SALT FACT SHEET
ID Access
Across Virginia, many recently incarcerated people do not have access to identification, due to the stringent requirements set by the REAL ID Act and VA DMV.
The DMV requires a person to provide several pieces of documentation including: 1 proof of social security number, 1 proof of legal presence, 1 proof of identification, and 2 proofs of VA residency. Additionally, there is a $10-16 dollar fee.
Studies have found that the rate of homelessness among the recently released is 10 times that of the general population. Once a person is homeless, it becomes incredibly difficult for them to gather the required documentation and funds to receive an ID. It is especially challenging to prove residency, since PO Boxes and business addresses do not count.
Without an ID, recently released people cannot:
- Fill out an I-9 to get a job
- Fill a prescription
- Rent an apartment/ hotel room
- Access money in a bank account
Lack of ID virtually forces people into homelessness where they are more likely to be reincarcerated. Homeless people are more likely to have interactions with law enforcement, and many activities (loitering for example) become potential offenses. Without ID, a person can be detained under suspicion of giving a false name.
Virginia has a program to help inmates receive ID, but it is inefficient and inconsistent.
DMV Connect allows DMV employees to visit correctional facilities and act as a mobile DMV office, issuing IDs to people with the right documentation.
DMV Connect is most consistent at state prisons, with an average of 1 visit every 60 days with 15 IDs issued per visit. However, there is significant variation per facility.
Lawrenceville Prison, a medium security facility with a population of approximately 1590, was only visited 3 times in 2019. 18 IDs were issued.
Jails and Sheriff’s offices account for 1/3 of the incarcerated population in Virginia, but only 24.5% of the IDs issued in 2019.
- 43 jails and sheriff’s offices (60.5%) were not visited in 2019
- Fewer IDs per visit were granted in 2019 (15.17 in prisons vs 11.76 in Jails and Sheriff’s offices)
- Sheriff’s Offices and Jails have higher turnover rates, so large gaps between visits effect more people
- For example: In 2018 Western Tidewater Jail held approximately 661 inmates per day, but admitted 5951. Western Tidewater Jail has been visited by DMV Connect once between 2012 and today, issuing 6 IDs.
There are multiple potential causes for this inconsistency (a lack of resources, or the high level of coordination between different arms of government), but there is one result: People are being denied a fair chance to rebuild their lives.
- In 2019, one Richmond based group helped recently incarcerated people receive over 1100 IDs and Birth Certificates.
There is a simple solution that will reduce the burden on the state and the people being released from jail.
A policy of 1 for 1 exchange. Upon release, people may present proof of their incarceration (an offender information form or prison ID) to a DMV office and receive a state ID for free.
This will reduce the need of the state to coordinate with individual facilities and guarantee access to ID for all Virginians returning from incarceration.
November 15, 2019