Among the central findings of the study is that the dissemination of arrest and conviction records creates unreasonable consequences for ex-offenders seeking employment, housing, public assistance and the right to vote. The result, the study suggests, is a state system that produces unavoidable roadblocks for ex-offenders, making recidivism more likely. Collateral Consequences provides nonprofit agencies, volunteer lawyers and others the legal background and authorities for the representation of clients who have these problems.

“Existing state law and policy in Georgia creates crippling barriers for ex-offenders who try to get their lives back on track, increasing the rate of recidivism and producing unreasonable social and economic strains on Georgia taxpayers,” Dennard said.

Georgia is ranked as the third worst state in the country for the number of legal barriers facing people with criminal records, according to a recent national study by the Legal Action Center in Washington, D.C. Compounding this problem is the fact that, as of June 30, 2005, Georgia had the second highest incarceration rate in the country. The overall impact of these barriers to reentry for ex-offenders – or even those simply arrested but not convicted – constitutes a significant social and economic drain on the country and particularly the state of Georgia, the study suggests. The Georgia Department of Corrections has estimated that reducing the recidivism rate in Georgia by 1 percent would save Georgia taxpayers $7 million a year.

"This book systematically explores and seeks solutions to the most serious problem facing the American penal system today – reintegration of inmates into society when their terms are completed," said Charles A. Shanor, professor at Emory University School of Law. "This study deserves careful bipartisan action by policymakers looking to avoid a scandalous waste of lives and to reduce the enormous costs of incarceration."

Funded by the Georgia Bar Foundation through a grant to Mercer Law School, the study was written by Dennard and Patrick C. DiCarlo, a partner at Alston & Bird. The book is dedicated to the late Judge Griffin B. Bell. It was published by Mercer Law School under the direction of Tim Floyd, director of Mercer's Law and Public Service Program.

To order a copy of the book, call Mercer Law School at 478-301-5000.

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