Center for American Progress

‘If You Are Telling Someone They Can Come Home One Day, They Deserve a Second Chance.’
Video

‘If You Are Telling Someone They Can Come Home One Day, They Deserve a Second Chance.’

Hundreds of Thousands of Michiganders Could Get the Clean Slates They Deserve

With the passage of Michigan’s Clean Slate bill, people like Jarret could finally have a second chance.

Jarret Ruffin shares how a criminal record has haunted him for more than half of his life and how, with the passage of Michigan’s Clean Slate bill, he could finally be allowed to move on. Learn more at www.safeandjustmi.org.

Jasmine Hardy is the video editor at the Center for American Progress. David Ballard is the policy and outreach coordinator for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center. Rebecca Vallas is a senior fellow 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

Jasmine Hardy

Senior Video Producer

David Ballard

Former Associate Director, Economic Policy

Rebecca Vallas

Senior Fellow

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Economic Policy

We are focused on building an inclusive economy by expanding worker power, investing in families, and advancing a social compact that encourages sustainable and equitable growth.

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.