Event explores the impact of incarceration in Appalachia

Heather Bell

BLACKSBURG – When a person is incarcerated, the impact is felt not only by the person behind bars, but also their loved ones.

With more than one percent of its population incarcerated, Southwest Virginia has the highest rate of population in jails and prisons than any other in the state.

An event held Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Lyric Theater explored the consequences of that.

Virginia Tech’s Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, Students for Sensible Drug Policy and The Humanization Project presented “Ripple effects cause tidal waves: Community impacts of prisons in Appalachia,” a panel discussion and documentary showing that illustrated “the personal and community consequences of incarceration in Southwest Virginia,” according to Virginia Tech.

“Southwest Virginia has the highest incarceration rate in the state, isolating thousands of citizens from families and communities. This event spotlights the real lives behind the statistics —parents, partners, children, and returning citizens – and explores the challenges, costs, and importance of maintaining connection.”

The event included three panels featuring local voices directly impacted by incarceration and a screening of the documentary “Calls from Home.” It also included appearances by House of Delegates candidate Lily Franklin, stars from “Calls from Home,” WMMT’s DJ Ramblin’ Rose and insights from advocates, service providers and policymakers.

“When one person is locked up, everyone who loves them is locked up with them,” a description of the event reads. “Often unconsidered, the collateral consequences of incarceration on family and community deeply impact Southwest Virginia, where over one percent of the population is incarcerated, which is the highest of any region in the state. Virginia’s prisons are also disproportionately concentrated here, isolating thousands of citizens in Appalachian communities, often far from loved ones.”