Low-level offenders deserve a second chance
Happy Friday y'all! Today we have a columns about a range of topics from clean slate policies to air travel understaffing. Let's jump right into it.
Low-level offenders deserve a second chance
By Nathan Deal
A third of American adults have an arrest or criminal record of some kind. Regardless of the nature of the charge or its disposition in court, that record can be like a scarlet R, haunting people for life as they seek jobs, an apartment or admission to college. Any boss or landlord conducting a background check can see the public record, assume the worst and decline to take a risk.
Many Americans are eligible to have their criminal records sealed or expunged, lowering barriers to rehabilitation and the odds of recidivism. Sadly, that rarely happens. Most are either unaware of their right to petition for relief or deterred by the cost and complexity of the process. A University of Michigan study found that less than 7% of people who can get their records expunged do so within five years after they qualify.
One solution is to legislate “clean slate” policies – the automatic sealing of some lower-level criminal records.
Today's Editorial Cartoon
Understaffing is fueling stress, anger in airports and on planes
By Richard Johnsen
There has been a lot of news lately about air rage. You’ve probably seen the viral videos: violent passengers, many angry about mask policies, throwing punches at flight crews and putting other passengers at risk.
It’s happening on the ground, too. Airport workers like customer service agents are usually the first contact for travelers at the airport, and often the first in line for abuse.
The Federal Aviation Authority has imposed stiffer penalties for violent offenders and stepped up public awareness campaigns to try to deter the violence in the first place. But those measures alone aren’t working.
I do whatever I can to keep my children out of homeless shelters
By Shamaya Morris
I'm a 36-year-old single mother, and I’ve worried about losing my home every day of my life. I live in New York City, and while the eviction moratorium has been lifesaving, I’ve gone through this enough times to know it will only do so much.
As a child, I was in and out of foster homes. Then, at 16, the agency sent me to Covenant House – an organization that helps youth facing homelessness – where I stayed for almost two years. Now as a parent, I refuse to let my kids experience instability, and I do everything I can to keep us out of the shelter system, including choosing at times to live apart rather than together in a shelter or other unsafe conditions.
While I’m grateful for the eviction moratorium brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, I need our government leaders to help me get into permanent housing once and for all. This perpetual cycle of housing insecurity is unlivable, and staying in a temporary homeless shelter is almost as bad as no shelter at all. Instead of focusing solely on short-term relief like the moratorium and homeless shelters, I need help actually securing, building and keeping a permanent home.
Other columns to check out
- California, Texas mandate 'morality' through businesses like they're toys
- 'We feel invisible': Former WFT cheerleader speaks out on team, NFL culture
- Ending qualified immunity won't ruin cops' finances. It will better protect the public.
- More migrant caravans are coming. We need humane solutions.
This newsletter was compiled by Jaden Amos.