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Our Mission
The Clean Slate Initiative passes and implements laws that automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free, and expands who is eligible for clearance.
Our Vision
People will no longer be defined by their records and will have the opportunity to contribute to their community, have a fair opportunity to work, get an education, and achieve their full potential.
Our Strategy
Advocate for Clean Slate Legislation
Implement Clean Slate Legislation
Redefine the Narrative Around People with Records
Clean Slate's Impact
The CSI Data Dashboard presents population estimates for people in the U.S. who are impacted by arrest or conviction records, with data further broken down by race, ethnicity, sex, and type of record, within each state and over time.
What has been the real impact of Clean Slate policies on the lives of people who live with a record? To begin answering this question, CSI developed and commissioned a survey of 800 people with arrest and conviction records in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Utah.
State Data Factsheets
As our research develops, we will release additional factsheets. Here are the impact statements for the following states:
Info for Lawmakers
Drafting legislation that can gain bipartisan support is often challenging enough. It becomes harder when lawmakers want to ensure the law will be impactful and can be implemented appropriately. That's where we come in. The Clean Slate Initiative is here to help!
BARS Simulator
Our Barriers and Realities Simulator (BARS) is a virtual experience intended to give people insight into what it’s like to navigate life with an arrest or conviction record. Using one of four avatars, users apply for employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Try out the simulator below.
Second Chance Stories
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 understand and build support for Clean Slate.
Bill: Clean Slate Storytellers
Bill Wallace founded Tomorrow's Promise Foundation in 2017 with the mission of empowering youth by providing access to programs that enhance life skills. After being tried as an adult and sentenced to prison as a juvenile, Bill transformed his life through determination and hard work. Today, he leads Tomorrow's Promise Foundation, shaping the next generation of community leaders.
Erica: Clean Slate Storytellers
Erica thought she knew the (justice) system she was working in… until she had to learn more about it from a true insiders’ perspective after both her parents were sentenced. Her story is an example of how records reach beyond the person who carries them, and what it means to love someone who lives with a record.
Kenneth: Clean Slate Storytellers
By moving to a big city, Kenneth thought that he’d be able to find a well-paying, steady job and then move up from there. Instead, because of his record, he was faced with 40 interviews that resulted in 40 rejections. After finally landing a job, he still faced barriers to housing, getting life insurance, and more.
Neshea: Clean Slate Storytellers
Naesha’s story touches on the stigma that surrounds people who have records. She talks about how the process of seeking record relief isn’t just financially burdensome and time-consuming — it’s also an emotional journey, which is one of the many reasons why automated record sealing is so important.
Destiny: Clean Slate Storytellers
Destiny’s story showcases how important it is for people with records to find open doors instead of endless barriers. After overcoming addiction, homelessness, and a past filled with trauma, she still felt pulled down by the weight of her record — until she was presented with an opportunity for a job that changed the course of her life.
Jamar: Clean Slate Storytellers
Jamar shares his story through art: His spoken word performance highlights how he transformed pain into purpose, and his passion for writing and storytelling is how he hopes to inspire others to do the same.
Stay In Touch
For the latest updates, sign up for emails from The Clean Slate Initiative and follow along with our work on social media.
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Read More
New Research: How Clean Slate Won in Pennsylvania and Utah — and What Other States Can Learn
A new study recently published in Criminology and Public Policy examines how Pennsylvania and Utah became the first states to pass Clean Slate laws — and outlines lessons learned for other states. Learn more in this update from Dr. Laura Chavez, Elsa Chen, Sarah Lageson, and Ericka Adams.
Lessons from CSI’s 2025 Convening
Jerika White, Community Justice Manager at Empower Missouri, joined CSI's 2025 convening in Chicago in June as a first-time attendee. Learn more about her experience at the event in this guest update.
New Research: Engaging Directly Impacted Populations in Research Online
When using digital tools to find participants, how can researchers be sure they’re reaching the right people, and doing so in a way that’s cost-effective, efficient, and ethical? New research dives in. Learn more in this co-authored update from Dr. Laura Chavez, Sarah Lageson, Carolina R. Caliman, Elsa Chen, and Ericka Adams.
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.
