August 29, 2023 |
Photo – Wyoming Department Of Corrections Badge – Courtesy WDOC
Senate File 120, which became law on July 1 this year, is having a positive impact on former felons. Since Enrolled Act 94 became law earlier this summer, hundreds of former felons moved quickly to use the law to restore their civil rights in Wyoming.
It’s a game changer for many.
C.J. Young, the elections division director for the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office, told lawmakers last week that his office received around 300 certificates for the restoration of rights since the law went into effect.
Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Gillette sponsored the legislation. The law is gamechanger for many. It allows nonviolent felons to regain the right to own and use guns, serve on a jury and hold public office in Wyoming five years after they complete their sentence or probation. To qualify, they can’t be convicted of another felony during those five years.
The Wyoming Department of Corrections supported the bill, citing data that shows the restoration of rights reduces recidivism.
Young told lawmakers that his office is receiving 50 or more certificates a week from the Wyoming Department of Corrections.
Nonviolent felons were already eligible to have their voting rights restored after they complete a sentence or probation. Wyoming’s voting rights restoration law took effect in July 2017. To date, about 3,700 nonviolent felons in Wyoming have had their voting rights restored.
The 2017 bill and the one pass this year provides for the restoration of civil rights, including the right to use or possess a firearm.
