Attorney General Jason Miyares has called on the Virginia General Assembly to address concerns regarding the state’s Enhanced Earned Sentence Credits (EESC) law. During a press conference in Richmond, Miyares highlighted new data indicating high recidivism rates among offenders released early under this program. The Attorney General was joined by victims, families, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and victim advocates who shared their experiences of being affected by violent offenders benefiting from early release.
The EESC program, introduced in 2020 as a replacement for Virginia’s “Truth in Sentencing” law, allows inmates to reduce their sentences by up to one-third with minimal requirements. This is in contrast to the federal First Step Act, which ties sentence reductions to participation in recidivism reduction programs. Critics argue that the EESC lacks mechanisms to enhance public safety and does not adequately safeguard against recidivism among high-risk offenders.
According to findings from February 2024 by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), individuals released under the EESC system are more likely to reoffend and be rearrested for violent crimes compared to those released under standard procedures. The absence of adequate safeguards has led to increased opportunities for violent recidivism, with significant consequences for victims and communities.
During the press conference, crime victims and other stakeholders shared personal stories about the negative impact of early releases under EESC. Despite these accounts, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) criticized Miyares for allegedly focusing on isolated incidents. He specifically downplayed an incident involving Mindy Applewhite’s daughter, Dr. Lindsey Braun, stating: “I’m sorry if the woman’s family suffered injury because someone got let out, not everyone that comes out obeys the law…”
Attorney General Miyares expressed willingness to collaborate with the General Assembly on bipartisan measures aimed at enhancing public safety and accountability within Virginia’s justice system.
