NCJ Number
60183
Editor(s)
N DORSEN
Date Published
1979
Length
238 pages
Annotation
THIS GUIDE FOR EX-OFFENDERS SETS FORTH THEIR RIGHTS AND OFFERS SUGGESTIONS ON HOW THEY CAN PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS AND CHANGE EXISTING LEGAL RESTRICTIONS (CIVIL DISABILITIES).
Abstract
THROUGH THE USE OF A QUESTION AND ANSWER FORMAT, THIS GUIDE PROVIDES EX-OFFENDERS WITH INFORMATION ON THEIR RIGHTS IN SUCH AREAS AS CITIZENSHIP, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS; DOMESTIC RIGHTS IN DIVORCE, MARRIAGE, THE RIGHT TO HAVE CHILDREN, AND THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THEIR NAMES; THE RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS; PROPERTY, INSURANCE, PENSIONS, CONTRACTS, AND VARIOUS MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS; AND THE RIGHT TO BE A JUROR OR A WITNESS. AN EXAMINATION OF THE PURPOSES OF STATE AND LOCAL STATUES REQUIRING EX-OFFENDERS TO REGISTER WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS SUGGESTS THAT THERE ARE LEGAL GROUNDS FOR CHALLENGING SUCH LAWS. STUDIES OF STATE AND FEDERAL PROVISIONS FOR RESTORING THE RIGHTS OF EX-OFFENDERS CONCLUDE THAT NONE OF THE CURRENT METHODS, SUCH AS PARDONS, AMNESTY, REPRIEVES, COMMUTATIONS, EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS, AND THE AUTOMATIC RESTORATION OF RIGHTS, ARE ADEQUATE, AND PROPOSED REFORMS ARE SUGGESTED. THE ROLES THAT COURTS AND LEGISLATURES CAN PLAY IN RESTORING THE RIGHTS OF EX-OFFENDERS CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION OF EX-OFFENDERS INTO SOCIETY. STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWNS ON STATUTES AND LEGAL OPINIONS ON VOTING RIGHTS AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING RESTRICTIONS ARE APPENDED, ALONG WITH LISTS OF ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHTOUT THE COUNTRY THAT PROVIDE LEGAL AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO EX-OFFENDERS. CHAPTER REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)