Russel Sage Foundation

Although criminal record expungement programs and policies are designed to help mitigate the collateral consequences of an arrest or criminal conviction, few proceed through the administrative process. This creates a “second chance gap” and likely perpetuates social, economic, and political inequalities. Justice-involved individuals – those previously arrested or incarcerated – may be disqualified from, or have restrictions placed on, their receipt of public benefits as well as their rights. Some evidence suggests that a clean slate, in the form of record clearance, can boost employment rates and wages and is helpful in reducing re-offending. Why, then, don’t more eligible record-bearers participate in expungement programs? Drawing on focus group and survey data, political scientist Nyron Crawford will examine the barriers that prevent justice-involved individuals from taking up record clearance.