Restoration of Rights Summit

1
Restoration of Rights Summit

• Civil Rights Restoration Process

2
Effective/Ineffective Elements

• Effective Elements
• Governor and Cabinet changed the rules of
  clemency to increase the number of non- violent
  felons eligible for RCR
  
• RCR outreach efforts resulted in individuals
  throughout the State receiving personal,
  one-on-one service.
  
• A toll free RCR number operated by multi-lingual
  staff.
  
• Nonprofit organizations assisting individuals
  with RCR
  
• DC electronically providing FPC with a list of
  individuals exiting prison/supervision
  

3
Effective/Ineffective Elements

• Effective Elements Cont.
• FPC providing a list of all individuals who have
  received the restoration of their civil rights to
  the Division of Elections.
  
• Clemency applicants prior to a board hearing are
  given a copy of the investigative report
  
• DC providing information on RCR to felons upon
  release from prison and upon starting and ending
  supervision.
  
• ACLU providing a web based database to assist
  individuals with determining if their rights are
  restored.
  

4
Effective/Ineffective Elements

• Ineffective Elements
• All County jails do not uniformly or consistently
  provide RCR worksheets to felons
  
• Reduction in staff conducting the RCR eligibility
  review
  
• Criminal history database (NCIC/FCIC) not always
  correct
  
• No continuation of funding to perform RCR
  outreach or for multi-lingual staff for RCR 1-800
  number
  

5
Effective/Ineffective Elements

• Ineffective Elements
• FPC does not have staff to research the correct
  address of the ex-offender when mailed
  Certificates are returned.
  
• Division of Elections is not providing list of
  individuals with their rights restored to the
  supervisors of elections
  
• Supervisors of elections apparent confusion
  regarding voter registration for individuals with
  rights restored

6
Innovative Ideas

• FPC develop a web based database for ex-offenders
  to determine if their rights have been restored.
  
• Voters registration form be sent to the
  ex-offender with their RCR certificate
  
• FPC webpage provide statistics on RCR, reducing
  public records request
  
• Courts inform individuals if they are convicted
  of a felony they will lose their civil rights
  

7
Innovative Ideas

• Prerecorded multi-language menu options for RCR
  1-800 number
  
• Utilize the synergies available in government
  academic cooperation (internship)
  
• Engage additional nonprofit organizations with
  assisting individuals with RCR
  
• FDLE place RCR information on criminal database
  (NCIC/FCIC)
  
• FPC provide RCR poster to all county jails

8
Recommendations

• Division of Elections provide list of individuals
  with their rights restored to the supervisors of
  elections
  
• Adoption of Governors Ex-Offender Task Force
  recommendations to decouple rights restoration
  from employment eligibility issues. (See Fla.
  Senate Report 2008-114 and SB 2152)
• Payment of restitution to victims should not be a
  prerequisite for an ex-offender to obtain their
  civil rights. Outside the RCR process State
  officials should strengthen the mechanisms to
  facilitate the collection of victim restitution
• Explore convening the Clemency Board hearings
  throughout the state, or use video conferencing
  
  

9
Recommendations

• DC and County Jails establish partnerships with
  nonprofit organizations to assist offenders with
  RCR (Prison and Supervision)
  
• Civil Rights (Vote, Jury, Public Office) restored
  automatically (immediately) upon completion of
  incarceration or supervision except for firearm
  authority,
• ( Rules of Clemency 1975)
• Incorporate RCR information at entry to prison
  and throughout the offenders prison term
  
• Re-evaluate the requirement to solicit victim
  comments in RCR cases as opposed to other
  clemency cases.