Served My Time But Still Not Free: The Legal Stigma of my Record Haunts Me | Opinion

Served My Time But Still Not Free: The Legal Stigma of my Record Haunts Me | Opinion

Nearly twenty years ago, as a misguided teenager, I had a run-in with the law after participating in an act of stealing. It led me to serve time in prison, where I engaged in intensive counseling and introspection. I have turned my life around since then, dedicating myself to service that improves safety in communities through restoration. Today, I am a husband and father, a homeowner and vice president of one of the largest justice advocacy organizations in the country.You might call me fortunate. But don't call me free. I still cannot volunteer at my child's school. I am barred from joining my homeowner's association. And there are entire sectors of the economy where I cannot work.And I am not unique.Today, over 70 million Americans are living with past legal records that exclude us from jobs, housing, voting rights and other common activities. A survey of people living with past legal records in California found nearly eight in ten have confronted barriers to their success as a result, even though people who have gone years with no justice system involvement are no more likely to commit a new offense than those with no previous history in the system. Many of