More than 21,000 IDs Issued to Returning Citizens

Commissioner: Timothy C. Ward

Director of Public Affairs: Joan Heath

Partnership with Georgia Department of Driver Services

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), have been providing a DDS Identification Card (ID) or DDS renewed Driver’s License (DL) to returning citizens upon their release since 2016.  In Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) over 6,500 ID’s were issued, bringing the total since inception to more than 21,000. 

“Through this partnership with DDS, we can provide returning citizens an opportunity to be released with official identification, which will greatly improve their chances of securing employment and housing when returning to their communities,” said Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. "Our goal is to provide returning citizens with every resource available to assist them in their re-entry process.”  

The joint partnership includes three phases of issuances: Phase I – Returning citizens who have a current and valid DDS record on file are reissued a state identification card or driver’s license, distributed by GDC upon the offender’s release; Phase II – Returning citizens who have a DDS record but lack Real ID documentation receive assistance from GDC in obtaining an original birth certificate or other required documentation; and, Phase III – DDS provides on-site mobile issuance to returning offenders who require photographs and signatures for state ID issuance. 

“Providing state identification cards for returning individuals prior to their release eliminates a huge obstacle for those who want to restart their lives and be positive contributors to their communities. This partnership with GDC is a key component to eliminating the patterns that result in recidivism,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore.

For more information about the Georgia Department of Corrections Transitional Services program please our Reentry & Cognitive Programming page.

About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.