Georgia builds on reforms to provide released inmates with identification documents

Most people incarcerated in Georgia will eventually return to their communities. Stable housing, gainful employment, and access to financial services will be key to their successful reintegration into productive society. A new bill signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 14th will help these men and women get the documentation they need to meet these goals.   

Senate Bill 147 prepares incarcerated individuals for reentry by ensuring they leave prison with key identification and employment-related documents, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, vocational training records, work histories, and resumes. 

Successfully reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals is a critical public safety priority.  Equipping returning citizens with the basic tools for reentry can reduce the likelihood of reoffending, improve public safety, and ease long-term burdens on the state’s courts and correctional system. 

One of the most basic—and often overlooked—barriers to reentry is the lack of valid identification. Before a person can apply for a job, rent housing, or open a bank account, they typically need at least one form of government-issued ID. Yet many people are released from incarceration without one. SB 147 builds upon a 2023 reform that authorized the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) to work with the Department of Driver Services (DDS) to provide state ID cards to incarcerated individuals who lack valid identification.  

The new law provides stronger direction to GDC. Now, at the request of an eligible inmate, the GDC must coordinate with the DDS to provide a state-issued identification card. Upon request, GDC will also provide released inmates with: 

• Vocational training and work records, if applicable; 

• A certified birth certificate and Social Security card, if obtainable; 

• A resume detailing any trades learned while incarcerated and the inmate’s proficiency; 

• Documentation of a completed practice job interview; and 

• Notification of any eligibility for state occupational licenses or certifications. 

GDC is not required to provide resumes or practice job interviews to specific categories of inmates who are unlikely to return to the workforce due to age, health, or other circumstances. 

Reason Foundation played an active role in Georgia’s 2023 reforms through educational outreach and technical assistance to lawmakers. Our team of criminal justice policy experts remained closely engaged throughout this year’s legislative process, continuing to provide technical support and facilitate dialogue among key stakeholders. We provide similar outreach and support to policymakers across the country. 

SB 147 passed unanimously in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly and was supported by a bipartisan coalition of over 30 co-sponsors. State Sen. Michael Rhett (D-33), the primary sponsor of the bill, told Reason Foundation, “Senate Bill 147 is a paradigm shift. It allows returning citizens to equip themselves with the necessary IDs and create a new mosaic for themselves.” 

By addressing practical barriers that often hinder successful reentry—like the lack of identification or documentation of job skills—SB 147 represents a meaningful step toward reducing recidivism and promoting public safety in Georgia. The unanimous support it received in the legislature reflects a growing bipartisan consensus that smart, evidence-based reforms can strengthen communities while also making the criminal justice system more effective and humane. Georgia’s continued reform efforts offer a model for how states can support second chances and ensure that people leaving prison are better positioned to rebuild their lives. 

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Source: https://reason.org/commentary/georgia-builds-on-reforms-to-provide-released-inmates-with-identification-documents/