Washington, D.C. — In recognition of Second Chance Month, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) in the Senate and Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) in the House reintroduced the bipartisan Clean Slate Act and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in the Senate and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) in the House reintroduced the bipartisan Fresh Start Act. In response, Akua Amaning, director of criminal justice reform at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
“With the reintroduction of both the bipartisan Clean Slate Act and Fresh Start Act, Congress is reaffirming the importance of giving 1 in 3 adults in America with a criminal record a meaningful second chance. For far too long, millions have struggled with the societal stigmas that come with a record. It can negatively affect their employability, wages, and ability to buy a home, support their family, and continue an education. The consequences reverberate throughout entire communities and keep far too many people in the cycle of recidivism. By giving millions of Americans a chance to rebuild their lives, these bills will break down unnecessary barriers to reentry and improve public safety. Congress must pass both the Clean Slate Act and Fresh Start Act to ensure that people who have paid their debt to society have a fair shot to contribute positively after incarceration and to promote a safer and fairer nation.”
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