1422 Massachusetts Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003
202-544-2131
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"It is so nice that someone still cares no matter where we are in this world." |
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Recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the Washington Region's "best small charities." |
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Our Mission
Toward our overall goal of reducing recidivism, the mission of Visitors' Services Center is to help inmates maintain their family ties and to help them, as well, create and strengthen ties to the community through a combination of direct services and referrals so that they are better prepared for release back into a community we all share - to live, to work and to raise their children.
What We Do
"Who is my lawyer?" "My keys were taken from me when I was arrested. Can you pick them up for me?" "Ask my neighbor to feed my dog. I should be out by the weekend." "Call my employer and see if he'll give my paycheck to my wife." "Can you help me get my SSI benefits reinstated? I should be out soon." "Can you help me find drug treatment?" These requests and hundreds like them are typical of the more than 6,000 requests we handle each year.
We also welcome newly released offenders to our office and provide them with an opportunity to go through our resources, make telephone calls, get transportation assistance, register to vote, prepare a resume, find a place to stay for a night or two.
For a further description of our services, go to the Newsletters links.
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Why We Do It
At VSC, we know that helping people charged with breaking the law is an unpopular cause in a community that is, at times, overwhelmed with crime. We offer no excuse for criminal behavior, but we recognize that virtually all prisoners return to the community. Many inmates, prior to arrest, have dropped out of the support systems that were hopefully available to them--family, healthcare, education, employment. To re-enter the community, they need help. It is in everybody's interest to give it to them.
"After I reviewed the history of VSC, what I discovered was that a simple plan can work. It can work effectively for inmates, it can work effectively for the Department of Corrections and it can work effectively for the general public." Independent Evaluator, VSC
'If I ever hit the streets, I'm going to make it my business to send you a rose -- to show you how much we appreciate you and the rest of the people at VSC and what you do for us, because if it weren't for VSC, a lot of it wouldn't have been done. THANKS! Letter to VSC, DC Jail Inmate |
Our History
The concept for Visitors' Services Center originated in the late 1960's when the staff at the Old DC Jail was swamped with requests from the men being held there. The Jail staff was being asked to help with family emergencies, attorney contacts, lost property, parole and probation plans--- and with understanding the legal system.
Believing that an appropriate and effective way to deal with this situation was to involve the community, the staff encouraged the development of an organization of citizen volunteers. Visitors' Services Center began in 1969. It received early endorsement from the Department of Corrections.
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"VSC -- you seem to have shown an interest in us -- don't blow out the light!" Letter to VSC, DC Jail Inmate |
| In recognition of VSC's years of work on behalf of the administration of justice in the Nation's Capital, the Council of Court Excellence presented Visitors' Services Center with the Justice Potter Stewart Award. The award was presented to VSC's Executive Director, Ann Keep, by Mrs. Potter Stewart. To read Ann Keep's remarks at the award dinner, click here. |
