On September 7th, 2022, Sheriff Antonio Hash of Roanoke City welcomed a new culture change in the Roanoke City Detention and Justice Center. I.G.N.I.T.E., which stands for Residents Individually Growing Naturally and Intentionally Through Education, began in Genesee County, Michigan, under Sheriff Chris Swanson in 2020. In 2021, the National Sheriffs’ Association partnered with GCSO to bring comprehensive education, job certification, post-incarceration work opportunities, and assistance to incarcerated individuals throughout the country. I.G.N.I.T.E. has proven benefits for both jails and inmates by seeing a 97% decrease in inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-staff violence and reductions in recidivism.
I.G.N.I.T.E. is currently in seven states and is expanding rapidly and would love to continue expanding in the state of Virginia. If you want more information on I.G.N.I.T.E., it can be found on the NSA website, and contact can be made to Meghan Beal, [email protected].