Safer’s interest and commitment to this area of work is based on the recognition that a variety of policy and legislative obstacles exist that intentionally or unintentionally obstruct the successful return of people with criminal records to their communities. Safer has come to understand that policies such as these may unwittingly encourage recidivism and certainly reduce opportunities for self-sufficiency.

Safer’s overarching advocacy goals are: (1) to increase community awareness of the barriers faced by people with criminal records, (2) to build a broad based coalition to work towards eliminating or reducing these barriers, and (3) to provide a voice and a vehicle for participation by the people most impacted by these policies.

Major Outcomes:

• The establishment, leadership, and staffing of a Council of Advisors to Reduce Recidivism through Employment (C.A.R.R.E.) focused on the reduction of recidivism through employment.
• The expansion of policy and advocacy work with faith-based community groups.
• The inclusion of Safer on local, statewide, and national policy agendas, symposia, roundtables, and conferences as a data source and increasingly as a systems change agent.
• The increase in participation by Safer clients in policy and advocacy activities on issues impacting their lives, participation in expungement and policy summits, participation in discussions with federal and state legislators and other services providers and advocates about policy issues and recommended remedies to support successful reentry and employment.
• Membership in a Criminal Records Collaborative with Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic, Chicago Jobs Council, First Defense Legal Aid, and Sergeant Shriver’s National Center on Poverty Law.
• The convening of the Certificates Implementation Advisory Committee comprised of all key organizations necessary to fully implement the Certificates of Relief and Certificates of Good Conduct Public Act 93-0207. This body has assisted in the planning and implementation of certificates with the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, Adult Probation, and the Circuit Courts.