Ex-Convicts Turn Out To Apply For Second Chance
Expungement Summit Held At Roberto Clemente High School
CHICAGO (CBS) ― A massive effort took place Saturday to help some Cook County residents clean up their rap sheets, in an attempt to make it easier for those with criminal records to rebuild their lives.
As CBS 2′s Pamela Jones reports, clearing criminal histories can help remove obstacles that can block such necessities for life outside prison such as employment and housing.
The opportunity to expunge criminal records motivates 2,000 to 3,000 people to line up each year for the Expungement Summit, which took place at Roberto Clemente Community Academy, 1147 N. Western Ave.
The event was open to people with non-violent offenses on their rap sheets, such as drug possession. Participants got the chance to sit down with more than 70 volunteer attorneys to file the paperwork required to clear or seal criminal records.
People started arriving at the event around 5 a.m., and Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown said she was impressed with the turnout. Organizers expected some 3,000 people to attend.
“If people that have non-violent offenses have the opportunity that the state legislature has actually provided them to get their records expunged, they can then go on to get jobs, proper housing and the like,” Brown said.
People with criminal histories like Michael Long.
I am looking for some type of help. Your acticle on ex-convicts turn out to apply for second chance. I was wondering if there was anything like that here in the Ohio area.
we_love_you_dale@att.net
thanks