According to a study released by the Florida Parole Commission in July 2011, former offenders who had their civil rights restored were less likely to return to prison. The Commission examined 31,000 released prisoners from 2009 to 2010, and found around 11 percent of those who regained their civil rights were re-incarcerated. In contrast, the recidivism rate for ex-offenders who did not have their civil rights restored was about 33 percent.
"This report shows clemency is working very well, as 89 percent of convicted felons granted a second chance have not re-offended," observed Reggie Garcia, a Florida attorney who assists ex-felons seeking restoration of their rights.
