ACLU of ConnecticutKonto zweryfikowane

Thank you @SteveStafstrom for noting that people who reenter society & go for years without a new conviction are no more likely to reoffend than people without a record. #CleanSlateCT

Thank you @Porter4DaPeople for discussing the need for anti-discrimination protections & inclusion in #CleanSlateCT

Thank you @10SDDem for raising the issue of racial disparities in felony convictions. 8% of people in the U.S. are living with a felony record. But among Black men, the rate is 1 in 3.

Thank you, Majority Leader Matt Ritter, for testifying about the need for #CleanSlateCT to be as inclusive as possible.

Thank you, CWCSEO, for testifying in support of strong #CleanSlateCT that includes people living with felony convictions.

“I am a 28 year old woman with a felony conviction and also a single mother to an 18-month old son. Ever since my release from prison in 2017, I have faced many obstacles.” - Ciara Rosati, Smart Justice leader

“Since my son was born in 2018 & I began raising him alone, I have been taking all the steps I can to give him a healthy life, as my family tried so hard to give me.” - Ciara Rosati, Smart Justice leader

“The next important thing to me is a place to call my own where I can raise my son. I am afraid of applying for my own apartment & being turned down.”

“I am afraid, that despite making the right choices, I am still going to be told that I am not ‘good enough.’”

“Not only will that be saying no to me, but that will be saying no to my son. What has my son done to deserve that?”

“To know there is a chance that I will be told that I cannot choose to raise my son in a place that is healthy & safe because of a crime that happened 7 years ago? Isn’t right.”

“Even if someone’s record is erased, there is a chance that a potential landlord, employer, or other gatekeeper can learn about their criminal history outside of a background check.” - Ciara on the need for anti-discrimination in #CleanSlateCT