Connecticut Keeps Its Promise: Clean Slate Automated Erasures Move Forward

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, CSI’s Sheena Meade, CEO, and Alex Williams, Chief of Staff, joined community members, clergy, and state leaders in Bridgeport for Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut (CONECT)’s Fall Assembly — not just to celebrate a policy win, but to witness the fulfillment of a promise.

After years of delay, Connecticut’s Clean Slate automated record erasures are finally moving forward. This long-awaited milestone means that over 100,000 people across the state will soon see eligible old, low-level convictions erased from their records — unlocking access to jobs, housing, and stability.

Overcoming Obstacles to Break Down Barriers

Clean Slate in Connecticut didn’t happen overnight. It took years of faith-driven advocacy, coalition power, and government partnership to get here. The state’s Clean Slate implementation — initially slated to roll out in 2023 — was postponed for more than two years as officials worked through key steps needed to launch the program effectively. But the Clean Slate coalition never stopped working.

CONECT — a collective of churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and civic organizations representing more than 30,000 people in New Haven and Fairfield Counties — was instrumental in keeping the issue front and center.

From 2023 to 2025, CONECT and partners across the state refused to let second chances get lost in bureaucracy. They organized. They held conversations. They demanded accountability.

And now, their persistence has paid off.

A Proof Point for the Nation: Be Bold, Pragmatic, and Committed

Connecticut now stands as a national proof point for Clean Slate: Even when obstacles get in the way, Clean Slate implementation is possible when states are bold enough to pass the law, pragmatic enough to work through any obstacles, and committed enough to finish the job.

This moment also reflects the dedication of Governor Ned Lamont’s administration and Commissioner Ronnell Higgins of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). Implementation success was made possible through the technical expertise and leadership of staff at DESPP and the Connecticut Judiciary, including Mark Sperl, DESPP Senior Project Manager, who led the technical implementation work. When state officials follow through on their promises to the people — great things happen.

This victory represents the best of what Connecticut can be — a state that believes in second chances and does the hard work to make them real.

Because of years of organizing, partnership, and persistence, Clean Slate is finally real in Connecticut — a state that believes in second chances and delivers on them. For an estimated 125,000 people, this milestone means one simple but powerful truth: their past no longer defines their future.

Visit cleanslatect.org to learn more about the state’s Clean Slate law.

Check Your Record

• Find out if your record is eligible for Clean Slate under the state’s law using the CT Clean Slate eligibility portal.‍
• Check your record for free on the Judicial Branch website.