Reentry Guidebook 2020 A publication of the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office’s Project Reentry and Criminal Defense Resource Center Copyright © 2020 Michigan State Appellate Defender Office PREFACE The 2020 edition of the Reentry Guidebook has been in production for three years and was developed by SADO’s Project Reentry. Project Reentry was formed in 2016 in direct response to the needs of our clients returning home from long stays of incarceration. Reentry back into the community for any formerly incarcerated person can be difficult and can be especially difficult for individuals who serve lengthy incarceration stays. Individuals coming home from prison or jail need assistance with identifying community support, learning how to use technology, developing skills to manage finances, finding reliable transportation or obtaining a driver’s license, applying for public benefits, finding employment and housing, and much more. This Guidebook attempts to capture the basic information needed to navigate the sometimes-complicated procedures for obtaining basic needs, such as housing, identification, employment, and education. We hope our client population, and those supporting and serving them, will find this Guidebook useful. Format. Each chapter contains its own table of contents and cross-references, allowing quick identification of useful material. Key word searching is available on all of our online materials. Date Coverage. The Guidebook contains information updated through February 2020. Updates and Internet Coverage. The printed edition is updated and published annually. An electronic version is located on www.sado.org. Questions, Comments, or Feedback. Users of the Reentry Guidebook may address questions, comments, and all feedback to: Marilena David-Martin Deputy Director, State Appellate Defender Office 645 Griswold, 3300 Penobscot Building Detroit, Michigan 48226 313-256-9833 [email protected] iii CRIMINAL DEFENSE RESOURCES IN MICHIGAN Attorneys who represent individuals charged with or convicted of crimes in Michigan’s state or federal courts may take advantage of the comprehensive support services provided by the Criminal Defense Resource Center (formerly, the Legal Resources Project). For a quarter century, the CDRC has provided the tools needed for effective representation, all at very low cost. CDRC is funded through the State Appellate Defender Office. In the past, CDRC has received period funding from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, the Michigan State Bar Foundation, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. CDRC support services include: • The Criminal Defense Newsletter, published monthly and distributed in hard and electronic copy, covering developing issues, new laws and court opinions, pleadings of interest, local successes and practice tips; • The Defender Trial, Sentencing, Motions, Habeas, and Appellate Books, comprehensive manuals that summarize, analyze and organize the law from arrest through appeal and beyond; • Manuals and guidebooks on Commutation, Evidence, Sentencing, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and Reentry. • Databases of the CDRC Web site, www.sado.org, including expert witness database, a police misconduct database, a brief bank, opinion summaries, the Defender Books, Criminal Defense Newsletter, and much more, all searchable by key word; • Access to the Forum, the CDRC’s online discussion group of hundreds of criminal defense attorneys, including a searchable archive of e-mail messages and a unique database of reposited materials; and • Multiple complimentary training events throughout the state each year, and archived online. Additional information about these services is available at www.sado.org or by phone at (313) 256-9833. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The 2020 edition of the Reentry Guidebook was made possible through the efforts of many devoted and talented people. Special thanks to the project team of: Motoki Taniguchi, Danielle Motley, Elizabeth Stapleton, Alison Brokke, Alec DeNuccio, Haley Kiser, Antoinette James, Olivia Haas, Caitlin McGee, Brooke Wolters, Claire Nagel, Anitha Mohan, Holly Wickham, Allison Gorine, Annetta Joyce, Kate Yugo, Caitlin Stadler, Jose Hernandez, Fatma Hodroge, and Jonathan Perkins, 2016-2018 Project Reentry team members, and Emma Weinstein-Levey, 2019-2020 Project Reentry team member. Frank Rodriguez, for providing invaluable insight and content; Bill Moy and Heather A. Waara, for word processing, layout and distribution assistance; Eric Buchanan, for website and database development; Joanne Moritz, for fielding phone inquiries about the guidebook; Katherine Root, for supervising the Project Reentry team and project; Marilena David-Martin, for managing Project Reentry and overseeing the development of the guidebook; Jonathan Sacks, for supporting Project Reentry and the guidebook’s publication; and All formerly incarcerated individuals and our clients who have come home. We also thank the following people and organizations who have contributed knowledge or information to Project Reentry, our clients, and to this guidebook: • Rick Speck and Mario Bueno, Luck Inc. • Natalie Holbrook, Korbin Felder, and Demetrius Titus, American Friends Service Committee • Monica Jahner, A.R.R.O. • Joe Williams and June Walker, Out4Life • Tom Adams and Jessica Taylor, Chance for Life • Anna Kohn, Recovery Park • Denise Harris, Prison Fellowship • Calvin Prison Initiative, Calvin College • Troy Rienstra, Safe & Just Michigan • Allen Lee, Restaurant Opportunities Center of Detroit • Fresh Coast Alliance • The Michigan Department of Corrections v Reentry Guidebook (2020) TABLE OF CONTENTS Process for Juvenile Lifer and Special Paroles ............................................... xiv Reentry Checklist.................................................................................................... xvi Resources for Exonerees ..................................................................................... xviii Chapter 1: Parole ....................................................................................................... 1 Parole Overview ....................................................................................... 1 How to Prepare for Your Interview with the Parole Board .................... 1 Questions to Consider Prior to Your Interview with the Parole Board . 2 Tips to Remember During Your Interview with the Parole Board ........ 2 Getting a Parole ....................................................................................... 2 Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................... 3 Can I move to another county while on parole?................................. 3 How do I change my parole supervision to another state? ................ 4 MDOC Definitions .............................................................................. 4 What are supervision fees? ................................................................. 4 Can I travel to different areas in Michigan while on parole? ........... 5 Can I interact with other individuals who have a criminal record while on parole or probation? .............................. 6 How should I interact with my parole agent? .................................... 6 What do I do once I come home from prison? .................................... 6 Chapter 2: Identification and Other Key Documents ....................................... 7 Key Documents Overview ........................................................................ 7 Proof of Incarceration ............................................................................... 7 Birth Certificate ....................................................................................... 7 How to Apply for Your Birth Certificate ............................................ 8 While Incarcerated ....................................................................... 8 After Incarceration ........................................................................ 8 Frequently Asked Questions .............................................................. 9 How much does it cost?.................................................................. 9 How long does it take? ................................................................... 9 What if the name on my birth certificate is different from other documentation, such as my Social Security Card or Prison ID? ............................ 9 Social Security Card ............................................................................... 10 How to Apply for Your Social Security Card ................................... 10 While Incarcerated ...................................................................... 10 After Incarceration ...................................................................... 10 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................ 11 How much does it cost?................................................................ 11 How long does it take? ................................................................. 11 vii Reentry Guidebook (2020) Chapter 2: Identification and Other Key Documents (continued) Driver’s License or State ID Card ......................................................... 11 How to Apply for Your Driver’s License ........................................... 11 Steps to Obtain a Driver’s License ................................................... 12 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................ 14 How much does