At CSI, we are committed to bridging the gap between academic research related to our work and the real-life implications our work has. Learn how we bridge that gap by funding rigorous research — and acting on the results — in this blog post by Dr. Laura Chavez, Director of Research & Data.

January is National Poverty Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining the light on those living in poverty and how our society can help identify solutions that could break the poverty cycle. Clean Slate policies offer a tangible solution to break this cycle. Read more in this blog post by Reginald Darby, CSI Federal Legislative Director.

Connecticut’s Clean Slate law, signed by Governor Ned Lamont in 2021, was initially slated to go into effect last year but faced unexpected delays that caused the full implementation to be pushed to 2024. Now the state’s Clean Slate implementation is moving forward. Learn more in this blog post by Caitlin Dunklee, CSI Campaign Strategist.

The Pennsylvania state legislature passed HB 689, legislation that builds on the state’s groundbreaking 2018 Clean Slate law by expanding access to second-chance opportunities for people with felony convictions. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support and was immediately signed into law earlier today by Governor Josh Shapiro.

Our team put together this year’s annual report to provide our donors, supporters, allies, and partners with a comprehensive and interactive overview of the work we tackled in 2023. Read more in this end of year recap from our CEO, Sheena Meade.

Clean Slate Delaware has created a resource to help adults with Delaware records navigate their path to a brighter future. Clean Slate Delaware’s expungement hub is a brand new resource sharing all the current & upcoming details on how to obtain an expungement of an arrest or conviction record in the state of Delaware. Learn more in this blog post from Ryan Ewing, CSI Campaign Strategist.

“It’s officially the season widely recognized for gratitude, so I want to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to every person who makes Clean Slate progress possible.” Read more in this note from our CEO, Sheena Meade.

Start spreading the news. New York’s on its way. And while the song that says, “If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere,” is referring to New York City, the same determined spirit is held by people across the Empire State - from Buffalo to Long Island, Brooklyn to the Plattsburg, and everywhere in between…

“After years of sustained advocacy and strong public demand, New York is on the path to ensuring that a past mistake will not forever foreclose the opportunity for people to build a better life for themselves and their families.

“Soon, millions of New Yorkers will no longer be defined by their records…

It might be spooky season, but automatic record sealing isn’t a scary topic. Read more from Chelsea Murphy, Campaign Strategist.

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…