This Act mandates the Bureau of Prisons to issue a REAL ID-compliant identification card, valid for at least 18 months, to all departing federal prisoners to facilitate access to essential federal services and state IDs.
Barry Moore
Representative
AL-1
The BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 mandates that the Bureau of Prisons issue a REAL ID-compliant photo identification card to all departing federal prisoners, valid for at least 18 months. This federal release card must be accepted for identity verification when accessing major federal benefits like Social Security, Medicaid, and SNAP. Furthermore, the BOP must establish agreements with states to help former inmates use this card to obtain standard state identification. The Attorney General will also issue guidance to states on creating similar release ID programs for state prisoners.
Federal Prison Bill Mandates REAL ID-Compliant Cards for Released Inmates, Unlocking Access to SNAP and Medicaid
The new BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 cuts straight to one of the biggest hurdles facing people leaving federal prison: getting an ID. This bill mandates that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must issue a specialized, photo ID card to every U.S. citizen being released from a federal facility. Crucially, this new ID must meet the minimum security standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005, meaning it’s a legitimate, federally recognized document, not just a prison pass.
The All-Access Pass for Re-Entry
Think about what you need an ID for: opening a bank account, applying for a job, signing a lease, getting healthcare. Without one, you’re stuck. This bill tackles that head-on by requiring the BOP to issue this ID no later than 180 days after the law passes. That ID is valid for at least 18 months, giving former prisoners a crucial window to get settled before it expires. This is a massive improvement over the current system, where people often leave custody with little more than a discharge paper, forcing them to spend weeks or months fighting bureaucracy just to prove who they are.
Benefits Access: No ID, No Problem (For Now)
The real game-changer is what this card unlocks. The bill explicitly requires that this new photo ID must be accepted by federal agencies as proof of identity for accessing major, life-sustaining programs. We’re talking about Social Security benefits (like disability), Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP (food stamps), and TANF (welfare) programs. For someone leaving prison, being able to immediately access healthcare and food assistance can be the difference between stability and returning to old habits. If you’re trying to manage a chronic condition or just put food on the table, this provision ensures the ID barrier doesn't stop you from getting the help you need.
The State-by-State Challenge
While the federal ID is great for immediate access, everyone eventually needs a standard state driver’s license or ID card. The bill requires the Director of the BOP to "work with every state" to create a system where this new federal release card can be used to help obtain a standard state ID. This is where things get a little squishy. The success of this provision relies entirely on state cooperation, and the bill doesn't specify what happens if a state drags its feet or refuses to play ball. The BOP must report to Congress annually on this progress, which at least keeps the pressure on, but it’s a known challenge in policy implementation.
The Ripple Effect: State Prisons Get Guidance
Beyond the federal system, the Act also aims to influence state correctional facilities. The Attorney General is required to issue guidance within one year to help states figure out how to issue similar photo ID cards for people leaving state prisons. While this is only guidance and not a mandate, it sets a clear federal precedent and provides a blueprint for states looking to improve re-entry outcomes. If adopted widely, this could dramatically reduce recidivism rates nationwide by removing the simple, yet profound, obstacle of lacking identification.