VisitorsServicesCenter.Org
1422 Massachusetts Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003
202-544-2131
| Recognized by the 2005 Catalogue for
Philanthropy as "one of the best small charities in the Washington region." For more information on the Catalogue and our recognition, go to the Catalogue of Philanthropy's Web site. |
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| What's New at VSC |
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| Information for: |
| Washington Post Article about VSC |
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| Newsletters: |
| How You Can Help |
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| Mailing List Signup |
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| Visitor Comment Line |
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| Contact Us |
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| Re-entry: What does this mean? |
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| Board of Directors and Staff |
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| Finances |
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| Home |
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What We Do
VSC provides immediate, practical assistance to inmates of the DC Jail, their families and their lawyers. We provide answers to such straightforward questions as: "Who is my lawyer?" "Can you call my mother and tell her the visiting hours and ask her to visit?" "My keys were taken from me when I was arrested -- can you pick them up at the police district station?"
Every year VSC responds to some 15,000 requests like these. For a further description of the requests that we handle, go to the Newsletters links.
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"It is so nice that someone still cares no matter where we are in this world." Letter to VSC, DC Jail inmate |
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, compile and type a resume, and find a place to stay for a night or so.
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 also 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.
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"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 Chaplains at the Old DC Jail were swamped with requests from the men being held there. The Chaplains were being asked to help with family emergencies, unresponsive attorneys, 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 Chaplains 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 |
| At a dinner on May 5, 2005, Visitors' Services Center was awarded the "Justice Potter Stewart Award" by the Council for Court Excellence in recognition of years of work on behalf of the administration of justice in the nation's capital. The award was presented to VSC's Executive Director, Ann Keep, by Mrs. Potter Stewart. |
