Years in the Making: Justice Action Network Applauds Minnesota Legislature for Passing Major, Transformational Criminal Justice Reforms
Saint Paul, Minn. (May 16, 2023) – The Justice Action Network (JAN) commends the Minnesota legislature for passing several major and transformative criminal justice reforms late last night. The reform provisions—some of which are years in the making—were included in the conference report for SF2909 passed by both chambers and represent a significant step towards creating a fairer and more equitable justice system for all Minnesotans while significantly expanding opportunities for a true second chance.
“At the heart of all the reforms passed by the Minnesota legislature yesterday is the fundamental recognition that those who have made a mistake and dedicated themselves to earning a second chance should be able to obtain one, and that Minnesotans who are either incarcerated, serving a sentence in their communities, or who have a past criminal record deserve to be treated with dignity,” said Lauren Krisai, Deputy Director of the Justice Action Network, “We want to thank all the sponsors of the important pieces of legislation included in the conference report for their dedication and tireless advocacy, as well as the stakeholders, partner organizations, and advocates who worked alongside JAN or led the charge on these important reforms.”
Some of the provisions contained in the conference report include:
The Minnesota Clean Slate Act: The product of four years of work and collaboration between stakeholders and partners in Minnesota, this bill simplifies and automates the complicated, confusing, and expensive existing record expungement process in the state. Originally introduced as legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis), the bill will establish a process that allows qualified Minnesotans to have their low-level felony and misdemeanor criminal records automatically expunged after remaining crime free for a number of years, adding Minnesota to an expanding list of states that have set up a similar automatic expungement framework aimed at reducing barriers to employment, housing, education, and more.
Retroactive Probation Reform: Originally introduced as legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) and Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten (DFL-Saint Paul), this provision codifies the Minnesota Sentencing Guideline Commission’s enacted five-year probation sentence cap and provides for its retroactive application, which will allow people who were sentenced to lengthy probation terms prior to 2020 to have them reduced or terminated. With Minnesota having one of the highest probation populations per capita in the country, this will open doors for many individuals whose lengthy and unnecessary probationary terms only serve as a barrier to finding meaningful employment and earning a second chance, sometimes for decades after their initial conviction.
Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing (PIR): Originally introduced as legislation sponsored by Representative Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview) and Senator Ron Latz (DFL-Saint Louis Park), this provision gives prosecutors the authority to review past cases and sentences, promoting consistency and fairness in sentencing practices. This would add Minnesota to the list of states that have enacted similar legislation in recent years, including Louisiana, Oregon and Washington.
Free Prison Phone and Video Calls: Originally filed as legislation sponsored by House Assistant Majority Leader Esther Agbaje (DFL-Minneapolis) and Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten (DFL-Saint Paul), the provision removes the financial burden associated with maintaining contact during incarceration by providing access to free phone and video calls from prison, and recognizes the importance of family connections and their role in reducing recidivism rates once people are released from prison. Minnesota families currently spend an estimated $4.5 million annually to keep in contact with incarcerated loved ones.
SF2909 is expected to be signed by Governor Tim Walz this month.
The Justice Action Network (JAN) is the nation’s largest bipartisan criminal justice organization working at both the state and federal levels. JAN advances evidence-based policy that improves public safety, reduces recidivism, and boosts the economy.