Bill Overview
Title: New Pathways Act
Description: This bill revises existing requirements for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to help prisoners obtain identification documents prior to their release. With respect to U.S. citizens, the BOP must obtain and provide a Social Security card, a proof of U.S. citizenship document, and a photo identification card. With respect to noncitizens, the BOP must help obtain proof of lawful status and, if applicable, an employment authorization document.
Sponsors: Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Target Audience
Population: Prisoners in the United States approaching release
Estimated Size: 40000
- The bill targets prisoners in the U.S. who are about to be released, focusing on obtaining critical identification documents for them.
- Both U.S. citizens and non-citizens who are prisoners at the federal level will benefit from this bill.
- Federal prisons house approximately 150,000 inmates at any given time, though the exact number fluctuates year by year.
- A portion of the prison population may already have identification or may not be released within the period the act covers, so the affected group is a subset of the federal prison population.
Reasoning
- The target population mainly consists of U.S. citizens and non-citizens in federal prisons nearing release, where about 33% of the population will be impacted within the duration of the policy's first year.
- Given the constraints, we must explore how the policy affects an array of demographics, such as citizens, non-citizens, males, females, different occupations pre-arrest, etc.
- To get an accurate simulation, we should include people who are directly affected and those who are indirectly impacted, such as family members or employers of prisoners.
Simulated Interviews
Former plumber (Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act will greatly reduce my post-release stress.
- Acquiring IDs while in prison will help me start job hunting immediately after I get out.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Former retail worker (California)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not having to navigate bureaucracy for IDs reduces anxiety greatly.
- I hope this means I can get back to my child faster with less paperwork issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Former truck driver (Florida)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will finally help prevent falling through the cracks again.
- I can focus on staying out and working, not just on gaining paperwork.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 2 |
Former office administrator (New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having IDs ready will help reintegrate faster into society and find employment.
- Life after prison will be less chaotic with this help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Consultant before incarceration (Illinois)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This ensures I keep my work visa and employment upon release.
- It's crucial for planning my future without uncertainty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Student previously (Georgia)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Eases transition back to school or jobs without ID hassles.
- Removes a big barrier to rejoining society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Dentist before incarceration (Ohio)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having these IDs might help as I work to get my license reinstated.
- One less hurdle means one less reason not to return to my field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired military (Pennsylvania)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensures my honorable discharge and veteran's IDs are updated for benefits.
- Lowers the risk of bureaucratic errors as I transition back to civilian life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (New Mexico)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I can access student aid and loans without delay on release.
- Getting IDs early makes it easier to re-enroll.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small business owner before sentences (Nevada)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would help me resume my business activities sooner.
- Reduces the administrative delay that usually stalls my plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Federal-state cooperation for identity document issuance is critical for successful implementation.
- Potential legal challenges or delays could impact non-citizens' documentation processes, affecting cost estimates.
- While the primary goal is reducing recidivism, the actual effect may depend on broader societal support systems for former prisoners.