State agencies partner on returning citizen initiative

The Michigan Department of State (DOS) and the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) this week announced a joint initiative to help those released from prison with a driver license or state ID.

“For formerly incarcerated individuals, obtaining ID is one of the biggest obstacles they face, and it’s also the first hurdle they have to cross before they can do anything else,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “This partnership removes that obstacle and helps returning citizens start off on the right track to reintegrating into their communities.”

A pilot of the program is already under way and initiative will be fully launched later this summer. Benson made the partnership a priority when she took office in 2019. Through the initiative, DOC will obtain required documents, paperwork and photos for individuals designated for parole and will send that info directly to DOS, where either a driver’s license or state ID will be processed.