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eNewsletter - July 23, 2010
Do you have a criminal record and have you applied to college?
The Center on Community Alternatives (CCA) is completing a study that examines the growing practice among colleges and universities to screen college applicants for criminal histories.
The purpose of the study is to show the benefits of a college education for all – including people with criminal records – and the ways that denying people a college education because of a criminal record undermines basic civil rights and ultimately harms the community. This project was an extension of the Unchaining Civil Rights Project CCA and the National H.I.R.E. Network completed a few years ago.
CCA is looking to speak with people who have criminal records and have applied to college to learn about how their record affected their ability to enroll. CCA is interested in learning about various experiences:
(1) people who were interested in attending college but decided NOT to apply because the criminal history questions on the application discouraged them;
(2) people who applied to college but were turned down because of their criminal record and gave up on their dream to attend;
(3) people who applied to college, were turned down because of their criminal record, but eventually were admitted to college;
(4) people who applied to college and never encountered any type of discrimination regarding their criminal record.
In addition, CCA is interested specific areas of study and people who have certain types of convictions:
(1) Someone who attended college and earned a degree in a health-related field and was able to then get a job in that field. They are interested in this issue as many jobs in the health field are closed to people with criminal records.
(2) An individual who was convicted of a crime of violence who was able to attend college.
CCA will do a telephone interview that will ask general background information, and about the experience of applying to and attending college. The stories will be used in a report that CCA is preparing. All names – the person’s name and the name of the college or university - will be changed to ensure confidentiality, unless the individual wants his or her real name to be shared.
Please share this information with people who have any of the experiences above and who would be willing to speak with us. If you are interested, please respond to
mweissman@communityalternatives.org or call Marsha Weissman at 315-422-5638.
Thank you in advance for your support and help with this important project. CCA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote reintegrative justice and a reduced reliance on incarceration through advocacy, services and public policy development in pursuit of civil and human rights. More information about CCA can be found at www.communityalternatives.org.
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