For the tens of millions of Americans with a criminal record of conviction, the consequences of those convictions extend beyond their sentences. Currently, there are more than 40,000 state and federal legal and regulatory restrictions that limit or prohibit people convicted of crimes from accessing employment, business and occupational licensing, housing, voting, education, and other rights, benefits, and opportunities.
The Collateral Consequences Resource Center (CCRC) has worked since 2014 to promote public engagement on the myriad issues raised by the collateral consequences of arrest or conviction. Today, the CCRC provides news and commentary about this dynamic area of the law, and a variety of research and practice materials aimed at legal and policy advocates, courts, scholars, lawmakers, and those most directly affected by criminal justice involvement.
In this panel, the CCRC will discuss the current state of collateral consequences across the country, including the results of the Center’s most recent report on legislative efforts to reduce the barriers faced by people with a criminal record. The panel will also detail the legislative reforms enacted in some of the states considered for the CCRC’s 2021 Reintegration Champions as well as share the experiences of individuals directly impacted by collateral consequences associated with their convictions and their efforts to overcome those barriers.
Facilitators:
- Nick Read, Deputy Director, National Reentry Resource Center
- Bayonle Osundare, Legal Specialist, American Institutes for Research
Speakers include:
- Margaret Love, Executive Director, Collateral Consequences Resource Center
- Angel Sanchez, Second Chance Fellow, Bureau of Justice Assistance and Legislative Analyst, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
- James Williams, Director of Racial Justice Policy, Fair Share Housing Center (New Jersey)