During the 2023 SCJA annual conference held in mid-September, CSI hosted a panel titled “Blank Pages, Bright Futures: Streamlining Record Clearance for a Clean Slate.” Learn more about our presentation in this blog post by Jesse Kelley, Senior Policy Strategist.

In February, I learned that, along with the National Council of Churches of Kenya and more than 300 other deserving nominees, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. I am proud to have been one of the founding members of FRRC …

This year Texas lawmakers missed an opportunity to advance a Clean Slate policy that would have improved the lives of more than three million Texans, offering a meaningful opportunity for a second chance after obtaining an arrest or conviction record. Read more in this guest blog post by Tracie Burkhart, someone whose life would have been impacted by this important legislation.

On Friday, September 23, 2023, Sheena Meade joined a panel conversation hosted by the U.S. DOJ's Office of the Pardon Attorney: “The Case for Second Chances: A Conversation About Criminal Justice, Collateral Consequences and Clemency.” Learn more about the panel event in this blog post by Reginald Darby, CSI’s Legislative Director.

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) joined the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2023 Annual Legislative Conference for the second year in a row, featuring an exciting policy panel, an exclusive reception, and a swag-filled booth in the conference’s exhibit hall. Learn more about our time at #ALC52 in this blog post by Reginald Darby, CSI’s Legislative Director.

It's time to talk about education — specifically, barriers to education for the millions of adults in America who are living with a record. Read more in this guest blog post by Stanley Andrisse, Executive Director of From Prison Cells to PhD, Scientist, and author of From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late To Do Good.

We are thrilled to share the exciting highlights of the recent Congressional Briefing, "The Clean Slate Act: A Fresh Start for Second Chances," held on July 26, 2023. Read more in this blog post by Reginald Darby, CSI's Legislative Director.

On Friday, June 30, 2023, Sheena Meade was featured on NPR’s TED Radio Hour as the first installment in the show’s Audacious Solutions episodes. Tune in here.

On June 8 & 9, 2023, over 200 advocates gathered in Oklahoma City with a shared vision and a clear goal: uniting for second chances and advancing Clean Slate nationwide. Read more in this 2023 Convening recap.

“We applaud New York lawmakers for reaching an agreement and supporting this common-sense policy. Over 2.3 million people have a record in New York, but only .2% of eligible people have cleared their records under the current system. This Clean Slate bill will automatically clear records for anyone who is eligible, helping more New Yorkers gain a second chance at a better future…

The belief in redemption is something most of us share — that’s why over 70% of voters, across party lines, support second chances through Clean Slate policies. Learn more about the importance of bipartisan support for Clean Slate in this blog post by Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative.

Minnesota just became the 11th state to pass legislation that meets The Clean Slate Initiative’s criteria for “Clean Slate” legislation. Read more in this blog post.

On April 27, 2023, Congress introduced two bills that could unlock opportunities for millions of people in America: the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act — two common-sense, bipartisan bills that would finally provide some relief to millions of Americans who often face lifelong economic barriers because of a past federal record. Learn more about the bills in this blog post.

On Thursday, April 27, 2023, the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act were introduced in U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan sponsorship.

Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) are lead sponsors of the Clean Slate Act, and Reps. Trone (D-MD) and Armstrong (R-ND) are lead sponsors of the Fresh Start Act.

These two substantial, bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts would provide some relief to the millions of people who face barriers because of a past arrest or conviction record.

Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, issued the following statement in support of the bills…

Amanda’s journey through addiction, incarceration, reentry, and receiving a second chance is a story about perseverance, strength, determination, and the need for Clean Slate. Learn more in this guest blog post by Amanda Hall, Justice Director of Dream.org.

Earlier today, a $75 million commitment to The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) was announced at the TED2023 conference. The investment will fund a large portion of the organization’s strategy to pass laws in 15 states in the next six years that expand eligibility and streamline the clearance process for arrest or conviction records, ultimately unlocking opportunities for 14 million people in America — a strategy that’s been met with overwhelming support across political divides…

We are thrilled to announce that CSI has received a landmark financial commitment through The Audacious Project — an historic step toward fully-funding our six-year plan to clear records for an additional 6-8 million people. Read more in this blog post.

In partnership with the Clean Slate Initiative, SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, conducted an analysis of record clearance policies in 11 states, and put their findings together in a report that outlines what’s working, what needs work, and where states can go from here.

“The work of Clean Slate Michigan partners has inspired other states around the country to ensure working people have a meaningful chance at building a better life for themselves and their families,” said Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative. “Michigan’s Clean Slate law passed with overwhelming bipartisan support because Clean Slate policies are good for the economy and improve community safety. The Clean Slate Initiative and our Michigan partners will continue to work with state agencies to ensure this process works as lawmakers intended and everyone who is eligible has their shot at redemption.”

On April 11, 2023, the automatic expungement provision of Michigan’s Clean Slate law went into effect. On day one, the law is projected to help over 1 million people clear their records fully or in part — learn more in this guest blog post by John Cooper, CEO of Safe & Just Michigan.