jDevon Simmons said he gets deep satisfaction from helping inmates leaving local jails gain a new lease on life.

“Instead of warehousing them, we need to provide them with more services to give them a better chance to succeed after they are released,” he said.

The 30-year-old Buffalo, N.Y., native has that opportunity in his position as the first state re-entry coordinator in the office of Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring.

Mr. Herring appointed Mr. Simmons to the post in February.

The attorney general said he created the position after he met with law enforcement officials across the state to discuss their needs.

“In recent years, Virginia has developed a comprehensive plan to address re-entry and recidivism for state inmates,” Mr. Herring said.

“However, local correctional facilities were left with little guidance or resources,” he added. “Because of the autonomy of local jails, there has been no state-led or funded re-entry service, and localities cannot participate in state Department of Corrections programs.”

Mr. Herring said he selected Mr. Simmons “because he brings an unparalleled passion and determination to make a difference.

“He hit the ground running from day one, crafting a program that has never been attempted in the Commonwealth and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition,” the attorney general said.

Mr. Simmons is tasked with helping “local sheriffs prepare inmates for release and connect them with support services on the outside,” according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Mr. Simmons also is charged with creating an online website for law enforcement organizations to share information, look for grant opportunities and find ways to utilize existing resources.

In his position, Mr. Simmons oversees five outreach coordinators across the state. They report to him after they meet with law enforcement agencies and re-entry organizations to discuss their needs and to help them institute best evidence-based programs to aid offenders.

For example, Mr. Simmons said he has helped five jails implement the DMV Connect program that issues IDs to inmates to ease their transition back into the community.

Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. said he’s glad to have Mr. Simmons’ assistance.

“He’s got first-hand experience at working with offenders,” he said. “He has enhanced my efforts to get things done, particularly with women, in being prepared for re-entry.

“This encompasses all things, including helping us get more funding for our programs, so we can serve more people,” he said.

Mr. Simmons said he witnessed first hand the plight of people facing re-entry from jail during his stint as a public defender in Richmond from 2011 through the beginning of this year.

“I realized I could help them with whatever their legal issue was, but I never really touched what brought them to my office in the first place,” he said.

“When you get the chance to speak to someone who’s gone through that (legal) process and they have made a decision they are ready for change and they finally realize there’s somebody who’s helping them, you literally can see the hope in that person,” he said.

“You come away from that situation nothing but inspired.”