Press Release: New Survey Confirms Impact of Clean Slate Policies in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan
Results Reveal Significant Improvements in Employment, Housing, and Mental Health for Individuals with Sealed Records
ORLANDO, FL — The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) today announced the results of a groundbreaking survey that provides the first comprehensive confirmation of the effectiveness of Clean Slate policies in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Conducted by YouGov, the survey polled 800 individuals with arrest or conviction records to assess how Clean Slate laws are transforming lives by sealing eligible arrest and conviction records.
The survey gathered responses from people who have a past arrest or conviction — a group rarely asked about their experiences in research or surveys, and the results show that Clean Slate policies are delivering tangible benefits. Notably, the survey found that over 40% of respondents whose records were sealed automatically reported improvements in their employment, personal finances, and access to public assistance. Additionally, 35% of these respondents reported better family relationships, and 34% noted improved mental health and self-esteem.
"These findings are the first confirmation that Clean Slate laws are working as intended—empowering people to rebuild their lives without being held back by past mistakes," said Dr. Laura Chavez, Director of Research and Data at The Clean Slate Initiative. "People who have earned a second chance should have a fair opportunity to fully participate in society. We will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of Clean Slate policies, and it’s promising that people reported noticeable benefits after state-initiated record sealing. With further study, we are confident that we’ll continue to see that removing barriers helps individuals, families, and communities thrive."
Key Survey Findings:
Employment and Financial Stability: 42% of respondents with automatically sealed records reported improvements in employment and personal finances.
Family and Mental Health: 35% of respondents experienced improved family relationships, and 34% reported positive mental health and self-esteem changes.
Awareness Gap: Despite the success of Clean Slate laws, over half of eligible individuals in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan were unaware of their state’s Clean Slate law—highlighting the need for broader outreach and education.
Widespread Support: 78% of the sample, all of whom are directly impacted by the legal system, support Clean Slate policies, with support exceptionally high among Black respondents (88%).
Since the passage of Clean Slate laws in Pennsylvania (2018), Utah (2019), and Michigan (2020), millions of eligible records have been sealed without people having to navigate burdensome and costly petition-based processes. Instead, Clean Slate laws shift the burden from individuals to the state, providing relief to people who often face obstacles like expensive legal fees and complex processes.
"The survey underscores the transformative potential of these laws, but it also highlights a critical need for ongoing education and outreach to ensure more people benefit from record sealing," added Sheena Meade, Chief Executive Officer of The Clean Slate Initiative. “As Clean Slate policies continue to build momentum in states across the country, we hope this research can help lawmakers understand the need for investing in public notification and awareness to maximize the benefits for individuals, families, and communities.”
About the Survey:
The Clean Slate Initiative commissioned the survey, which YouGov conducted in collaboration with Dr. Nyron Crawford, Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University, polled 800 individuals with arrest or conviction records in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The respondents reflected diverse demographic backgrounds and were surveyed about their experiences with Clean Slate laws, employment, housing, mental health, and awareness of their eligibility for record sealing.
The full survey report is available on The Clean Slate Initiative’s website.
Why This Matters:
More than 70 million Americans live with past arrest or conviction records, which can create lifelong barriers to employment, housing, and education. Clean Slate laws aim to break down these barriers, offering a second chance to those who meet the requirements, which includes remaining crime-free for a period of time determined by state law. By automating the sealing of eligible records, these laws ensure individuals have access to meaningful opportunities to more fully participate in their communities and the workforce.
About The Clean Slate Initiative:
The Clean Slate Initiative is a non-profit organization that engages bipartisan support to pass and implement laws that automatically seal eligible records for people who meet the requirements. The organization works to build a future where people will no longer be defined by their records and have a fair opportunity to work, get an education, and achieve their full potential.
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Additional Information and Resources
CSI Resources for Journalists and Media Outlets, cleanslateinitiative.org/media
CSI Data Dashboard, cleanslateinitiative.org/data#dashboard
CSI Frequently Asked Questions, cleanslateinitiative.org/faq
