Justice Action Network

05/07/2026

Major milestone reached: more than 1.5 million criminal records have been sealed under Minnesota's Clean Slate law in its first year of implementation.

JAN helped shape and advocate for Minnesota’s Clean Slate automatic expungement law, which is now showing real impact: with over 1.5 million records expunged under the law, more Minnesotans can move forward without an old record continuing to block employment, housing, and stability, making second chances real in people’s everyday lives.

In this video, MN Democratic House Floor Leader and Clean Slate sponsor, Rep. Jamie Long, reflects on the broad impact Clean Slate brings to the state. His message points to something simple: when unnecessary barriers to second chances come down, Minnesotans and their communities are stronger for it.

04/30/2026

April is Second Chance Month, a time to celebrate efforts to break down barriers to opportunity and highlight the ongoing legislative progress that helps those with old criminal records move forward.

Across the country, JAN is advancing second chance policies that deliver transformative results, helping clear unnecessary obstacles to success and open doors to new possibilities.

As Second Chance Month comes to a close, we’re highlighting the impact of second chance policy reforms JAN has helped advance.

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04/15/2026

Last year, Arizona created the Independent Correctional Oversight Office (SB 1507), but didn’t fund it. This year, JAN-supported bipartisan bills (SB 1032 & HB 2063) passed both chambers to address that, and we look forward to seeing that commitment reflected in this year's state budget.

In this video, AZ Sen. Analise Ortiz explains why prison oversight matters for families, staff, and taxpayers, and why practical accountability should remain a bipartisan priority.

03/31/2026

Independent correctional oversight is a practical tool for strengthening public trust and government transparency. Without external review, emerging risks can go unaddressed, allowing problems to escalate and become more harmful and costly to resolve.

In this video, Arizona Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R) shares her experience visiting Arizona's prisons and explains why her push to create and fund independent prison oversight with legislation is a smart investment for the state. JAN is proud to support her efforts.

03/30/2026

New coverage in Reason highlights a JAN supported bill in Minnesota that would allow individuals to sue law enforcement officers and other government officials for constitutional violations.

"This bill isn't partisan, it isn't about targeting any specific agency, it's about ensuring that unchecked power doesn't become the norm, and that every Minnesotan has a meaningful path to justice when their rights are violated." -Estrella López, JAN Senior State Policy Manager

We’re proud to support the bill alongside groups like Institute for Justice.

We appreciate the leadership of House DFL Floor Leader Rep. Jamie Long, Senate President Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, and Sen. Omar Fateh on this important issue.

Read more: reason.com/2026/03/27/minnesota-bills-would-create-state-right-to-sue-government-officials-for-constitutional-violations/
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Two different pieces of legislation aim to create state workarounds to the procedural quagmire of federal civil rights litigation.

03/26/2026

Since Minnesota's Clean Slate Act went into effect last year, over 1.6 million records have been expunged!

Minnesota House Democratic Floor leader and Clean Slate sponsor, Rep. Jamie Long, is a strong champion for second chances.

03/18/2026

JAN pushes bipartisan reform that's ultimately about people, not politics.

JAN's Director of External Affairs, Syrita Simpkins, captures why she does this work: when you can see the impact on people's lives, it’s worth every effort it takes to build durable change.

03/10/2026

Independent prison oversight is necessary for improving transparency and accountability.

External oversight shines a light on what happens inside prisons, helps to identify issues before they become widespread problems, and supports safer environments for everyone impacted by the system.

Here’s why funding Arizona's Independent Correctional Oversight Office is more important than ever.

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03/06/2026

Real reform doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of building support, earning trust, and laying the groundwork for change that lasts.

This year in Minnesota, JAN is building on past wins and advancing practical next steps that enhance public safety, fairness, and opportunity.

Sustainable justice reform doesn't just come with passing bills. It takes sustained efforts to keep conversations focused on how to make continuous improvement.

Read more about our priorities in this snapshot: