The Unfortunate Consequences of Having a Criminal Record
One in three people in the United States have a criminal record, meaning they are subjected to more than 44,000 associated legal sanctions. A criminal conviction can be a lifelong barrier to accessing services, employment, voting and civic engagement, and education and housing, as well as overall financial security for individuals and their families. The criminal legal system disproportionately affects communities of color, and black people in particular, through more stops by police, arrests, and convictions, as well as higher rates of incarceration and longer sentences. The mark of a criminal record paired with failed policies and practices can lead to poverty for communities of color across generations. As of 2021, the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction identifies more than 1,300 criminal-related barriers to housing and residency across the state, county and city jurisdictions, and 26 barriers at the federal level. These barriers range background checks as part of rental and public housing.
Dana Schlappie a resident of Portland and a mother of a 10 year old son is experiencing the consequences of having a criminal record. She was arrested 17 years ago and charged with a drug dealing charge – delivery of methamphetamine and was given a sentence of 3 weeks in jail and a $1,000 fine. Her parole ended a year early, for good behavior. She hasn’t been charged with other felonies since then. After her release finding a house has been her main problem, she has applied for housing severally but the answer she only got has been, ‘DENIED’. She has stayed in her friend’s house for a while and usually sees herself as a burden so she moves out every, few weeks and this has a bad impact on her son. The criminal justice system is quite merciless because Dana was arrested when she was 25 years old but despite having a clean record for 17 years she has been denied housing. She is now 42 and after being denied housing eight times her application was finally accepted after she appealed an application. She can now start living a better life but it’s quite unfortunate that she had to wait for 17 years. There are many people in a similar position and are often ignored. During coronavirus period Gov. Kate Brown commuted the sentences of 963 people who got an early release as the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission found they were not likely to commit crimes. Some are motivated to change but their criminal background makes it hard to make a change. Dana Shlappie is among the few who keep on trying but not many can withstand the consequences that come with a criminal background thus reverting to crime to be able to survive. 963 people is a huge number and at least they deserve a chance to be able to live a better life not affected by their past.
Published by,
Ian Shihemi
For more information click on the links below:
Preventing and Removing Barriers to Housing Security for People With Criminal Convictions - Center for American Progress
Mitigating the Impacts of a Criminal Record on Young Adults in the U.S. - Center for American Progress
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/mitigating-impacts-criminal-record-young-adults-us/
Portland Considers Helping Tenants With Criminal Histories - OPB
https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-landlords-tenents-with-criminal-convictions/
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