‘Clean Slate Lexington’ gives people who have a non-violent criminal record a chance to hit the reset button. Expungement removes barriers for employment, housing and educational opportunities.
Chief Equity Implementation Officer Tiffany Brown said the event goes beyond free legal services.
“From education to substance use disorder support, gun violence support, sober living, housing support, you have mental health services. There are so many resources here to help the whole individual today.”
About two thousand people have been helped through the city’s expungement clinics. Robin is one of them. She walked through the event today with an infectious smile and excitement as if she had won the lottery.
“I have a past record, and I knew that I might would have been shut down a little bit, but that doesn't mean I'm shut down completely.” Robin said, “it gives me motivation to have the courage to think, OK, Robin, as long as you don't go backwards, you're getting closer to what they told you can do so I feel blessed and it's a huge opportunity to get to come out here today and to see all these people and I appreciate you asking me to share with you.
Robin was also willing to share this advice for anyone who is listening who may be walking in her past shoes.
“Keep coming back. Never give up. Stick with winners.”
Statistics from the Kentucky Department of Corrections show that reentry programs have decreased recidivism, the number of people who commit further crimes and end up back in prison once they have been released, which translates to safer communities.
