Senate Bill 1220, versions of which have stalled for years, will likely be brought to a floor vote in early 2012. It would add low-level nonviolent misdemeanor convictions, such as shoplifting, check fraud, and possession of small amounts of marijuana, to the types of offenses that can be expunged from criminal records under certain conditions. If passed, it would move to the House.
Supporters say that despite a convicted person's time served, time clean, and earnest intentions, a criminal record haunts forever.
"We've had people come in who were turned down for jobs," said Kitchen, who has represented the Third District, which includes the neighborhoods of Nicetown, Olney, Fox Chase, Lawncrest, and Melrose Park Garden, for four terms. "We've actually had people come in who could afford the apartment, but after the background check were turned down. It is really a shame. It really limits your life chances."
One 40-year-old who was part of the Harrisburg lobbying day this month is living in a crawl space. Laid off from his warehouse job making plastics about a year ago, the father of two recently received his commercial driver's license. He has left applications with about 20 companies, keeping a list so he doesn't repeat his efforts. But, he said - wanting to use only his middle name, Edward, because of his unemployment burden - those who replied told him he could not be hired because of his criminal record.
"I understand that there's a lot they have to consider before they hire someone like me," said Edward, who lives in the Northeast with his children and their mother, a nursing assistant. He has two felony charges, statutory sexual assault and burglary.
Edward said that when he was 24, he didn't know that his girlfriend was 16. Seven years later, he was convicted for riding in a car he said he didn't know was stolen.
