Everyone makes mistakes. The most fortunate of us learn valuable lessons, often ones that are uplifting. For the less fortunate, the consequences of an ill-considered act can be much more burdensome.

Non-violent inmates in Virginia's correctional system, fulfilling their terms of punishment, feel that burden acutely. But even though their choices put them in a downward spiral, it need not be a dead end.

There should be roads to recovery upon release from incarceration, paths to gainful employment and productive roles in our society. We are a nation that believes in second chances, and we are at our best when we can successfully transition offenders from incarceration to a life of lawful self-sufficiency.

Attorney General Mark Herring recognizes the value of such programs and is working to smooth at least one of them for local jail inmates. If this effort can help curb the recidivism rate and reduce demand on the justice system — and, by extension, the taxpayers — we should offer our full-throated support.

As of August, the average number of inmates incarcerated in Virginia Department of Corrections institutions was 30,394. According to numbers provided to Mr. Herring's office, local and regional jails have an average population of around 29,000.

The two systems differ in funding and support — and in the focus given to how inmates return to society upon their release.

The Department of Corrections re-entry approach includes a 6-8 week daily workshop regimen which touches on subjects such as life skills, employability, substance abuse and anger management. For eligible inmates, there's also a work-release program which involves participation from local jails man of which also provide access to resources.

Ironically, this positive DOC approach carries the potential to widen a hidden gap in the justice system which Mr. Herring has recognized.

When the state refined and retooled its inmate re-entry protocols with local jails, programs for those potential former inmates were funded. Shorter–term inmates, those whose jail terms were one year or less, were not taken into consideration.

Mr. Herring intends to create a new position — statewide re-entry coordinator — to help provide connective tissue between local jails and government agencies as well as private support organizations. The stated intent is to provide support including life skills and jobs training for those inmates, too — particularly female inmates.

The attorney general hopes his initiative will help reduce the financial burden for local jails and communities. That is certainly needed, given the rising cost of the criminal justice system across Virginia and the increasing demands on local governments.

In fact, we should be looking across our entire system of corrections to make it more focused, thoughtful and cost-effective.

We recall the work of former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who increased funding for re-entry programs and argued for a review of the efficacy of inmate assimilation programs. His calls for more comprehensive reform unfortunately fell flat.

And U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott continues to argue for crime prevention, sentencing and prison policies. As we've noted before, he and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., co-sponsored a bill in the House to amend federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. A companion bill was introduced by Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

The latest DOC estimate for cost-per–inmate in the state system is $24,380. The DOC budget for fiscal year 2013 was more than $1.02 billion. Any strategy that can reduce the number of inmates and the burden for taxpayers clearly has potential to benefit communities.

When Texas cut its prison rate by 8 percent, its crime rate decreased 6 percent. The Lone Star State's approach placed inmates under community supervision, in halfway houses and in treatment facilities. Funding was linked to proof of reduction in recidivism rates. The result: The Texas crime rate in 2010 dropped to its lowest level since 1973.

By adopting a new approach, including the ideas Mr. Herring has proposed, Virginia may be able to replicate those results. There is more than one side to the return-on-investment equation. Success in those efforts would make us a stronger commonwealth.