Michigan Expands Reentry ID Program to Wayne County, A Lifeline for Detroiters Returning Home

September 29, 2025

Michigan has expanded its reentry ID program to Wayne County, ensuring people leaving the county jail can obtain driver's licenses or state identification cards upon release. The program, operating since 2020, has already provided identification to approximately 20,000 individuals exiting Michigan prisons and jails. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson emphasized that having an ID is critical for accessing employment, housing, and educational opportunities after incarceration.

Who is affected

People leaving Wayne County jail (1,300-1,500 individuals housed daily)
Black residents of Detroit and Wayne County (nearly three-quarters of those detained in Wayne County Jail are Black)
Families of incarcerated individuals who previously had to help obtain identification documents
Communities in Detroit facing higher rates of incarceration
Returning citizens attempting to reintegrate into society

What action is being taken

Michigan is expanding its reentry ID program to Wayne County
The state is providing identification cards to individuals leaving incarceration
The program is addressing the lack of identification that affects approximately 60% of people in Wayne County jail
The state is continuing program implementation through executive action despite legislative setbacks
Community groups like Detroit-based H.O.P.E. are supporting reentry by addressing systemic barriers

Why it matters

Identification is essential for employment, housing, education, cashing paychecks, and accessing benefits
Lack of ID can push people back into cycles of instability and increase recidivism
For Black residents, consequences of not having identification are compounded by over-policing and racial profiling
Michigan's recidivism rate is at a historic low of 21%, partly attributed to programs like this
The program reduces the burden on families and communities who previously had to navigate obtaining documents
Having ID enables returning citizens to participate in civic life, including voting

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle