This report, a summary of the findings of an exhaustive two-year study by U.S. Justice Fund grantee Legal Action Center (LAC), reveals the legal obstacles that people with criminal records face when they attempt to reenter society and become productive, law-abiding citizens. The report finds that people with criminal records seeking reentry face a daunting array of counterproductive, debilitating and unreasonable roadblocks in almost every important aspect of life.

The study is divided into three sections:

• What's the Law is a comprehensive catalogue of each state's legal barriers to employment, housing benefits, voting, access to criminal records, parenting, and driving;
• the Report Card grades each state on whether its laws and policies help or hurt those seeking reentry; and
• Vision for the Future outlines how federal and state policymakers can help reintegrate people with criminal records into society in ways that better promote public safety.

A complete compilation of the findings, including statutory citations and an explanation of methodology, is available at www.lac.org/roadblocks.html.