Background Checks:
Reentry Statistics:
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According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Georgia Opportunity and The Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/pptmc.pdf & http://gov.georgia.gov/sites/gov.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/GA%20Criminal%20Justice%20Reform%20Council%20Report.pdf (DC) http://www.georgiaopportunity.org/resources/
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1.2 billion spent on corrections yearly
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Recidivism rates in GA and other
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OVER 56,000 people are incarcerated in Georgia -
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Over 1,800 of those are juveniles.
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1 IN 13 GEORGIANS ARE INCARCERATED, ON PROBATION OR PAROLE
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By 2016, Georgia's Prison Population is estimated to grow to 60,000
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53% of women in prison in Georgia are white. 80% have substance abuse problems. 80% have physical or sexual abuse in their history. 90% are mothers or grandmothers.
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30% of offenders released in Georgia will reoffend within 3 years.
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At least 95% of those who enter state prisons return to society at some point (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2002).
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Nearly 700,000 offenders were released from state and federal prisons in 2011 (Bureau of Justice Statistics).
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Two out of every three offenders released from prison are rearrested within three years (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2002)
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More than 4 in 10 offenders return to prison within three years of their release (Pew Center on the States, 2011).
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In 2008, the number of unemployed ex-offenders cost the U.S. economy between $57 and $65 billion in lost output (Center for Economic and Policy Research).
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According to one prominent study, a criminal record reduces the likelihood of a job callback or offer by nearly 50 percent (Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 2009).
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An estimated 87 percent of companies are conducting criminal background checks on some or all of their job candidates before hiring (Society for Human Resource Management, 2012).
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2.6 million people have a criminal record on file with the Georgia Crime Information Center,
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while Georgia’s total population is 9.99 million people (Georgia Bureau of Investigation,
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2013; U.S. Census Bureau, 2013).
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One in 13 adults are under some form of correctional supervision in the State of Georgia (Pew Center on the States, 2009).
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Between 1982 and 2002, the Georgia prison population more than tripled from 13,884 to 46,534 people (Urban Institute, 2004).
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Between 1990 and 2011, Georgia’s prison population more than doubled to nearly 56,000 inmates.
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In 2010, the state’s prison population was the fifth largest in the nation at 53,704 offenders, while having the ninth largest population of any state (Vera Institute of Justice; U.S. Census Bureau).
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Over 164,000 offenders were on probation in 2013 (Georgia Department of Corrections)
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The average probation sentence for an offender in Georgia is almost 7 years – twice the length of the national average (Georgia General Assembly, 2011).
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More than 27,000 offenders were on parole in 2013 (State Board of Pardons and Paroles).
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Sixty percent of inmates in Georgia are parents (Georgia Department of Corrections, 2014).
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Only 14 percent of inmates are married and 9 percent of inmates are divorced (Georgia Department of Corrections, 2014).
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Forty-four percent of inmates report only their mother as their guardian to age 16 compared to 38 percent who report both parents as guardians (Georgia Department of Corrections, 2014)
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Georgia has released an average of 20,000 offenders per year over the last five years (Georgia Department of Corrections).
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Twenty-one percent of max-outs are released with no supervision at all (Pew Center on the States, 2011).
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The recidivism rate in Georgia has remained unchanged at nearly 30 percent over the past decade. That means nearly one in three people released from prison return there within three years (Georgia General Assembly, 2011).
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Every percentage point that parole recidivism is reduced results in savings of $6 to $7 million in reduced costs of incarceration to the state (Pew Center on the States, 2007).
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Georgia spends $21,039 per year for every offender who ends up back behind bars per year, amounting to over $130 million annually for every cohort of released prisoners that recidivates (Vera Institute of Justice, 2012; Georgia Department of Corrections, 2014; Georgia General Assembly, 2011).
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In fiscal year 2010, the state spent over $1 billion in prison expenditures, more than twice the amount spent in 1990, which was $492 million (Vera Institute of Justice, 2010; State of Georgia, 2014).
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For every dollar spent on higher education in 2007, Georgia spent 50 cents on corrections (Pew Center on the States).
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Prior to the adult corrections and juvenile justice reforms of 2012 and 2013, respectively, five-projections forecasted additional growth in the incarcerated population and another $264 million in prison costs (State of Georgia, 2014).
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Helpful Tips for a Successful Reentry
Employment:
When seeking employment, it is important to know what advantages you can have over other job seekers that do not have a criminal background. Employers often overlook ex-felons and see them as a liability. There are several ways to combat this pre-misconception by presenting potential employers with information that could benefit the company as a result of hiring you. When you have the opportunity to interview for a position, this is the prime opportunity to present the potential employer with brochures that outline the following incentives:
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Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) are federal tax credits awarded to Georgia companies that hire individuals who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) coordinates the WOTC program which provides employers financial incentives when hiring workers from targeted groups of job seekers by reducing an employer’s federal income tax liability. The tax credit can be from $1,200 to $9,600 per qualified employee, depending on the target group. The most frequently certified WOTC is $2,400 for each adult new hire.
Learn more about this program: http://www.georgia.org/competitive-advantages/tax-credits/work-opportunity-tax-credits/
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Federal Bonding Program: Federal Bonding provides employers with limited liability coverage at no cost when they hire job applicants who cannot be covered by a commercial bond. A Federal Fidelity Bond from Travelers Insurance is a business policy that insures employers against theft, forgery, larceny or embezzlement by the bonded employee. The bond does not cover liability due to poor workmanship, job injuries or work accidents. The Federal Bonding Program does not provide bail bonds, contract bonds, performance bonds or license bonds for self-employment. To qualify for this, returning citizens must inquire at the nearest Department of Labor.
Learn more about both programs: http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pdf/forms/dol1073.pdf
If you are having trouble finding the services you need, please feel free to contact us for assistance in referrals. It is our goal to provide you with the best information to accomplish a better lifestyle. Overall, studies have found:
ATTITUDES. Returning prisoners have extensive criminal and substance use histories, yet are very optimistic about what life will be like after release—showing high levels of self-esteem and expectations that the reintegration process will be relatively easy.
Reentry is not easy. It is one of the most difficult things a person can do in his or her lifetime. To successfully reenter the workforce and daily life after incarceration, one must understand that nothing is going to happen overnight. Don’t get frustrated that things are not moving quickly. While inside, people have dreams of grandeur and thoughts similar to, “When I get out, I need to get a house, a car, a job, and pay off these debts as soon as possible.” One thing to focus on is developing a plan with short and long term goals; keeping in mind to always focus on the next action to get you to your next goal. This process takes time and a great deal of effort. It’s easy to give up and go back to a life of crime, but the reward of achieving your goals is worth every moment you face.
PRISON PROGRAMS
Most prisoners participate in some type of in-prison programming, but roughly a third express interest in a program unavailable to them.
Prisoners who participate in job training and educational programs are less likely to return to prison after release.
Additionally, former prisoners who participate in an employment program or substance abuse treatment are better able to avoid re-incarceration the first year out.
Was there a program you thought you might be interested in while incarcerated? Was there a program you participated in while incarcerated that you thought would be interesting to you when released? Is there a trade or skill you would like to learn? Our directory contains information about job skills and training. If there is something that you have little to no experience in, but you think would be a better fit for your abilities, then skills training is for you. There are a variety of programs in the directory that can help you find the job that would be the best fit for you, as well as training courses for particular industries.
SUBSTANCE USE
Despite extensive substance use histories, relatively small portions of returning prisoners participate in substance abuse treatment during incarceration.
Those who participate in substance abuse treatment are less likely to use drugs after release.
Besides drug treatment, other inhibitors of substance use the first year out include being on parole supervision and receiving tangible support from one's family.
About a quarter of former prisoners relapse to drugs or alcohol in the year following their release.
Do you have a substance abuse problem? Reentry can be the hardest time to stay clean and sober. It is vital to your successful reentry to take part in any and all substance abuse treatment programs. Our directory has information on substance abuse treatment facilities for in or out-patient needs. It also contains information about local Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholic Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, ALANON, and other support groups that meet every hour on the hour. You are not alone and you don’t have to stay alone. Staying sober is not something that one can manage alone. Addiction is a disease. It takes a support system to abstain from drug or alcohol use. Remember to take each day ONE DAY AT A TIME. Focus on staying clean JUST FOR TODAY. There are so many things that can trigger a relapse. The key is to find a sponsor, get into a program that fits your needs, and work the program. Drug and alcohol use only leads down three roads: Jails, Institutions, or Death. The only way to avoid these three outcomes is to commit yourself to abstaining from use of drugs or alcohol and finding a support group to assist in that abstinence. There are a vast number of programs that can fit your individual needs.
HEALTH
Although returning prisoners have positive views of their health, notable shares report having chronic or infectious diseases, as well as depression or other mental illnesses.
Too many people neglect their physical and mental health. Lack of treatment can cause individuals to be unable to seek employment, housing, or other basic necessities. The cost can motivate people to avoid treatment as medical bills can pile up quickly. There are organizations that provide free or low cost health, dental and mental health services. Please see our directory for the latest information on services in your area.
EMPLOYMENT
Many returning prisoners have significant educational and employment deficits: roughly half lack a high school degree or equivalent, more than half have been previously fired from a job, and many depended on illegal income prior to incarceration.
After release, former prisoners have limited success in finding employment: about half find work the first year out
Most former prisoners owe debt at release, which few manage to pay during the year following their release.
Former prisoners who held an in-prison job, participated in job training while incarcerated, earned a GED during prison, and/or participated in an employment program early after release work a greater percentage of time the first year out than those who did not.
Other factors that increase the likelihood of employment include having worked before prison, lining up a job before release, and using a former employer to find a job after release.
Do you have a GED or high school diploma? If not, please see our directory for resources on obtaining your GED or high school diploma. This is vital to finding a higher paying job. The GED process only takes a few weeks to complete generally and is well worth the time and effort to complete. There are services in place to assist you in completing this.
Do you owe child support? Are you in arrears? The Child Support Enforcement Agency has created a program for fathers and mothers who currently owe child support, called the Fatherhood Program. The course takes a few weeks and consists of parenting classes and money management. They will assist you with job and housing placement as long as you are making your child support payments once you are employed. They also provide tuition assistance for a trade certification or degree. Please see the directory for contact information.
Our directory will provide you with information on various organizations and companies that can assist you on education and employment training skills as well as employment placement services.
FAMILY
Family members are the greatest anticipated source of financial resources, housing, and emotional support before prisoners are released.
Most former prisoners report being very close to family and highly rate the quality of intimate partner relationships, despite the fact that family members tend to have their own histories of criminal involvement and substance use.
Former prisoners living in married or like-married relationships have lower odds of recidivism and drug use/intoxication than those in more casual relationships.
Likewise, former prisoners who are married are more likely to find employment after release, and those with children to whom they are closely attached enjoy better employment and substance use outcomes.
Our directory has information on companies and organizations that can assist families of incarcerated individuals to maintain a quality of life and living standards. There is also information on the directory for counseling services and mentoring or life coaching services. We are dedicated to preventing recidivism and that starts with the children in the home. Please see our directory for information on youth services.
COMMUNITIES
Significant portions of returning prisoners are clustered in a handful of neighborhoods with high levels of social and economic disadvantage. Still, roughly half of released prisoners return to different neighborhoods than where they resided before incarceration—either to avoid trouble or because their families have moved.
Save Inmates Today, Inc. has partnered with various organizations to assist in the reintegration process. These community organizations, providers, and partners are all working together to help returning citizens reenter the community and have a successful reentry process.
RECIDIVISM
Although small percentages of former prisoners report engaging in crime after release, nearly a quarter say they are rearrested the first year out.
Official records show that nearly a quarter of former prisoners are reincarcerated in state correctional facilities within the first year of release, though re-incarceration rates vary by state—ranging from approximately 15 percent in Ohio and Texas to nearly one in three in Illinois and Georgia.
Among prisoners returned to custody, almost three-quarters return due to a supervision violation. Former prisoners who worked before prison and those who find employment soon after release are less likely to be reincarcerated one year out.
There are many causes for recidivism, but the few that are the outliers are a lack of support, addiction, and lack of education and employment. To reduce recidivism (returning to prison or jail after release from incarceration), we have provided a directory of information to assist returning citizens in obtaining the most basic needs. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please feel free to contact us any time. (Link to contact page)
POSTRELEASE SUPERVISION
Being released to parole supervision helps former prisoners find employment and simultaneously reduces their likelihood of substance use after release. However, parole supervision has almost no impact on self-reported crime or re-arrest after release, and increases the likelihood of reincarceration due to technical violations.
Supervision after release can be difficult to contend with. It is important to remember that your parole or probation officer is a source to lean on, not fear. The more communication you have with your officer about your goals, needs, etc., the better that supervising officer is to assist you. The goal of supervision is to have someone who monitors your activities to ensure that you are headed down the path to successful reintegration with the community. The common misconception with supervising officers is that they are out to get you or that supervision is a set up. The great news is that it is not a set up but a hand up. If you are determined to do wrong, you will ultimately be violated by that officer. But if you want to fly right and get your life on the right track, that officer has a wealth of information that you can get from him or her to assist you in all your needs. The best way to handle a supervision after release is to be honest with your supervising officer and utilize the information they have available to assist you. It is okay to call your monitoring officer and tell them that you don’t have access to food, clothing or housing. They are there to help you succeed. If you cannot get in touch with your officer, please contact the office for which you are being monitored and someone from that office may be able to help you obtain the information you need.
Returning Citizens Information:
Are you are returning citizen in need of assistance? Do you have a loved one who is incarcerated and need help for yourself or family? Look no further. Save Inmate's Today, Inc is Georgia's reentry resource information center. Below you will find access to valuable information that can assist you in all areas of reentry. Our directory has the most current information on resources and programs in and around Georgia that can assist you. Please fill out our assessment to help us better assess your needs and refer you to the assistance providing organizations or people in your area.
Link to Assessment HERE
Link to Directory HERE
Are you the family or loved one of someone who has been incarcerated? Would you like for us to request a spiritual advisor visit with the individual? Please fill out our short form and we will send someone to go and speak to your loved one.
Please click on the above word's "record expungement" to be taken to a comprehensive step by step "How To" guide done by the Georgia Justice Project.
Record expungement is quite easy and doesn't take a motion to do at all (for the most part). I would know, I've walked several through it step by step. The question to start with is "Am I eligible?" That's easy enough to figure out as I have provided the GA code for record expungement below (I put it under my name at the bottom of this email). Read it to see if you qualify for expungement. (You must go to each county you have been arrested in to get an expungement in each county. This can be tedious and costly. But the good news is that once you have all your documents and approvals back from each county, you can send them all in to GCIC at once and only pay the GCIC fee one time)
Even if you don't qualify, I would still apply for the expungement... God is good! First step is to go to the arresting agency. If it was Dekalb County, for example, you would have to go to the Dekalb county detective headquarters located in Tucker, GA to fill out their record expungement form and get a copy of your arrest records. Then from there, you must take that form and the records over to the jail in Decatur and turn that in at their records window which is up the stairs to your left. There is a $50 fee at the jail to do the expungement. Once you receive the information in the mail from Dekalb, you may then go to the GBI to have your record expunged at the state level.
The arresting agency should advise the applicant to forward the approved application to GCIC including the GCIC processing fee. Incomplete applications or those missing the required fee will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant. Do not forward the restriction application to GCIC
if the request is denied by the prosecutor.
Applicants may send the approved Request to Restrict Arrest Record form and $25.00 fee (money order or certified check payable to “Georgia Bureau of Investigation”) to:
Georgia Crime Information Center
Record Restrictions
P.O. Box 370808
Decatur, Georgia 30037-0808
GCIC will send an email notification to the applicant email address listed on Page 1 of the application when the restriction has been applied to the Georgia criminal history. GCIC does not mail notifications or provide copies of an approved Request to Restrict Arrest Record application.
To check the status of a request, contact the GCIC CCH/Identification Services Helpdesk
at (404) 244-2639, Option 1 or email gacriminalhistory@gbi.ga.gov - More information on GCIC
record expungement can be found here:
Lastly, we all know that when we google ourselves, we see those mugshots on google. It is really detrimental to getting a job or moving on with your life. Fortunately, you can have your picture removed from the websites for a fee if you were convicted, but if you have your record expunged or the charges were dropped, etc. then they will remove it for free if you show proof the charges were dropped. The difficulty with this is that you must google yourself and find out what websites have posted your photo, then go to the websites individually and find out their process for removing the photos.
Here is the new law signed in by Gov. Deal in 2012:
(d) (1) An individual who was:
(A) Arrested for an offense under the laws of this state but subsequent to such arrest is released by the arresting agency without such offense being referred to the prosecuting attorney for prosecution; or
(B) After such offense referred to the proper prosecuting attorney, and the prosecuting attorney dismisses the charges without seeking an indictment or filing an accusation
may request the original agency in writing to expunge the records of such arrest, including any fingerprints or photographs of the individual taken in conjunction with such arrest, from the agency files. Such request shall be in such form as the center shall prescribe. Reasonable fees shall be charged by the original agency and the center for the actual costs of the purging of such records, provided that such fees shall not exceed $50.00.
(2) Upon receipt of such written request, the agency shall provide a copy of the request to the proper prosecuting attorney. Upon receipt of a copy of the request to expunge a criminal record, the prosecuting attorney shall promptly review the request to determine if it meets the criteria for expungement set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection. If the request meets those criteria, the prosecuting attorney shall review the records of the arrest to determine if any of the material contained therein must be preserved in order to protect the constitutional rights of an accused under Brady v. Maryland.
(3) An individual has the right to have his or her record of such arrest expunged, including any fingerprints or photographs of the individual taken in conjunction with such arrest, if the prosecuting attorney determines that the following criteria have been satisfied:
(A) The charge was dismissed under the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection;
(B) No other criminal charges are pending against the individual; and
(C) The individual has not been previously convicted of the same or similar offense under the laws of this state, the United States, or any other state within the last five years, excluding any period of incarceration.
(4) The agency shall expunge the record by destroying the fingerprint cards, photographs, and documents relating exclusively to such person. Any material which cannot be physically destroyed or which the prosecuting attorney determines must be preserved under Brady v. Maryland shall be restricted by the agency and shall not be subject to disclosure to any person except by direction of the prosecuting attorney or as ordered by a court of record of this state.
(5) It shall be the duty of the agency to notify promptly the center of any records which are expunged pursuant to this subsection. Upon receipt of notice from an agency that a record has been expunged, the center shall, within a reasonable time, restrict access to the criminal history of such person relating to such charge. Records for which access is restricted pursuant to this subsection shall be made available only to criminal justice officials upon written application for official judicial law enforcement or criminal investigative purposes.
(6) If the agency declines to expunge such arrest record, the individual may file an action in the superior court where the agency is located as provided in Code Section 50-13-19. A decision of the agency shall be upheld only if it is determined by clear and convincing evidence that the individual did not meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection or subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (7) of this subsection. The court in its discretion may award reasonable court costs including attorney's fees to the individual if he or she prevails in the appellate process. Any such action shall be served upon the agency, the center, the prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction over the offense sought to be expunged, and the Attorney General who may become parties to the action.
(7) After the filing of an indictment or an accusation, a record shall not be expunged if the prosecuting attorney shows that the charges were nolle prossed, dead docketed, or otherwise dismissed because:
(A) Of a plea agreement resulting in a conviction for an offense arising out of the same underlying transaction or occurrence as the conviction;
(B) The government was barred from introducing material evidence against the individual on legal grounds including but not limited to the grant of a motion to suppress or motion in limine;
(C) A material witness refused to testify or was unavailable to testify against the individual unless such witness refused to testify based on his or her statutory right to do so;
(D) The individual was incarcerated on other criminal charges and the prosecuting attorney elected not to prosecute for reasons of judicial economy;
(E) The individual successfully completed a pretrial diversion program, the terms of which did not specifically provide for expungement of the arrest record;
(F) The conduct which resulted in the arrest of the individual was part of a pattern of criminal activity which was prosecuted in another court of this state, the United States, another state, or foreign nation; or
(G) The individual had diplomatic, consular, or similar immunity or inviolability from arrest or prosecution.
(8) If the prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction determines that the records should not be expunged because the criteria set forth in paragraph (3) or subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (7) of this subsection were not met, and the agency or center fails to follow the prosecuting attorney's recommendation, the prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction over the offense sought to be expunged or the Attorney General may appeal a decision by the agency or center to expunge a criminal history as provided in Code Section 50-13-19.
(9) An individual who has been indicted or charged by accusation that was subsequently dismissed, dead docketed, or nolle prossed may request an expungement as provided by paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection; provided, however, that if the prosecuting attorney objects to the expungement request within 60 days after receiving a copy of said request from the agency, the agency shall decline to expunge and the individual shall have the right to appeal as provided by paragraph (6) of this subsection.
(10) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring the destruction of incident reports or other records that a crime was committed or reported to law enforcement. Further, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to apply to custodial records maintained by county or municipal jail or detention centers. It shall be the duty of the agency to take such action as may be reasonable to prevent disclosure of information to the public which would identify such person whose records were expunged.
(e) Agencies, including the center, at which criminal offender records are sought to be inspected may prescribe reasonable hours and places of inspection and may impose such additional procedures, fees not to exceed $3.00, or restrictions including fingerprinting as are reasonably necessary to assure the records' security, to verify the identities of those who seek to inspect them, and to maintain an orderly and efficient mechanism for inspection of records.
(f) The provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," shall not apply to proceedings under this Code section.
(g) If the center has notified a firearms dealer that a person is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a handgun pursuant to Part 5 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 and if the prohibition is the result of such person's being involuntarily hospitalized within the immediately preceding five years, upon such person or his or her attorney making an application to inspect his or her records, the center shall provide the record of involuntary hospitalization and also inform the person or attorney of his or her right to a hearing before the judge of the probate court or superior court relative to such person's eligibility to possess or transport a handgun.
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
Business Owners:
For business owners: It’s hard to hire good people; hiring returning citizens can effectively be done and by employing these people. They become tax payers instead of liabilities; safer communities result, employees become loyal and more community based, prosperous businesses are cultivated. Participants rebuild themselves by acquiring and keeping a good job, learning positive workplace behaviors and skills and regain self confidence as they assume a productive role in society.
Benefits to employers:
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The Georgia Work Opportunity Tax Credit allows an employer to reduce his or her taxes by hiring individuals in certain “target groups”. Ex-felons fall into this category. The employer can deduct a percentage of the first $6,000 in wages; there is no limit to the number of hires that can qualify for the tax savings.
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Federal Bonding Program: Fidelity bonding is employee dishonesty insurance that protects employers against embezzlement, larceny, forgery or theft by employees. The bonding program provides individual fidelity bonds to employers for job applicants.
Learn more about both programs:
Individuals: Individuals can help provide essential components of addressing the issues and barriers for returning citizens. Through life-coaching and engagement as a volunteer with providers of services such as transportation, housing, employment, health care. You have an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life. That’s powerful!
