Restoration of Rights for Ex-Felons

On Saturday July 26, 2003 a free restoration of rights workshop for ex-felons was held in Fort Myers at the Dr. Carrie Robinson Center. The workshop was hosted by Lee County Working Group of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. At 3:P.M. a training session for volunteers was started. The workshop was scheduled to commence at 4: P.M.. It became necessary to close the doors to the building and place a sign announcing that the doors would open at 4. A group of ex-felons and volunteers waited at the door. Tables were arranged in the auditorium for volunteers to explain the process and to help ex-felons to complete their application for clemency. The workshop was covered by both newspaper and television.

This is just the beginning of the local effort to assist ex-felons. There is going to be additional efforts in other locations in the county ie. Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Sanibel, Bonita, & Lehigh Acres. The volunteers (mostly from the ACLU) will now be part of the network necessary to complete the job of assisting the ex-felons. This was not and is not a political or a racial issue. There were both white and black applicants seeing clemency. Publicity of the recent lawsuit ( that was won by ACLU and other organizations) charging the department of corrections with the failure to advise felons upon their discharge from custody of the method of appealing to the Clemency Board, Helped to spark interest in the workshop. The press release and public service announcements help to bring out the ex-felons seeking help. All ACLU members should be proud of the success of this workshop particularly members of the Lee County Chapter.

Restoration of Rights

In 1868 Florida passed a Constitutional amendment aimed at keeping the recently freed slaves from voting. This amendment not only made it impossible for felons to vote but felons who had served their time and left the constraints of parole or other supervision were deprived of other civil rights. They could not receive certain licenses that would have given them the opportunities to work in their chosen field of endeavor. In the 2000 election it has been reported that over 400,000 people lost their right to vote. Florida even swept the roles of other states that restored the rights of ex-felons and barred them from voting. Other abuses were reported such as barring citizens with similar names of ex-felons.

This is not a political issue. This is an issue of fairness. To restore the rights of ex-felons requires the passage of another constitutional amendment. The ACLU has led the way in forming a coalition of over thirty organizations who are working for the restoration of rights of ex-felons. There is a two pronged attack on the problem: FIRST: Attempt to get the State Legislature to pass such an amendment that would appear on the ballot in 2004. SECOND: Prepare a petition for signatures that would have the affect of placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Both attacks are difficult and the legislature is considering a bill that would make it more difficult to amend the constitution by petition. The proposed bill would increase the number of signatures required on the petition to get the issue on the ballot. I have suggested to the Miami office that we gather a group of members of some of the other organization and approach the local members of the legislature in person to person meeting. The purpose is to urge the passage of such a constitutional amendment for placement on the ballot at the next statewide election.

Richard Friedman