OFFICE OF THE  PUBLIC ADVOCATE
FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK
JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2020
WILLIAMS INTRODUCES BILL TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL RECORDS TO FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE

New legislation aims to aid with re-entry, employment and education opportunities
NEW YORK, NY: Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams introduced legislation today which would help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully pursue education and employment opportunities by providing them with several official identification documents upon release.

Under current law, the New York City Department of Correction is required to provide incarcerated persons with a copy of their birth certificate prior to release, at no cost to them. This new legislation, Intro 1881, would expand that mandate to include school transcripts, social security cards, and driver's licenses, again at no cost. Under the bill, co-sponsored by Council Member Farah Louis, the Department would have to make incarcerated individuals aware of this opportunity and report on who takes advantage of it. 

"Even after someone is released from incarceration, there are immense barriers to opportunity in place that prevent people from seeking educational or employment opportunities," said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. "Simply having access to critical documents like a driver's license, a social security card, or school transcripts can make a profound difference in the life of a formerly incarcerated individual. I saw the incredible impact of removing similar barriers after passing legislation to Ban the Box on job applications five years ago, and this new measure will further help people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system to move forward."

Inability to access key information following release from incarceration has proven to be a major barrier to accessing higher education, vocational training, and employment opportunities. A study by the National Institute of Justice found that 56% of incarcerated individuals needed assistance in obtaining official identification. Formerly incarcerated individuals are much less likely to recidivate if they are able to access education or employment opportunities.

Public Advocate Williams has long been a strong supporter of removing barriers to re-entry following incarceration. He passed the Fair Chance in 2015 to 'Ban the Box' in New York City,  barring employers from asking about criminal records prior to a conditional offer of employment. He is currently working to pass Intro 1314, which would expand additional protections and which was heard by the Committee on Public Safety in January 2020.

"Incarceration has long been an impediment for New York City residents to overcome as they reenter our communities, said Council Member Farah N. Louis. "With the additional hurdles of securing forms of identification, the already flawed criminal justice system has made it virtually impossible for the formerly incarcerated to rebuild their lives. Intro 1881 would begin to remove barriers in their path towards self-sustainability."

"We are honored to partner with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams on this bill that directly addresses the need for cost-free access to personal information, school transcripts and government records that are imperative for returning home from city correctional facilities, said Vivian Nixon, Executive Director, College & Community Fellowship. "Every day through our direct service and advocacy work, we see firsthand the demand to create effective policy that abolishes anything and everything inhibiting opportunity for people who have touched the criminal justice system. Working closely with the Public Advocate's office, we were able to apply our on-the-ground experience to help not only eliminate unique barriers needed to simply survive, but also allow directly impacted people to pursue a college degree. We call on the City Council to pass this legislation as a necessary next step in their continued efforts to decarcerate New York City."

"At GOSO we see formerly incarcerated individuals on a daily basis who are not able to access social services, housing, City and Federally funded programs, work and educational programs because they do not have documentation," said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Getting Out and Staying Out. "Removing obstacles to attaining Social Security cards, drivers' licenses and other documentation that this population needs to successfully return to their communities and avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system is necessary. We are thankful that Public Advocate Williams is focusing attention on this crucial issue."

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