formal procedures for assisting inmates in obtaining government-issued IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards through the DMV before release. A report submitted to the General Assembly in December 2025 identified obstacles and recommendations after finding that as of September 2024, only 178 of 410 released inmates (less than half) had a state ID at release. The law builds on existing VADOC policy by adding statutory authority and a coordination requirement with DMV.
Can I get Medicaid after prison in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2019 and low-income adults are generally eligible. Apply at commonhelp.virginia.gov or call 1-855-242-8282. VADOC is required by policy to provide Medicaid application assistance at intake and a Medicaid Release Document at discharge. Ask your counselor before release whether your Medicaid application has been submitted and what its status is.
What is the Cover Virginia Incarcerated Unit?
The Cover Virginia Incarcerated Unit (CVIU) is the designated unit at Cover Virginia for assisting incarcerated individuals in applying for, obtaining, and maintaining Medicaid benefits while in jail or prison. VADOC staff coordinate with CVIU. You can contact CVIU directly by calling 1-833-818-8752 or by submitting an online application at commonhelp.virginia.gov.
Can I get SNAP benefits after prison in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia has no drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP subject to standard income and eligibility requirements. Apply at commonhelp.virginia.gov or call 1-855-635-4370.
Can I vote after prison in Virginia?
Not automatically. A felony conviction in Virginia removes the right to vote, and voting rights are not automatically restored upon release or completion of supervision. Restoration requires a petition to the Governor -- only the Governor can restore civil rights in Virginia. VADOC staff must give every inmate the Restoration of Rights Form from the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth before release. The process and timeline depend on current Governor's policy. Contact Virginia Legal Aid (valegalaid.org) or the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (commonwealth.virginia.gov) for current process information.
How do I restore my voting rights in Virginia?
Complete the Restoration of Rights application from the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (commonwealth.virginia.gov). The application is submitted for the Governor's consideration. The process depends on the current Governor's policies -- the timeline and criteria can change by administration. VADOC staff are required to give you the restoration form and witness your signature before release. Virginia Legal Aid (valegalaid.org) can provide free assistance with the application process.
How do I get my birth certificate in Virginia?
VADOC is required to assist with birth certificate acquisition beginning at intake, with institutional loans covering fees if your funds are insufficient. Confirm with your counselor that this has been completed. If you were born in Virginia and your birth certificate was not obtained before release, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records at vdh.virginia.gov or call (804) 662-6200. The current fee is $12 per copy. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office.
How do I replace my Social Security card in Virginia?
VADOC is required to assist with Social Security card acquisition before release. Some facilities have SSA arrangements allowing documents by mail. If not obtained, contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, apply at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate. SSA reentry benefits information is at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
What reentry programs does VADOC provide?
VADOC (vadoc.virginia.gov) provides: the Intensive Reentry Program (IRP) in the last 7 months of SR incarceration covering workforce readiness, ID assistance, and Medicaid enrollment; Pathways to Reentry (P2R) beginning 6 months before release and continuing up to 3 years after; Peer Recovery Specialists for probationers and parolees in recovery; statewide Reentry Councils; the Reentry Resource Packet and Pathway to Benefits Brochure; mandatory ID and Medicaid assistance from intake through release. Virginia has the lowest or second-lowest recidivism rate nationally for 12 consecutive years. Virginia CARES (vacares.org) provides community reentry services. 211 Virginia (dial 211) provides county referrals. ---