The expungement process is prohibitively lengthy and expensive, even for eligible Kentuckians. It's time to automate portions of that process to give eligible Kentuckians access to employment, housing, and other resources required for success.
Kentucky has a mass incarceration crisis:
If Kentucky were its own country, it would have a higher incarceration rate than any other democracy on earth, including the U.S. This is driven largely by the failed War on Drugs, with 30,000 Kentuckians behind bars. Additionally, as of November 2022, there were just under 20,000 Kentuckians incarcerated for a felony conviction and another 61,000 under state supervision.
Clean Slate legislation would increase access to expungement by implementing an automated process that would eliminates fees, relieving people of the burdens of requesting and paying for expungement. The legal system should never treat people differently based on their wealth.
A community issue:
Having a past conviction can make people ineligible for job opportunities, professional licenses, housing assistance, education, volunteering with their children’s activities, and more. Expungement lowers rates of recidivism by offering people a clean slate and the opportunity to move forward as full members of their communities.
An economic issue:
Past convictions can prevent people from contributing to the workforce and, by extension, contributing to the state’s tax base. Kentucky is in the bottom 10 states for workforce participation and the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated people is 27%.
An equity issue:
Black Kentuckians make up 12% of our state’s population, but a staggering 22% of Kentucky’s incarcerated population. Unjust Kentucky laws and overpolicing of Black and Brown communities disproportionately and unfairly harm Black and Brown families.
By the numbers:
- #3 – Kentucky has the third-highest women's incarceration rate in the U.S.
- #2 – Kentucky has the second-highest rate of children with an incarcerated parent.
- 2X – Black women are incarcerated at double the rate of white women nationally.
- 300,000 Kentuckians have been convicted of a felony and are burdened with lifelong consequences that harm them, their families, their communities, and our economy.
- 243,000 Kentuckians with a past felony conviction have completed their entire sentence, probation, and parole. They deserve a fair shot at getting back on their feet and contributing to their communities.
- Only 8% of Kentuckians are Black, yet Black people make up 22% of Kentucky’s incarcerated population.
Bill Movement:
Introduced: 2/15/24
Passed Committee: N/A
Passed House: N/A
Accepted by Senate: N/A
Passed Committee: N/A
Passed Senate: N/A
Sent to Governor: N/A
Action by Governor: N/A
