Second chances

Our criminal justice system is not set up with an eye toward second chances but, rather, toward punishment, branding people who have been previously incarcerated for life. As many jobs and schools require individuals to disclose their criminal history, returning citizens have an extra hurdle they have to clear, making it that much harder for them to have a fresh start. As the owner of KRT Inc., a company that provides shipboard solutions to governments and commercial businesses, I pride myself on prioritizing second chances and hiring returning citizens. I’ve seen firsthand that when people are given a true second chance, free of judgment, they work hard because a steady, good-paying job means more to them than you could ever imagine. We need more leaders in Virginia who understand this concept, like gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.

McAuliffe believes in second chances. He restored voting rights to more than 173,000 Virginians and issued 227 pardons, more than any Virginia governor before him. As governor, McAuliffe will work to reform outdated expungement laws and create the first-ever Office of Returning Citizens to help individuals find employment and housing, as well as provide emotional support. These efforts could be life-changing to returning citizens.

I’m voting for McAuliffe because he understands that some Virginians just need a second chance to get back on their feet, and he’s excited to give that to them.

Kimberly L. Tucker, Portsmouth