Experts have identified more than 40,000 “collateral consequences” at the state and federal levels that can limit or prohibit access to employment, occupational licensing, public benefits, housing, voting, education, and other opportunities for justice involved individuals. As many as one in three Americans have some type of criminal record that precludes opportunities to economic mobility and disproportionately impacts traditionally marginalized communities and communities of color.
Collateral consequences act as a significant barrier to the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, which can lead to increased recidivism that perpetuates the damaging cycle of mass incarceration among low-income communities and communities of color. Where and how people can legally and safely contribute to the economy and their own wellbeing should not be limited by debts already paid to society.
CLASP’s work in this space also includes the psychological impact of incarceration on the individual and their families.
Alabama and Texas joined the list of state that have modified or repealed bans denying individuals previously convicted of drug-related felonies access to both cash assistance under TANF and nutrition assistance under SNAP.
A brief from CLASP shows how people convicted of a drug-related felony are affected by lifetime bans from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Elizabeth Lower-Basch is quoted in this article about the recent passage of a California bill that will allow people convicted of drug-related felonies to receive welfare and food stamps.
Over 10 million children in the United States “have parents who were imprisoned at some point in their children’s lives.” In 2001, approximately 400,000 mothers and fathers will finish serving their prison or jail sentences and return home eager to rebuild their families and rebuild their…