RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia attorney general’s office is creating the position of a statewide coordinator to prepare local inmates for their return to society.

Attorney General Mark R. Herring also announced Monday the creation of a re-entry portal to assist in that effort.

While the state has worked in recent years to assist the re-entry of state prison inmates, local correctional centers have had little guidance or resources to help the men and women held in their lockups.

The re-entry coordinator will identify and address service gaps and help coordinate communications between sheriffs’ departments and government agencies. They include workforce development programs and mental health services.

Herring said re-entry programs have been proven to reduce recidivism and save taxpayers’ dollars.

An estimated 29,000 people are held in jails statewide.

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