It's Time to REDEEM

REDEEM -- Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment. It's an idea whose time has come. Thanks to Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) the idea is now on the political agenda with the introduction of the REDEEM ACT. (Yet, another bi-partisan effort on the part of young people).

According to the Campaign for Youth Justice's email, the bill includes incentives for states to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 18 years and allows for sealing and expungement of juvenile records. Here are the highlights of the legislation designed to address barriers to re-entry:

• Incentivizes states to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 18-years-old: Currently 10 states (Louisiana, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, South Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, and Texas) have set the original jurisdiction of adult criminal courts below 18-years-old. This sends countless kids into the unforgiving adult criminal system. The REDEEM Act incentivizes states to change that by offering preference to Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant applications for those that have set 18 or older as the age of original jurisdiction for adult criminal courts.
• Offers adults way to seal non-violent criminal records: Presents the first broad-based federal path to the sealing of criminal records for adults. Non-violent offenders will be able to petition a court and make their case. Furthermore, employers requesting FBI background checks will get only relevant and accurate information - thereby protecting job applicants - because of provisions to improve the background check system.
• Allows for sealing and expungement of juvenile records: Provides for automatic expungement of records for kids who commit non-violent crimes before they turn 15 and automatic sealing of records for those who commit non-violent crimes after they turn 15 years old.
• Restricts use of juvenile solitary confinement: Ends the cruel and counterproductive practice of solitary confinement except in the most extreme circumstances in which it is necessary to protect a juvenile detainee or those around them.
• Lifts ban on SNAP and TANF benefits for low-level drug offenders: The REDEEM Act restores access to benefits for those who have served their time for use, possession, and distribution crimes provided their offense was rationally related to a substance abuse disorder and they have enrolled in a treatment program.

This is a powerful piece of legislation that we need right now!