Locked Up, Locked Out: Community event covers daily effects of a criminal record
TakeAction Minnesota hosted a community conversation on July 12 with the Minneapolis Urban League called Locked Up, Locked Out to give a personal voice to the everyday challenges faced by individuals with a past criminal record.
One in four Americans have either an arrest or criminal conviction on their record – a majority are drug-related or other nonviolent offenses. In addition, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the disparity between African-Americans and Caucasians with criminal records in Minnesota is four times higher than the national average. Yet the stigma not only continues to shadow over those who have served time, but over their families as well. Having a history with the criminal justice system affects everything from job applications, to obtaining adequate education and housing. Even if a criminal record has been expunged, it can still appear on a background check.
