Dedicated to implementing policies that ensure that a criminal record is not a life sentence.
Forward Justice works to eliminate the lifelong barriers that continue after a person has completed their sentence. We believe that a criminal record should not be a permanent barrier to employment, housing, education, public benefits, or civic participation. Forward Justice partners with directly impacted leaders, advocates, service providers, and community organizations to advocate for policy changes that reduce the long-lasting consequences of a criminal record while providing resources and access to relief.
Here’s What We’re Doing
Forward Justice played a leading role in the statewide movement that resulted in the passing of the NC Second Chance Act, expanding expunction eligibility for North Carolinians and automating the expunction process for dismissed charges. Through directly impacted leadership, community organizing and coalition building, policy development, legislative advocacy, and continued engagement with lawmakers, advocates and community partners, we built unmatched momentum that led to the passage of one of North Carolina’s most significant record clearing reforms.
In Kentucky, our Clean Slate primary goal is to adopt an effective and efficient automated record sealing pathway for all people living with a Kentucky record after they have served any sentence they received and have returned home. After several years of effort to advance legislation, the campaign is now poised to introduce a final legislative proposal following the development of a legislative workgroup and a more collaborative approach between the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Kentucky State Police. In pursuing these goals, Clean Slate Kentucky aims to increase economic opportunities for Kentuckians living with a record.
This was only the beginning. Forward Justice continues to build on the foundation of the Second Chance Act by addressing the collateral consequences that continue to burden people long after they complete their sentence.
What That Looks Like
- Supporting and advocating for expansion of record clearing policies making expunctions more accessible
- Advancing Clean Slate policies in Kentucky to automate record-clearing
- Increasing awareness and the use of Certificates Of Relief
- Advocacy around the elimination of barriers to public benefits, like the SNAP ban for people with certain felony convictions
- Encouraging and supporting civil participation for people with criminal records through the Second Chance Voter Hotline, as well as public education about voting rights following criminal justice system involvement
- Advocacy around the regulation of the digital publication and monetization of mugshots that can harm a person’s reputation and ability to secure employment and housing long term