OFFENDER REENTRY: HELPING CLIENTS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS October 13, 2006 Kalamazoo, Michigan

Why Should You Care About People with Criminal Records?

Many Low-Income People Have Criminal Records About 15% of Michigan adults have a criminal record (serious misdemeanor or felony that will show up on background check). One in 37 adults has prison experience. Over 14,000 people in Michigan return to the community from prison each year. Many offenders are low-income. 50% of prisoners have less than high school education, and 15-27% will end up homeless.

People of Color and Mentally Ill Disproportionately Affected 53% of MI prisoners are African-American, though only 14% of population. 14% of those released from prison are mentally ill. 84% of offenders were involved with drugs and alcohol at time of offense.

Criminal Records are One of Biggest Barriers Our Clients Face People with criminal records face many of the same challenges as other low-income people. However, people with criminal records don’t have access to many of the same opportunities to get out of poverty.

Major Criminal Record Barriers Employment Housing Family Law and Child Support Public Benefits Student Loans/Government training programs Immigration Fees and Fines

How Do You Get a Criminal Record? Michigan State Police: Internet Criminal History Access Tool Local police records Department of Corrections: Offender Tracking and Information System Private background screening companies FBI fingerprint records

Employment

Why consider barriers to employment? 2/3 employers won’t hire people with criminal records 80% large / 66% small employers do background checks Reduced wages increase recidivism

Statutory Barriers to Employment State and Federal Laws and policies prevent employment of people with convictions in many jobs.

Jobs Likely to Limit Employment of People with Criminal Records Working with or near children Working with or near vulnerable adults Licensed Professions Security-related fields Transportation-related fields Jobs hired or paid by Government

Check Whether Your Client is Really Ineligible to Work Laws barring the employment of people with criminal records in particular industries are very complicated. Laws often depend on the exact conviction and whether or not your client has a history working in the field. Appeals process may be available.

Strategies to Help People with Criminal Records Find Work Screen clients for expungement. Refer to Legal Aid. Check records for accuracy. Assist clients in removing inaccurate or duplicative information. Appeal denials of occupational licenses. Refer to Legal Aid. Don’t assume that ineligible to work. Check with Legal Aid. Rehabilitation helps: Get clients in substance abuse treatment, counseling, anger management, etc. Clients who are denied work/fired based on a blanket no-felon policy may have a race discrimination claim: refer to Legal Aid

Expungement: Giving Clients a Fresh Start

Expungement – who is eligible? 1 conviction only 5 years from conviction or release, whichever is longer Juveniles must be at least 24 Discretionary with the court

Some offenses can’t be expunged Offenses punishable by life imprisonment (regardless of actual sentence) CSC 1, CSC 2, CSC 3, assault with intent to commit CSC Traffic offenses reportable to the Secretary of State Non-traffic offenses reportable to SOS may be expunged but SOS still keeps a record.

CLEANING UP RECORDS: RECORD INACCURACY Many records are inaccurate. Criminal record identity theft convictions: estimated 400,000 victims. ICHAT mismatches: ICHAT searches on name, gender and year of birth

Correcting Inaccurate Records: Step 1 First determine what record was used. – Michigan State Police ICHAT – Local Police – Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS – Private Screening Company – FBI Error in one means likely that there are errors in others too.

Correcting Inaccurate Records: Step 2 Determine what type of error there is: – Inaccurate information about client’s convictions or missing disposition – Arrest that did not lead to conviction – Conviction that doesn’t belong to client

Correcting Inaccurate Records: Incorrect Information about Client’s Convictions Get copies of court documents showing actual convictions Send documents to agency that produced the criminal record

Correcting Inaccurate Records: Conviction Doesn’t Belong to Client For ICHAT records: client must get fingerprinted and do a record challenge. For OTIS records: may require amendment of judgment of sentence. Contact DOC. For private records: first correct ICHAT record and then demand correction from private company. For FBI records: must clear in the state where the conviction occurred.

Correcting Inaccurate Records: Reporting of Arrests Not Leading to Conviction Pending cases can be reported. Individuals who are arrested and not charged, or who are found not guilty should file a motion for return of fingerprints to get this information off their record.

Housing Stable housing is critical to successful re-entry and to family reunification

Consequences: Loss of Housing Options Any convictions will make it harder to find housing – landlords can refuse to rent. However, a landlord cannot evict individual who has a valid lease just because person has a criminal record. Certain convictions will result in denial of subsidized housing. However, many people with records, including felony records, are eligible for subsidized housing. If new criminal activity, entire family can be evicted, not just offender.

Convictions that Impact Subsidized Housing Mandatory eviction and denial of admission – Life-time Sex Offender Registration Offenses – Methamphetamine Production Possible eviction and denial of eviction – Drug crimes – Alcohol abuse – Crimes that threaten well-being of other residents (most other crimes)

Housing Authorities Should Consider Rehabilitation and Age of the Conviction Housing authority (in non-mandatory cases) can consider mitigating factors, like rehabilitation. For admission cases, consideration of conviction (in non-mandatory cases) is limited to a “reasonable time” after conviction.

If Substance Abuse, Pursue Rehab For some drug or alcohol related activities, housing authority may accept defendant, if defendant completes rehabilitation program approved by the Housing Authority. Find out what program(s) are approved by Housing Authority.

Sex Offender Registry Exclusion Zone Applies to Anyone on Sex Offender Registry – Michigan registry very broad. – Client may be on for “Romeo-and-Juliet” offenses, prostitution, public urination, etc. Can’t live within 1000 feet of school property Some exceptions, primarily for young offenders May be unconstitutional

Strategies to Help People with Criminal Records Find and Keep Housing Screen clients for expungement. Refer to Legal Aid. Check records for accuracy. Assist clients in removing inaccurate or duplicative information. Assist clients to appeal denials of admission to subsidized housing, or refer to Legal Aid. Refer eviction cases to Legal Aid. Educate parole/probation that not all offenders are ineligible for subsidized housing. Rehabilitation helps: Get clients in substance abuse treatment, counseling, anger management, etc.

Child Support and Parental Rights Does your client have children? Pay support? Have custody?

Child Support Best to address before incarceration: – $28,000 average arrearage for prisoners – Difficult to get reduced after released – Up to 65% of wages taken to pay support after released. – Can increase risk of losing parental rights – Prevent later bench warrants and incarceration

Actions to Take if Client Who Pays Support is Being Incarcerated Request reduction or cancellation of child support payments ASAP Self-help kits available

Strategies if Client Already Owes Substantial Back Child Support Client can file motion to reduce amount of payments; but will normally be based on child support guidelines. To reduce the actual amount owed, first find out if owed to the state or other parent. If owed to the state, client may be able to: – Ask for an “incarceration credit” from the Friend of the Court – Make reasonable payments for 2 years, and get rest of debt forgiven If owed to the other parent, need other parent’s consent to reduce or eliminate back support.

Parental Rights Termination Parental Rights can be terminated if: Serious crime against child Child in foster care 15 out of last 22 months unless compelling reason not to terminate Parent in prison 2+ years and did not provide for child’s care and custody Parent did not provide for child’s care and custody, and there is no reasonable expectation that parent will provide proper care/custody within reasonable time (which may be shorter than 2 years)

Actions to Take Where Parent Facing Prison Time Client should give someone legal authority to care for client’s children. Best option depends on individual circumstances. Two options for placing children with relatives are: 1. Parental Power of Attorney “Temporary Authorization of Kinship Care” Forms available in materials Good for 6 months at a time – no court required 2. Guardianship Requires court order Guardian must file reports with court

Public Benefits

Incarceration and Benefits Federal benefits (Social Security/ SSI) will stop while an individual is incarcerated (although benefits to a retired or disabled person’s dependents should continue). Very short term incarceration may not effect benefits.

Drug Related Felonies and Benefits Federal law permanently bars anyone with a drug- related felony conviction from receiving certain benefits during his or her lifetime. – Covers TANF benefits (traditional cash benefits for parents & children) – Food stamps Michigan has “opted out” of this bar, but other states still have it. Client who are looking to move to other states may be affected.

“Fleeing Felons” and Parole Violators If client has an outstanding felony warrant OR is violating a condition of probation OR parole then Disqualified From: - TANF (Cash for families) – SSI (cash based on age/disability) – Food Stamps – Subsidized housing Refer these cases to Legal Aid

Selective Service Registration Problems Individuals are sometimes denied government benefits, access to government- funded training programs, or student loans because they failed to register with the Selective Service. Individuals who were incarcerated during the registration period need to file a request for a Status Information Letter with the Selective Service.

Student Loans & Financial Aid Violation of federal or state law involving possession OR use of controlled substance Results in denial of federal financial aid for specified time May be able to reduce time if complete approved rehabilitation program.

Student Financial Aid Tips  Tell your clients to attend a relevant treatment programs in order to prove rehabilitation for purposes of financial aid.

What can you do? Learn about barriers facing people with criminal records Help clean up criminal records: screen for expungement and inaccurate records When you see potential legal issues, refer clients to – and/or consult with – Legal Aid Recommend participation in treatment programs

Tools for Your Practice Training Resources On Line Resources – – – Resource People

Presenter Miriam Aukerman Reentry Law Project Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) x 114