Transitional Services
Q: What is the Hijrah House?
A: The Hijrah house project was started in July 2003 by Muslim volunteers living in Central Virginia. It is a halfway house located in Richmond, Virginia where recently released inmates, who have no family or financial means, can have an interim stay during their transition back into society’s mainstream. The Hijrah House provides room & board to inmates just released form prison. It helps them learn basic skills such as responsibility, discipline, sharing, home budgeting, and activities of daily living. It provides an atmosphere where residents can practice their faith as well as learn appropriate life-coping skills. It links the ex-offenders with resources for job training and resume-service. At present we have only one house for male ex-offenders. Our next project is to have a house for female ex-offenders.
Q: How many ex-offenders can stay at Hijrah House at one time?
A: According to the City of Richmond zoning laws, only 5 residents can stay at the Hijrah House at one time. Typically a resident should be able to acclimate to the outside world and get a job within two months. If this holds true, the Hijrah House should be able to help 30 ex-offenders per year. At present, the Hijrah House Program is equipped and designed to assist only male offenders who have committed non-violent, non- sexual crimes, who are able to maintain full time employment, and whose institutional record and overall attitude show a strong desire to make positive lifestyle changes.
Q: Who pays all the expenses to run the Hijrah House?
A: The Hijrah House is run 100% from donations. Bulk of our money comes from individuals like you. We also get contributions and grants from charities and corporations. There is a great need for more houses. However, funding is the problem. Our next project is to have a house for female ex-offenders. We will be opening more houses as the funds become available.
Q: Who manages and runs this place?
A: The Hijrah House is managed by Muslim Chaplain Services of Virginia (MCSVA). MCSVA is a faith-based 501 (C) 3 charity organization comprised of Muslim volunteers. Besides managing the Hijrah House, MCSVA volunteers also manage the “Prison Outreach Program”, which includes prison visits, distribution of Islamic literature to Muslim inmates, and working with Department of Corrections to resolve issues facing the incarcerated Muslims in Virginia prisons and jails.
Q. What other Muslims can do to help this cause?
A: We need volunteers to visit prisons, help write a newsletter and answer inmate letters. You can also donate your time or money. Please make the check payable to Muslim Chaplain Services of Vieginia and mail it to: MCSVA, P. O. Box 24241, Richmond, VA 23224-0241.