Correctional Facilities-Released Inmates Identification Cards
OFJ members identified the problem of leaving prison without a valid state identification card as the number one priority for the organization. Most of us have personally experienced the myriad obstacles created when an individual has no ID, inability to get social services, obtaining housing, and get a job, accessing healthcare and more. Most have found that documents required to get a State ID are lost in the process of being arrested and incarcerated. In addition, people are being released with little or no money with which to pay for transportation fees. For these reasons, OFJ supported Maryland Senate Bill 186: Correctional Facilities-Released Inmates-Identification Cards. OFJ sent out a “Call to Action” email, urging everyone who was affected by this, for their support. We identified those organizations whose mission statement collaborated with that of OFJ and formed a campaign. OFJ contacted these organizations, as well as transitional homes and met with the contact person at each and engaged in one-on-one meetings. From these meetings, we identified those within that organization and home who wished to join OFJ in supporting this bill. We also helped those individuals submit written testimony. We submitted the written testimonies and traveled to Annapolis to submit oral testimony. Members of the Board also traveled to Annapolis, and spoke to all of the aides of the Senators that sat on the committee for SB 186. The next day the bill was heard and was voted favorable. It passed in the Senate. After which, the sponsor of the bill expressed how she thought that the presence of OFJ made an impact on the committee. On March 31, 2009, it was sent to the House Judiciary, where members of OFJ sat in on the hearing. The House of Delegates voted to pass the bill on April 14, 2009. OFJ attended the Governor’s signing of the bill in May of 2009. On October 1, 2009 this bill became a law.
OFJ will maintain a rapport with programs receiving ex-offenders to monitor whether the identification bill is being enforced. Having ex-offenders receive identification upon release would relieve one of the barriers allowing room for concentration in other areas of reentry.