Lawbreakers and lawmakers.
Here is the thing. One very surprising fact about modern America is that more than 70 million people have some form of criminal record. Interestingly, that number is roughly equal to the number of Americans who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Of course, a criminal record can mean many different things. It may involve a serious felony conviction. On the other hand, it can also result from a minor offense. It could have been from an arrest that never led to a conviction. Or it could be some dumb mistake made many years ago. The term covers a broad range of circumstances and individuals.
But the point is, this comparison highlights just how common criminal records are in the United States. In fact, nearly one in three adults has some type of record in government databases. It could be you. Or your neighbor. Or a coworker. Many of these individuals are employed and raising families. They are just living their lives, paying taxes, and contributing to their communities.
At the same time, a criminal record can create long-lasting and really big challenges. Almost everyone these days performs background checks. We’ve heard about those checks everywhere. Employers, landlords, licensing boards, and financial institutions. All of them are checking out who we might be. But these criminal records stick around. Even a decades-old offense can affect a person’s ability to find housing, secure employment, or even to get an education.
Supporters of criminal justice reform argue that people who have completed their sentences should have a fair opportunity to rebuild their lives. The flip side of that is the whole bunch of people who emphasize the importance of public safety and access to relevant background information.
As a result, lawmakers continue to debate policies involving expungement, record sealing, and second-chance initiatives. Where do you stand on this? Does time served mean all is well and good?
Regardless of where one stands on the issue, these numbers reveal an important reality in America. Having a criminal record is far more common in our country than many people realize.
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“Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” — Oscar Wilde
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“The true measure of a society is how it treats those who have made mistakes.” — Adapted from Fyodor Dostoevsky
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“No person is defined by the worst day of their life.” — Bryan Stevenson
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“We all make mistakes, but the wisest learn from them.” — Winston Churchill
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