Six Murderers. Eleven Sex Offenders. One Parole Board.

Virginia's parole board has discovered the secret to clearing a backlog: say yes.

The Washington Examiner's analysis of parole decision data found that Gov. Abigail Spanberger's handpicked board released six murderers and eleven sex offenders — including seven rapists and two child predators — in its first six months. The board granted 38 paroles in half a calendar year, already more than the 32 granted in all of the prior year. The release rate: 13.89%, against 1.23% under the previous board.

Among the releases, repeat rapist Clarence Eugene Billups was granted geriatric release after serving three years for raping a child under the age of 13 — while out on parole for two prior rape convictions. The board cited a long-term disability that limits daily activity. The previous board had told him his failures under supervision indicated he was unlikely to comply with conditions of release.

Another release, Reginald James Holland, faced five life sentences for a brutal 1990 kidnapping involving rape, forcible sodomy, and a sawed-off shotgun. The board released him after weighing his "insight into factors that drove the criminal behavior."

The board's stated theory is rehabilitation. The numbers state a different theory: the door is open, and it swings one way.

The underlying reporting is filed in the Evidence Locker: Washington Examiner (Oct. 2026).