Democratic nominee for Governor; previously DNC Chair
Shift from military-style equipment to support services
For too long, Virginia has embraced a "tough on crime" approach to criminal justice that has focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. Terry will deliver the criminal justice reforms necessary to create an equitable criminal justice system,
one that is focused on second chances. He will invest resources in education, housing, and behavioral health services, shifting resources away from military-style tactics and equipment.
He will invest in key areas to professionalize law enforcement
agencies and improve accountability--through training and accreditation, community policing, and increased community engagement. He will examine areas including pretrial incarceration, investing in prevention and re-entry services, making sure that
addiction is treated like the health crisis it is, and breaking down barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from being productive members of our society.
A guiding principle that has served this administration well is the incredible importance of second chances. I believe that should apply to everyone, even men and women who commit a crime. That approach guided the transformation of our Commonwealth's
juvenile justice system as we reduced the population by nearly 2/3 and began to close our two huge adult-style youth prisons. [Let's] advance the reforms that will prepare these young people to lead more productive lives, while saving taxpayers millions.
Source: 2018 Virginia State of the State address
, Jan 10, 2018
Lowest adult recidivism rate in America
I am particularly proud of the work we have done on cyber security. This is a critical issue for Virginia. Last year, we experienced more than 70 million cyber-attacks, or one every 4 seconds. We have a responsibility to
protect our data from cyber criminals and to realize the economic opportunity this industry presents.
We made Virginia safer by reforming our juvenile justice system, and posting the lowest adult recidivism rate in America.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Virginia Legislature
, Jan 11, 2017
Grant 200,000 convicted felons the right to vote
Virginia is granting more than 200,000 convicted felons the right to vote in the November elections, part of a large-scale effort Gov. McAuliffe says is intended to reverse the state's long history of suppressing the voting rights of African-Americans.
The move expands voting rights to every Virginia felon who has completed their sentences and any supervised release, parole, or probation. It will also allow ex-offenders to run for public office, to serve on a jury, and to become a notary public.
The denial of rights has a particularly bitter history in Virginia, which is seen as a crucial swing state, the governor says: "Too often in both our distant and recent history, politicians have used their authority to restrict people's ability to
participate in our democracy," he said. "Today we are reversing that disturbing trend." In Virginia, 1 in 5 African-Americans is disenfranchised, according to the Sentencing Project.
Secret purchase of lethal injection drugs, not electrocution
Legislative Summary: State agencies may contract with pharmacies for compounding drugs necessary to carry out an execution by lethal injection. The compounding of such drugs is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Board of Pharmacy, the
Board of Medicine, or the Department of Health Professions; and is exempt from the provisions of the Drug Control Act. The identities of any pharmacy that enters into a contract for the compounding of drugs necessary to carry out an execution by lethal
injection, any employee of such pharmacy, shall be confidential, exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, and shall not be subject to discovery as evidence in any civil proceeding.
Legislative Outcome::
Passed House 59-40-1 on Feb. 10; passed Senate 22-16-1 on March 7; Gov. McAuliffe vetoed on April 8 and then signed substitute amendment
Virginians like James Ray, a Vietnam veteran who returned from war a changed man. James made mistakes, but he did his time and he reformed his life. He deserved a second chance to be a productive member of society.
I have made restoration of civil and voting rights of former offenders a central focus of my administration, and I'm proud to say that in just one year, we restored the rights of more than 5,200 former offenders.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Virginia Legislature
, Jan 14, 2015