Article

Infographic: Criminal Records Are a Family Sentence

The barriers associated with criminal records have devastating consequences for families, resulting in lifelong punishment for parents with records and significantly limiting their children’s future.

See also: Removing Barriers to Opportunity for Parents With Criminal Records and Their Children by Rebecca Vallas, Melissa Boteach, Rachel West, and Jackie Odum

A new report by the Center for American Progress examines five pillars of family well-being to show how the barriers associated with criminal records have devastating consequences for families. These barriers result in lifelong punishment for parents with records and significantly limit their children’s future.

criminal records and families infographic

Rebecca Vallas is the Director of Policy for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress. Melissa Boteach is the Vice President of the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center. Rachel West is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center. Jackie Odum is a Research Associate with the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center.

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

Authors

Rebecca Vallas

Senior Fellow

Melissa Boteach

Senior Vice President, Poverty to Prosperity Program

Rachel West

Director of Poverty Research

Jackie Odum

Research Associate

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Economic Policy

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Public Safety

Protecting people from crime is one of the government’s most fundamental and urgent responsibilities. However, the current reality is that too many crimes go unsolved and too many victims lack justice. The Center for American Progress is committed to advancing evidence-based policies that keep individuals safe by solving crime when it happens, ensuring swift and certain accountability for those who harm others, and preventing crime in the first place.