Certified Good Policy: Documents and Certifications Can Unlock Successful Reentry for Thousands of Louisianians

The data is resoundingly clear that the more connected the formerly incarcerated are to the society they reenter, the less likely they are to reoffend. Very few would dispute that employment and stability is the most desirable post-incarceration outcome. Those who have served their sentence are eager for second chances, while policymakers and stakeholders understand the harsh economic impact produced by a cycle of recidivism. The general population also cares deeply about public safety and does not want repeat offenders in their communities. Taxpayers want dollars to be used wisely on essential services and programming that achieve positive outcomes. Employers desperately need a workforce, and state leaders certainly want new economic development projects that demand skilled talent to be successful. Redemption, public safety, and post-incarceration employment go hand in hand.

However, reaching those goals often involves practical barriers that are easy to overlook. Documents necessary to begin a job, like a driver’s license, training and qualification records, and employment readiness details, are among them. HB167, introduced by state Representative Barbara Freiberg, is an effort to connect inmates with the necessary resources to aid a smooth transition back into being a productive member of society. The bill acknowledges two realities: stable employment has a significant impact in reducing recidivism rates, while at the same time, over 15,000 individuals are released from Louisiana prisons yearly, making the demand for stable employment opportunities particularly urgent. It does so by outlining a criteria and method for ensuring that inmates who fall under certain eligibility conditions receive the appropriate documentation before they are released. 

For those without a driver’s license, a special state identification card will be issued by the Office of Motor Vehicles. The Department of Corrections will manage other provisions, including a copy of the inmate’s vocational training record, a copy of their work record, a copy of their birth certificate, a social security card or replacement, a resume that includes the skills learned by the inmate while incarcerated, documentation that the inmate has completed job interview training, and a notification that the inmate is eligible to apply for license through state entities that oversee occupational license. Rather than having to collect these materials from multiple agencies after release, eligible inmates will receive an organized and official collection of documents before beginning to navigate a life after incarceration. 

While the goals and methods of HB 167 are admirable and straightforward, the bill also has the potential for secondary effects that benefit the Louisiana Department of Safety and Corrections as well as other law enforcement for years to come. By mandating a structured and uniform identification process and establishing a regular compilation of training and readiness records, HB 167 will almost certainly improve the way data is collected and shared. Strong data about the state of work readiness and reentry programs as well as who is reentering society allows government agencies to better assess areas of need in their own departments and to understand the full picture of the state of reentry in Louisiana. 

This approach also holds value for local jails in Louisiana. Over recent years, the state has led the nation in state prisoners held in local jails, because state prisons often meet their capacity and have nowhere else to turn. Local jails have long received funding from the state and have signed agreements with the state to house these inmates and provide minimal services. However, they claim resources are insufficient to support access to this essential documentation and other transition/reentry programming. In fact, local officials insisted any mention of local jails being required to comply with HB 167 be stripped from the bill. Going forward, the answer can’t just be “no” to such a critical need for these individuals and for our state’s public safety and workforce. Lawmakers must play a leadership role in moving the needle somehow and making progress. The process outlined by HB 167 offers a roadmap for such collaborative efforts. 

State policies regarding post incarceration documentation vary, but a snapshot from the National Conference of State Legislatures does show that Louisiana falls significantly behind in providing for official documentation. Over recent years, Louisiana has demonstrated fantastic resilience and leaped ahead in national rankings for public safety, education, and the economy. Galvanizing the process by which we prepare the formerly incarcerated to not just reenter society but contribute to it as well can only strengthen these numbers.