The Second Chance Gap

• In Event: Technology, Privacy, and Criminal Records: Innovations and Challenges in Clean Slate and Expungement Policy

Abstract

Over the last decade, dozens of states have enacted “second chance” reforms that increase the eligibility of individuals charged or convicted of crimes to, upon application, shorten or downgrade their past convictions, clean their criminal records, and/or regain the right to vote. While much fanfare has accompanied the increasing availability of “second chances,” less is known about their uptake. This study introduces the concept of the “second chance gap” - the gap between eligibility and delivery of second chance relief - and sizes it in connection with several second chance initiatives and laws.

Author

• Colleen Chien, Santa Clara University