Those with criminal records say their convictions hamper them long after they’ve served their sentence and paid their debt to society. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven and co-chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The system we currently have in place allows for the punishment but not true redemption in moving forward,” said Sen. The measure would also require members of the Board of Pardons and Parole to receive annual training on the collateral consequences people face because of their criminal records. Proponents of the so-called “Clean Slate” proposal say the legislation is needed to combat discrimination against people with criminal records, which makes it harder for them to secure employment, obtain housing and move on with their lives. Lawmakers are holding a public hearing Wednesday to discuss a bill that would automatically clear certain criminal convictions from a person’s record after a certain amount of time passes without another conviction. “Unless I get a pardon before then, it’s going to happen.”Ī bill before the legislature could grant Perez some relief, ensuring her criminal record no longer holds her back. “I am going to get that denial letter,” Perez predicts. She plans on appealing that decision, but it’s stressful having that hanging over her head, a reminder of the person she was before she went into recovery.
CT CLEAN SLATE BILL 2021 LICENSE
She’s on pace to earn her master’s of social work from Fordham University in the fall of 2022.īut she expects the state to deny her a social worker license because of her criminal record.
CT CLEAN SLATE BILL 2021 FULL
You come out of jail and what are you supposed to do,” said Perez.Perez works full time as a peer support specialist at the Wheeler Clinic in New Britain, helping others with substance abuse issues, and goes to school at night. “I’m denied housing, I’m denied good jobs. Pastor Community Baptist Church of New Haven. We support clean slate,” said Phillippe Andal, Sr. “When people return from prison and have greater access to jobs, housing and higher education, they are less likely to recidivate. Supporters say the delay is placing a wall in front of people hoping to move their lives forward. The push to get lawmakers to pass the bill is now in its third year.
I’m now at Fordham University studying for a Master’s degree I do not know that I’ll be able to get because I have a felony,” said Perez. “But I can’t get an apartment because of my felonies. But there’s yet another battle facing her. Wednesday’s rally outside the State Capitol brought out ACLU members from across the state, calling on lawmakers to pass the “Clean Slate Act.”Ĭarrie Perez was once incarcerated and has since earned a bachelor’s degree. “It is a bill that would automatically erase a person’s record if they have earned that chance by completing their sentence and going for a defined period of time without a new conviction,” said Gus Marks-Hamilton, ACLU Campaign Mgr. The Senate’s ‘Clean Slate’ bill is designed to change that. Life behind bars is tough but after people leave prison they often face incarceration of a different kind. It’s not always possible but elected officials and lawmakers are working to give former offenders a clean slate. (WTNH)– You’ve done the crime and the time behind bars, now you want to restart your life.