In 2022, Oklahoma became the sixth state in the nation to adopt Clean Slate legislation. Past mistakes often define an individual’s future, but Clean Slate offers a pathway to personal redemption and community healing. Clearing old criminal records typically requires lots of paperwork, numerous court costs and often hiring an attorney. Clean Slate digitizes this process for Oklahomans with low-level convictions or arrest history.
Oklahoma’s Clean Slate law is also estimated to lower barriers to education, employment, and housing for over 100 thousand Oklahomans once fully implemented in 2026. This transformative policy is not only crucial for individuals with criminal records but also holds immense potential to uplift neighborhoods, boost local economies, and create a better future for all Oklahomans.
What is Clean Slate
Oklahoma’s Clean Slate Legislation centers on providing people who have served their time with a fresh start by automatically sealing, in a process known as expungement, certain non-violent criminal records after a specified period. By removing the barriers that a criminal record creates, Clean Slate laws empower people to pursue meaningful opportunities—such as stable employment, housing, and education—that are often out of reach. In the United States, 9 out of every 10 employers, 4 out of 5 landlords, and 3 out of 5 colleges, nationwide, conduct a criminal background check, which significantly impacts those with a criminal record. Clean slate policies aim to give these individuals a fair chance to participate in society without their past mistakes standing in the way.
The impact of clean slate legislation is particularly evident when looking at the barriers individuals face when trying to obtain expungement under the current system. In Oklahoma, for example, 94% of eligible individuals have not received expungements, often because of the process’s high costs, extensive paperwork, and complicated legal requirements. This is not an isolated problem; a Michigan study found that only 6.5% of eligible people obtained expungements within five years. By making expungements automatic and more accessible, Clean Slate laws can remove these obstacles, allowing thousands of people to finally move forward. Since 2019, the Clean Slate law has allowed 34 million to have their record cleared in Pennsylvania.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Recidivism
One of the most powerful aspects of Clean Slate Legislation is its ability to break cycles of poverty and recidivism. A criminal record can trap individuals in a cycle of disadvantage, making it difficult to secure employment, stable housing, or pursue education, which are essential steps for moving forward. Without these opportunities, people often struggle to lift themselves out of poverty and are more likely to re-offend out of necessity or lack of options.
The statistics reveal an incredible impact. A study in Michigan found that individuals who received an expungement were rearrested at remarkably low rates, with only 7.1% rearrested within five years of having their records cleared. The rate was even lower for violent crimes, with only 2.6% rearrested and less than 1% reconvicted. By enabling people to access stable employment, clean slate laws can help reduce recidivism and enhance public safety. When people have the resources and support they need to succeed, they are less likely to re-engage in criminal behavior, creating safer communities for everyone.
Economic Empowerment Through Clean Slate Laws
The economic advantages of Clean Slate Legislation are equally compelling and affect both individuals and society at large. For those who receive an expungement, the opportunity to earn a higher income, achieve financial independence, and contribute more significantly to the local economy can be life-changing. In Oklahoma, personal income for individuals who received an expungement increased by 25% within just two years. In Michigan, expungement recipients saw a 23% increase in quarterly wages within a year, along with a 13% increase inthe likelihood of being employed. By enabling people to find better jobs and earn higher wages, Clean Slate Legislation can lift entire communities and reduce reliance on public assistance. Since the passage of Pennsylvania’s 2019 Clean Slate law more than 34 Million records have been cleared. Clean Slate has boosted economic opportunity for thousands of Pennsylvania families.
On a national level, the United States loses an estimated $87 billion in GDP every year by keeping individuals with criminal records out of the workforce. By enabling more people to work and contribute economically, clean slate laws can help bridge this gap, ultimately increasing tax revenues and reducing tax spending on financial assistance programs. A study from Stanford University estimated that for every individual who receives an expungement, the tax benefits amount to $5,800 annually. Clean Slate policies thus serve as an economic stimulus that allows communities to thrive by fully utilizing the potential of their members.
Reducing Racial and Economic Inequities
Clean slate legislation is also a powerful tool for addressing racial and economic disparities. Criminal records disproportionately impact communities of color, who are often overrepresented in the criminal justice system. African Americans, for example, make up 26% of the prison population while representing only 13% of the general U.S. population. These inequalities are further exacerbated by the barriers created by criminal records, making it more difficult for individuals in these communities to secure employment, housing, and education. Clean Slate laws help mitigate these disparities by removing lifelong barriers that disproportionately impact communities of color and low-income individuals.
Importantly, economic stability often has intergenerational effects. Studies have shown that increasing a family’s income by just $3,000 during a child’s early years can increase that child’s future income by 17%. The benefits of Clean Slate legislation extend to future generations, breaking cycles of poverty and opening doors to a brighter future.
A Path to Fairness and Redemption
At its heart, Clean Slate Legislation represents a commitment to fairness and justice. Criminal records, even for minor offenses, can cast a long shadow, affecting people for years or even decades. This is particularly harsh for individuals who may have committed minor infractions in their youth but have since worked hard to rebuild their lives. Clean slate laws recognize the dignity of every person and the principle that a single mistake should not define a lifetime.
This legislation also aligns with broader efforts to reform the criminal justice system and address systemic inequities. By reducing the collateral consequences of criminal records, clean slate laws promote a more just society in which everyone has the chance to contribute and thrive. The benefits of Clean Slate policies go beyond the individual, creating a ripple effect that strengthens communities and fosters greater equity.
