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: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Federal prisoners lacking identification documents
Estimated Size: 66000
- The bill targets individuals who are currently incarcerated in federal prisons (under the Bureau of Prisons) who do not have essential identification documents.
- It impacts both U.S. citizens and non-citizens by helping them obtain required identification before they are released.
- The number of federal prisoners can be used as an estimate for the population impacted.
- According to data sources such as the Bureau of Prisons, as of recent years, there are approximately 150,000 individuals in federal custody at any time, but this number can fluctuate due to releases and new admissions annually.
- Having identification is crucial for reintegration into society, impacting individuals' ability to find housing, employment, and access public services.
- Noncitizens having documents proving lawful status or employment authorization will also have significant implications for their ability to legally reside and work in the U.S. after release.
Reasoning
- The New Pathways Act primarily impacts the population of federal prisoners lacking proper identification, estimated at 150,000 individuals, including approximately 66,000 U.S. citizens. The policy aims to equip these individuals with necessary ID documents, crucial for their reintegration.
- The focus is broad, covering both U.S. and non-citizens within federal custody. Success can lower recidivism and improve post-release opportunities, such as employment, housing, and access to services.
- Constraints include the policy's budget, which necessitates prioritizing the most impactful aid per individual given yearly budget constraints ($20M initially, $178M over ten years).
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting my IDs would definitely help me get back on my feet faster.
- Right now, I'm hitting a lot of walls trying to find a job without any ID.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Customer service (Florida)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If I got proper documentation, I could find stable work and support my family.
- Without proper ID, I’m constantly worried about being employed illegally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Professional (New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need documentation to apply for higher-paid jobs; lack of ID is holding me back.
- Not having citizenship proof is isolating me from many opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retail (California)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve had a hard time proving my identity to employers, having an ID would help a ton.
- These IDs would help me get away from living paycheck to paycheck.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Construction laborer (Ohio)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm constantly anxious about working illegally and deportation.
- Documentation would secure my illegal status, allowing me to live without fear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Student (Illinois)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without these IDs, I've been struggling to secure financial aid and part-time jobs.
- I’m stuck in school due to lack of ID to support myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Freelance writer (Arizona)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A proper ID means I can sign contracts for better jobs.
- Not having legal ID is severely limiting my career growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Tech worker (Nevada)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting my IDs back would help stabilize areas like my work cruise.
- These IDs are critical to retain employment and benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Caregiver (New York)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without proper documents, I am unable to provide stable care for my grandchild.
- Gaining ID can change everything for caregiving purposes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Sales associate (Florida)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Working without papers means risks and insecurities.
- Legal documentation could help me move up the ladder in my job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 3: $18000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $22000000)
Year 5: $18000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $22000000)
Year 10: $16000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- The impact on recidivism rates could lower long-term state and federal costs associated with repeated incarceration.
- Budgeting must ensure adequate training and coordination efforts with external agencies.
- The effective implementation could serve as a model for state-level prisons, enhancing broader societal impacts.