Oct 27, 2017
Today, one in three Americans has some type of criminal
record, many convicted of only minor offenses – and some have only
arrests that never even led to conviction. But having even a minor
record can create lifelong barriers to employment, housing,
education, and more, making even a minor record a life sentence to
poverty. This week, leaders from communities across the US
descended upon Washington for a convening dedicated to unlocking
opportunity for people with records. This week Off-Kilter shares
highlights from that convening, including conversations with
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, whose Second Chance Society
provides a national model; JustLeadershipUSA founder Glenn Martin
on the role of language in this work and particularly the
importance of using language that humanizes people who are too
often demonized; and Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, a
rising star in the House of Representatives who just announced
she’ll be bringing "clean slate" legislation from the Pennsylvania
legislature to the halls of Congress.