Christina Johnson had saved for years to get an apartment for herself and her son in New York, after having spent three years in prison at age 17. So when she walked into the building, with the cash and housewarming plans, she didn’t expect this
Her application was rejected through NYCHA, the U.S.’s major public housing agency because of her criminal record! She applied for at least 30 apartments, but faced just as many rejections despite having stable employment and funds.
And although formerly incarcerated prospective renters face barriers anywhere, some cities’ absence of critical legal protections makes it worse.
“Fair chance for housing” laws are designed to stop discrimination against people with records looking for housing. In NYC alone, that’s around 750,000 people! In the entire U.S., it’s 77 million.
Eviction, unemployment, and homelessness continue to be a cycle linked to incarceration. And Black people keep being forced into the system for simply not having enough resources to survive. How is any of that about rehabilitation or public safety?
What is the point of giving people "freedom” if, like Johnson, they’re going to be locked out of returning to society beyond prison's walls? Prisons, the criminal legal system, and the cycle of poverty are intentionally hindering progress, and weakening Black communities from the inside out.