Unlocking Opportunity: The Work of the Clean Slate Initiative

When someone has served their sentence and returned home, the journey of reentry should be about rebuilding—not reliving the past. Unfortunately, for millions of people across the United States, old criminal records continue to cast a long shadow, blocking access to jobs, housing, and education even years after their sentence is complete. That’s where the Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) comes in.

The Clean Slate Initiative is a national bipartisan coalition working to ensure that people who have completed their sentences are not permanently held back by their past. Their mission is clear: to expand the use of automatic record clearance, so that individuals who are eligible for relief don’t have to jump through complicated, costly, or confusing legal hoops to clear their record.

Why Clean Slate Matters for Reentry

For someone reentering society, the difference between having a record and having it cleared can mean everything. Employers often reject applications with a simple box checked “Yes” under criminal history. Landlords can turn away families without ever meeting them, based solely on a background check. Even educational opportunities and professional licenses can be out of reach.

By working with states to pass Clean Slate laws, CSI helps make record clearance automatic after a certain period of time—removing unnecessary barriers and giving people a real chance to move forward. These laws not only benefit individuals but also strengthen families, neighborhoods, and local economies. When people can access good jobs and stable housing, communities become safer and stronger.

A Bipartisan, National Movement

What makes the Clean Slate Initiative especially powerful is its bipartisan and broad-based approach. CSI collaborates with policymakers, employers, advocates, and directly impacted people across the country. This coalition ensures that Clean Slate laws are not only passed but are also implemented in ways that reach as many eligible people as possible.

So far, millions of records have been sealed or expunged thanks to Clean Slate reforms, and the movement continues to grow. States from Pennsylvania to Utah to Michigan have adopted versions of these laws, and more are considering them every year.

Building A Better Tomorrow Together

At A Better Tomorrow, we believe that reentry is about second chances and fresh starts. The Clean Slate Initiative’s work aligns directly with that vision, proving that transformation is possible when we remove systemic barriers.

If you or someone you know is reentering society, organizations like CSI are fighting for your future. Their work ensures that when you’ve done your time, you’re not serving a life sentence of discrimination.

Everyone deserves the dignity of moving forward. Everyone deserves a clean slate.

To learn more about the Clean Slate Initiative and their impact, visit cleanslateinitiative.org.