Read on Twitter
Most pardons issued yesterday were to people who had already served their sentences and had safely reintegrated back into society. This process of removing lifetime consequences for past actions should be available to most people, rather than just those high connections. 1/9
A conviction on one's record can create an immense hindrance to employment, housing, education, and restoring one's dignity. Too often, this record inadvertently creates a life sentence of poverty rather than promoting participation in society. 2/9
People who have served their time and shown they can safely reintegrate into society deserve a fair shot at a better future. This creates better outcomes for the individual and society. We’re all better than the worst thing we’ve ever done. 3/9
Many states have expungement laws (similar to a pardon though some slight differences) today that technically allow certain records to be sealed after a time without recidivating. However, they’re often overly complex, not widely known, and burdensome, and thus rarely used. 4/9
We @Arnold_Ventures have joined with other funders to support @CleanSlate_Init, which advocates and provides technical assistance to states to simplify and automate the record sealing process. 5/9 https://cleanslateinitiative.org/
Clean slate legislation has significant bipartisan support. Michigan and Pennsylvania have passed similar laws in recent years with broad support. Partners in the effort range from @FreedomWorks to @amprog, from Koch to @safeandjust. 6/9
And there’s movement at the federal level. @SenBobCasey (D) and @SenJoniErnst (R) recently introduced the Clean Slate Act, similar to a bipartisan bill introduced in the House in 2019. 7/9 https://www.justiceactionnetwork.org/news/icyminbspsens-bob-casey-joni-ernst-introduce-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-bill
With nearly half of children having at least 1 parent with criminal record, automatically sealing records helps invest in our Nation’s future by ensuring millions of parents with minor criminal histories & their families aren’t kept from achieving a successful life.”- @SenBobCasey
The criminal justice system needs to support success, rather than creating lifelong barriers. Extending the concept of presidential pardons through clean slate laws is a great step in that direction. 9/9
