Turning Paper into Pulp: A conversation about record clearing for people living and aging with HIV
More than 79 million people in the United States have a criminal record. As a result, they may face one or more of nearly 44,000 collateral consequences – government-imposed restrictions that apply even after a person has completed their sentence. These restrictions vary by state and by what is on one's record. And “44,000” does not include the additional informal barriers people experience from landlords, employers, and others – discrimination against people with criminal records is only prohibited in limited contexts.
For people living and aging with HIV, these obstacles can compound the already existing barriers to employment, housing, healthcare, and other social determinants of health. What should be a guarantee – aging with dignity and healthfulness – too often becomes difficult to achieve. Record clearing can be a complex and time-consuming process, but success can significantly increase access to necessary services and benefits.
Presenters
- Linda Felix, Community Advocate
- Taylor Pacheco, Executive Director, Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity
- Sarah Staudt, Policy and Advocacy Director, Prison Policy Initiative
- Natalie Kean, Director, Federal Health Advocacy, Justice in Aging
- Moderator: Kae Greenberg, Staff Attorney, CHLP
This CHLP Aging Initiative webinar will explore the real impact that “mere paper” can have on a person’s ability to age with dignity. Panelists will share practical steps individuals can take to remove these barriers. We’ll also introduce new CHLP-created record-clearing resources designed to assist people living and aging with HIV in this process.
This webinar will be 90 minutes.
