Statement on the Signing of the Clean Slate Act

“The Fortune Society celebrates the signing of the Clean Slate Act. Today brings hope for a fresh start to thousands of New Yorkers and their families. Today we recognize people for who they have become instead of demonizing them for their past mistakes. At Fortune, we acknowledge that none of us should be judged for the worst thing we have ever done and we believe in the possibility and power of individual transformation,” says Stanley Richards, Deputy CEO of The Fortune Society. “As someone who will benefit from the passage of Clean Slate, I can attest that this legislation carries both concrete and symbolic weight for so many people, particularly Black and brown people who are disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system. It is a value statement that says people should not suffer perpetual punishment and that we all have the potential to live a life of contribution.”

The Fortune Society is grateful to Governor Hochul for supporting people on their reentry journeys; to the bill sponsors, Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, for their vision and persistence; and to the many advocates across the state who organized and fought for years to ensure passage of this legislation. Fortune is proud to have partnered in this monumental effort to help mitigate the stigma of a conviction for so many of our fellow New Yorkers.