Californians with convictions face over 4,800 laws that impose harmful collateral consequences long after successful completion of a sentence,
most of which have no foundation in public safety and serve no purpose other than to make it harder for people to rebuild their lives.
1in5
1 in 5 Californians (an estimated 8 million people) are still living with an old criminal conviction.
8in10
people with a criminal conviction (76 percent) have experienced barriers to success.
8 in 10 people with a criminal conviction (76 percent) have experienced barriers to success.
A CSJ survey of people impacted by the criminal justice system highlighted what they identify as major challenges:
46%
difficulty finding a job
45%
struggle paying fines or fees
40%
health issues including difficulty sleeping
35%
difficulty obtaining an occupational license
24%
difficulty finding housing
The negative impacts of a felony conviction disproportionately impact people of color, people living in urban areas, people without a college degree, and people who are low income. The largest disparities relate to finding a job or housing.
People of color are
25%
more likely than white people to report difficulty finding a job
61%
more likely to report difficulty finding housing
Respondents with household incomes less than $25,000 vs. those with incomes greater than $75,000 are
2X
as likely to report difficulty finding a job
3X
as likely to report difficulty finding housing
CONTRARY TO SOME PUBLIC COMMENTARY
decades of research confirms that there is no relationship between immigration and increased crime. Immigrants – both legal and undocumented – commit less crime and are less likely to be incarcerated or engage in criminal behavior than native-born Americans.
the average debt incurred because of criminal conviction is
$13,607
A recent study conducted in 12 states, including California, shows that the average debt incurred because of a criminal conviction is $13,607.
a base fine of
$390
could result in total court-ordered debt of over
$6,000
A misdemeanor DUI, with a base fine of $390, could result in a total court-ordered debt of over $6000 due to additional charges.
A recent study conducted in 12 states, including California, shows that the average debt incurred because of a criminal conviction is $13,607.
A misdemeanor DUI, with a base fine of $390, could result in a total court-ordered debt of over $6000 due to additional charges.
In 2014, the U.S. lost the equivalent of
1.7 to 1.9 million
workers to restrictions based on conviction records, representing up to an
$87 billion
loss in annual gross domestic product
To address this crisis, Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ) convened a group of leading experts to develop a first-of-its-kind study on the impact of collateral consequences and the opportunity to advance solutions that will eliminate barriers to success and offer real second chances to millions of Californians. Based on the experiences of people living with criminal records and the challenges they face in overcoming those convictions, this groundbreaking research highlights the most pernicious roadblocks, the long-term effects on individuals, families, and communities and recommendations to increase legal remedies and remove unnecessary restrictions.
