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The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office formally renamed the men’s program housing unit at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center during an April 29 ceremony recognizing Second Chance Month.
The new name, the Second Chance Unit, reflects the reentry and educational work undertaken by participants. Sheriff Sean Casey and the Inmate Services team addressed an audience that included more than two dozen inmates and representatives from local reentry partner organizations.
Inmate Services Director LaTanya Ervin welcomed attendees, and Reentry Counselor Mustafa Saboor delivered opening remarks. Program participants Zachary Bell and Kevin Rodriguez spoke about the opportunities they have received to improve their futures.
Education Coordinator Krista Sofonia, ESL Instructor Dianara Saget and Chaplain Myron Contee also congratulated participants on their work.
Casey and Ervin then unveiled a sign reading, “Second Chance Unit — Every day we are given two things, a chance and a choice.”
The ceremony drew representatives from Offender Aid and Restoration, the Department of Community and Human Services, the Alexandria Health Department, Shiloh Baptist Church CARES, the D.C. Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and Northern Virginia Community College.
Casey closed by thanking the Inmate Services team, guests and participants. He praised the participants’ diligence and investment in themselves, saying their commitment made the Second Chance Unit possible.