This first-of-its-kind study from Californians for Safety and Justice offers policy recommendations for eliminating unnecessary barriers and legal restrictions associated with a criminal record, based on the real-life experiences of justice-involved Californians and the challenges they face. Survey data collected in the study show that more than three-quarters of people with records have faced roadblocks to opportunity, including nearly half that report difficulty finding employment and one-quarter who struggle to find housing.

The report concludes that solutions such as automated record-clearing and streamlined expungement processes can help ensure that millions of Americans are able to get the second chance they deserve.