Erasing the Mark of a Criminal Past

• In Event: Criminal Records, Employment and Prisoner Reentry

Abstract

In an age of mass incarceration, Americans—particularly those from minority and underprivileged groups—face a coming of age ritual of incarceration in the nation’s juvenile and adult facilities (Rios, 2006). One-fifth of Americans have a criminal history (Geiger, 2006), and as of 2009, over 7.2 million persons were under correctional supervision (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011). Having a criminal record diminishes ex-offenders’ opportunities to vote and to obtain employment, student loans, subsidized housing, and public benefits (Brown, 2011; Geffen & Letze, 2005; Holzer, Raphael, & Stoll, 2001; Holzer, Raphael, and Stoll, 2003; Stevenson, 2011). Given these limitations, clearing a person’s criminal record could significantly improve their life chances. However, limited research has explored the benefits ex-offenders receive from criminal record clearance. Utilizing 40 semi-structured interviews conducted over a six-month period, this study examines the experiences of the racially diverse ex-offenders served by the Record Clearance Project (RCP) at San José State University (SJSU). Half of the interviews were conducted with individuals whose records were expunged; the other half with members of a control group. This pioneering study investigates what impact, if any, partially or completely clearing one’s criminal record has on their life. Policy implications will also be discussed.

Authors

• Ericka Briana Adams, North Central College

• Elsa Chen, Santa Clara University

• Rosella Chapman, Santa Clara University