Letter to the editor: Clean Slate Act can help good people succeed
Foundation of HOPE is an interfaith, Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization that annually serves thousands of people impacted by the justice system, empowering them to renew their faith, rebuild their lives and restore positive relationships. We believe that a person’s past does not define their future.
Unfortunately, even a minor, decades- old record can sentence people to a life of poverty, creating insurmountable barriers to employment, housing and other basic needs. When people don’t get a second chance, they end up back behind bars. On the other hand, when people have access to gainful employment and stable housing, they can successfully move forward, provide for their families and become productive, valued members of their communities.
Foundation of HOPE strongly urges all Pennsylvanians to contact their representatives and ask them to support bipartisan House Bill 1826, also known as the Clean Slate Act. HB1826 expands the automatic sealing of drug felonies after 10 years conviction-free, expands petition sealing by courts and shortens sealing waiting periods for minor convictions. The current system sets people up to fail. Sealing the records of qualifying individuals will dramatically increase opportunities for them to succeed.
Don’t believe me? Come spend an afternoon at Foundation of HOPE and meet some of the incredible people who, despite past mistakes, are making our communities safer, brighter, more vibrant places to live.
Keith G. Kondrich
Swisshelm Park
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