My City May 2023

us in every way including employment, education and housing. A person can’t focus on anything else if their basic needs aren’t being met.” To address this barri er, Nation Outside voices support of numerous “ban the box” policies (the ‘box” refer ring to a housing or employ ment application that asks if a person has been convicted of a felony), including their push for fair chance housing and hiring. “In Flint, we worked with Hurley Medical Center and they now employ the for merly incarcerated,” says Al len-Bey. “We worked with Washtenaw

explains Allen-Bey. “We organize, mobilize, support and advocate for changes to help formerly incarcerated people and their families. We want to enhance their capacity to shine.” “Nation Outside looks to do two things,” adds Nation Outside Director Ashley Goldon, “drive policy and practice innovation. In other words, we advocate for legislation changes that will eliminate barriers to success for the justice-impacted and support them.” Nation Outside is unique in that it is an organization operated entirely by formerly incarcerated people. The Flint Chapter is the biggest in the state. The staff has over 350 years of lived experience with correctional institutions and represent over two million families impacted by the justice system state-wide. “We are run by returning citizens,” says Allen-Bey. “It’s

something we truly under stand.” This shared back ground leads to direct knowl edge and experience with the multitude of barriers that exist for returning citizens. Current Nation Outside campaigns are focused on addressing each barrier in turn, now and in the future. On October 13, 2020 the Clean Slate Package was passed in Michigan allowing for expungement of lesser felonies and misdemeanors from a person’s record after a determined time period. In 2021, Nation Outside execut ed the largest expungement fair in Michigan’s history. “In two days, nearly 4,000 people showed up,” states Goldon. “We only expected to help around 2,000.” Not every felony is available for expungement; major offenses such as a murder conviction cannot be expunged. Offens es eligible for expungement include marijuana offenses

and lesser felonies. “Many expungements are for traffic violations,” Goldon explains. “There is no notification to returning citizens that this is possible. Part of our work is to get the word out.” In Flint, Allen-Bey has been vocal about the expungement process since day one and has held numerous expunge ment fairs. “We’re looking to do it monthly,” he says. The expungement process is the key to more than just clearing a record. It clears the way to obtaining better housing and employment where the stig ma of having a misdemeanor or felony conviction can keep a returned individual poor and homeless. “The stigma associated with incarceration is maybe the biggest barrier,” says Goldon. “It affects

and Genesee County Sher iff’s offices and they are the only →

“Nation Outside gives a voice to the voiceless. We want to enhance their capacity to shine.”

Johnell Allen-Bey Flint Regional Coordinator

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