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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
Connecticut Keeps Its Promise: Clean Slate Automated Erasures Move Forward
After years of delay, Connecticut’s Clean Slate automated record erasures are finally moving forward. Learn more in this update from Katie Svoboda-Kindle, Implementation Director.
New Research Shows Automated Sealing for Non-Conviction Records Works — With Room for Improvement
A new study published in the North Carolina Law Review — funded by The Clean Slate Initiative and led by Professor Colleen Chien of UC Berkeley — is the first large-scale look at how well those automated systems are working to remove barriers for people with non-conviction records. Learn more in this update from Dr. Laura Chavez, Director of Research & Data.
Five Reasons Second Chance Policies Benefit Public Safety
Communities are safer when people have jobs, stable families, and a real chance to rebuild after a past mistake. Learn more about the benefits of second chances for keeping America safe in this guest contribution from Justin Magnuson, Justice Reform Foundation, and Jason Pye, Due Process Institute.
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.
