The Connecticut Second Chance​ ​Pardon​ ​Gap

Connecticut Law Chapter 961a Section 54-142a, 960a Sections 54-76o and 54-130a allows individuals whose criminal records meet certain conditions to apply for pardons of their past convictions. Proposed Bill SB 403, Connecticut’s “Clean Slate” Act, likewise would provide automatic erasure the a subset who can pardons. Ascertaining, then applying existing law proposed sample 309,827 histories with convictions records, extrapolating estimated population 450K in state convictions, we estimate share number people are eligible pardons, under eligibility rules but have not received relief therefore fall into “second chance gap,” difference between applications receipt relief. (We did model legal financial obligations or other out record criteria). Based on methods described above, find that approximately 88% (394K) 80% (355K) from all Under Clean Slate, 60% (266K) be 30% (134K) Based reported State pardoned 626 cases last year available data (2019). At this rate, it take 631 years everyone currently Pardons get them, 425 clear backlog those Slate. The felony decline 10% 8% 2% if were automatically granted them. These facts make automated an administratively attractive option. However, due deficiencies ambiguities uncovered during our analysis, including regarding disposition, chargetype, sentence completion criteria, through approaches require significant normalization cleaning efforts. We include, Appendix E, statute drafting alternatives address problems, based previous Slate Included report Methodology (Appendix A); Disposition Data Report B); C (Common Charges); Detailed Absolute Pardon Statistics D); Clearance Criteria Challenges Legislative Drafting Alternatives E). F contains further analyses by race. Black men two times more likely four incarcerated than white men, black adult at rate is 14-15 prevalence general population. F) Automation SB403 both decrease racial disparities, automation do so much considerable degree.