Updates from CSI

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.

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 update from 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 update from Erik Altieri.

On April 27, 2023, Congress introduced two bills that could unlock opportunities for millions of people in America. Learn more about the bills in this update from Reginald Darby, Federal Legislative Director.

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.

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.

This year marks the seventh consecutive year recognizing April as Second Chance Month.

Ensuring people with an arrest or conviction record have meaningful second chances is important. And in recent years, Clean Slate legislation has emerged as a powerful tool to ensure everyone has a shot at redemption.

The Clean Slate Initiative’s bipartisan endeavor has been successful in passing and implementing laws that automate government record-sealing processes to automatically seal records for those who are eligible.

We need your help to ensure the progress continues.

Use our Second Chance Month Toolkit to show your support of Clean Slate efforts this month. We invite you to use the content in our toolkit as-is or as inspiration for your own content throughout Second Chance Month.

In a short time, we’ve gone from being an ambitious campaign to a rapidly-growing organization, and there’s so much more to come. Learn more in this update about The Clean Slate Initiative’s growth.

The end of a year is a natural time for reflection — so let's take a moment to reflect on all the incredible things we accomplished together in 2022.

I am sharing this message with mixed emotions: Erin George, National Campaigns Manager for Clean Slate Initiative has transitioned out of our organization and into what is a dream role for her. Erin has moved into a leadership role as National Director of Policy at The Bail Project, and I am so excited for her new chapter.

As we honor those who served in our armed forces this Veteran’s Day, I think about how we can serve our veterans as well as they have served us. Learn more in this blog post by Sheena Meade.