OVER THE WEEKEND, A MAJOR POLICY VICTORY THAT THE NATIONAL REENTRY NETWORK FOR RETURNING CITIZENS HELPED CHAMPION WENT INTO EFFECT-THE SECOND CHANCE AMENDMENT ACT OF 2022. THIS LAW SIMPLIFIES AND EXPANDS RECORD SEALING IN DC, REMOVING BARRIERS TO HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND EDUCATION FOR JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS.

WHILE THIS IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD, OUR WORK ISN’T DONE. LONG WAITING PERIODS AND UNNECESSARY EXCLUSIONS LIMIT THE LAW’S FULL POTENTIAL. IF SEALING RECORDS HELPS REDUCE RECIDIVISM (WHICH IT DOES), WHY NOT APPLY IT MORE BROADLY-EVEN FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES? SHOULDN’T WE BE MOST FOCUSED ON REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF THOSE CRIMES HAPPENING AGAIN? IF THIS TOOL WORKS, WE SHOULD USE IT WHERE IT MATTERS MOST.

LET’S CELEBRATE THIS WIN, BUT ALSO PUSH FOR FURTHER CHANGE. SPREAD THE WORD! IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE RECORD, VISIT DCJUSTICELAB. ORG/DC-EXPUNGEMENT TO LEARN MORE.