Executive Summary

This proposal urges the Indiana Legislature to establish legal protections for individuals reentering society following incarceration by designating them as a Protected Class. Modeled after Atlanta’s recent groundbreaking ordinance, this initiative addresses systemic discrimination in employment, housing, and education, empowering returning citizens to reintegrate successfully and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Introduction

Despite rehabilitative efforts and professional achievements, many returning citizens face exclusion from opportunities essential to stability. The stigma associated with criminal records continues to limit access to jobs and housing, prolonging the cycle of hardship. This proposal highlights the critical need for legislation that offers equal opportunities and reinforces the principle of rehabilitation.

Personal Incident Highlighting the Need for Change

My own experience reflects the depth of prejudice faced by many returning citizens striving to rebuild their lives. After dedicating years to rehabilitation through education and earning 25 certifications, including proficiency in Full-Stack Web Development through a program called 'The Last Mile,' I secured employment immediately upon release. The Last Mile, known for their bare minimum recidivism rates among participants, equips individuals with high-demand technical and professional skills, to help them reintegrate effectively and secure meaningful employment. Meaningful to the point of never looking back to previous lifestyles.

Despite these efforts, I encountered severe prejudice at my workplace. Rather than being recognized for my qualifications and hard work, I was reduced to a stereotype by a senior manager, who dismissed me as nothing more than a “convict.” This interaction painfully illustrates the persistence of stigma that undermines personal growth and rehabilitation efforts, even when individuals acquire marketable skills that align with workforce demands.

Programs like The Last Mile demonstrate that proper training and employment opportunities drastically reduce the likelihood of re-offending. Yet, the lack of legal protections allows bias to persist unchecked, jeopardizing the successful reintegration of many justice-impacted individuals. This experience underlines the need for Indiana to adopt similar reforms to those enacted in Atlanta, where the city designated formerly incarcerated individuals as a protected class. These measures ensure hiring decisions are made based on qualifications and relevance to job responsibilities, not past mistakes, fostering a more inclusive workforce and reducing recidivism.

Determined to address the matter professionally, I confronted the behavior, only to be unjustly terminated for raising concerns. This episode stripped me of my livelihood and underscored the persistent barriers returning citizens encounter—barriers that perpetuate exclusion and hardship. It is clear that without legal protections, many will continue to face these challenges, undermining rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

Learning from Atlanta’s Example

In October 2022, the City of Atlanta enacted a bold ordinance recognizing formerly incarcerated people as a Protected Class, prohibiting businesses from denying housing or employment based solely on criminal records unless it directly relates to job duties. The ordinance encourages objective assessments of applicants and emphasizes qualifications rather than past mistakes. Advocates champion this legislation for reducing recidivism and fostering economic stability by removing barriers that prevent returning citizens from accessing essential opportunities .

Atlanta’s approach offers a blueprint for Indiana. By ensuring that hiring decisions reflect an applicant’s current ability rather than their history, the city empowers justice-impacted individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity. The measure also enhances public safety by promoting stability and reducing reliance on the criminal justice system.

Proposed Legislation for Indiana

Inspired by Atlanta, Indiana should:

 1. Designate Returning Citizens as a Protected Class, safeguarding them from discriminatory practices.

 2. Mandate fair hiring and housing standards, requiring that criminal history be relevant to the specific job or tenancy.

 3. Create an enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance, promoting accountability and protecting the rights of all residents.

Expected Benefits

 • Lower Recidivism: Removing discriminatory barriers will enable access to steady employment and housing, reducing re-offending rates.

 • Enhanced Social Justice: Providing returning citizens with equal opportunities reflects Indiana’s commitment to fairness and human dignity.

 • Economic Growth: Reintegration strengthens the workforce and fosters economic productivity, ultimately reducing the financial burden on public systems.

 

Conclusion

Indiana has an opportunity to become a leader in criminal justice reform by following Atlanta’s example. Designating returning citizens as a Protected Class is not just a symbolic act—it is a necessary step toward ensuring equality, safety, and opportunity for all residents. The ripple effect of these protections will enhance economic stability and strengthen communities.

Call to Action

We urge lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and community leaders to support this essential reform. Indiana must act now to remove these systemic barriers and ensure that every resident—regardless of their past—has the opportunity to rebuild their life, contribute to society, and achieve lasting success.

 

By implementing these reforms, Indiana can move toward a more inclusive, just, and prosperous future for all its citizens.