.avif)
Advancing Narrative Change
The stigma of having an arrest or conviction record sticks a scarlet letter on people long after they’ve paid their debt to society, which can add to the barriers people face when trying to build a better life. Our narrative efforts aim to change that.
Two critical pillars of our mission-focused work are passing and implementing Clean Slate legislation — those pillars are the ones that we talk about most often. But there’s a third pillar driving our work that gets shadowed behind the scenes. This third pillar recognizes that true progress requires more than just legislative change: it means changing hearts and minds, too.
Stigma surrounding people with records can hinder our ability to pass and implement Clean Slate laws. That’s why narrative change is a key part of CSI’s three-pronged strategy to fulfill our mission. Changing how society views people with records is a tall order, but we’re up for the task.
Clean Slate Storytellers
CSI’s storyteller series showcases real-life people across the country who have, or had, an arrest or conviction record. Hearing first-hand experiences is one of the most impactful ways we can build support for Clean Slate.
The storyteller series helps illustrate that this is an issue that affects all of us. In these videos, you can see a wide range of people who have faced the challenges of living with a record: struggling to find a house, being turned down from good job opportunities, or feeling the weight of rejection from universities, for example.
These barriers are blocking a better life for 70 - 100 million people in America who have a record — people who want to work hard and contribute to their communities, people who have families to take care of, or who want to move beyond their past with an education. Sharing as many of their stories as we can is one way we’re able to grow support for Clean Slate policies nationwide.
For the Record: A Clean Slate Public Service Announcement
As part of our “Changing the Narrative” campaign, CSI produced a Clean Slate Public Service Announcement (PSA), titled “For The Record,” that illustrates one of the core principles of our work: “People should not be defined by their records.” Since it premiered, the video has garnered more than 3 million views.
CSI is investing in a narrative change research project that aims to create a deep understanding of people’s perceptions around people with records and automatic record sealing. This will enable us to craft the right messages from the right messengers to meet our audiences where they are.
Stay tuned for more on our narrative change research project!
Support Clean Slate
Your voice and action matter. Share your story to amplify the importance of second chances, or make a donation to help expand access to automated record sealing and opportunity for millions.
