Many potential college applicants face obstacles when confronted with questions about their criminal history on applications. For individuals like Abigail Cook, these inquiries can act as deterrents, either dissuading them from completing applications or subjecting them to additional challenges and stigma if they answer “yes.”
Cook’s encounter with the justice system began at 17 with her arrest, followed by a conviction at 18, and release on probation at 19. Her journey to Georgia State University during the onset of the pandemic post-release was fraught with hurdles.
Currently, Cook is advocating for House Bill 427 (HB 427) in Georgia, aiming to eliminate these questions and enhance educational access for individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Beyond the Box, an organization in Georgia, focuses on dismantling legal and social barriers hindering System Impacted People from pursuing higher education post-release. Cook, actively involved with the group since her release, highlights the challenges faced by individuals seeking education opportunities after incarceration.
HB 427, presented to the Georgia legislature on Feb. 15, 2023, falls under the Georgia House Committee of Higher Education. The bill proposes the removal of criminal conviction queries from applications within the University System of Georgia, potentially expanding educational prospects for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Statistics reveal that applicants with felony convictions are 2.5 times more likely to encounter rejections from colleges compared to the general populace, as stated on Beyond the Box’s website. Advocates foresee the transformative impact of HB 427 on educational opportunities for the currently and previously incarcerated.
The bill includes exceptions mandating the disclosure of convictions for sexually violent crimes and criminal history for applicants seeking campus housing. Patrick Rodriguez, a co-founder of Beyond the Box alongside Cook, emphasizes the bill’s objective to diminish barriers hindering individuals with criminal histories from pursuing a rehabilitative path post-incarceration.
Removing criminal history inquiries from college applications can significantly benefit individuals seeking to reintegrate into society post-release. Studies indicate that access to education substantially reduces the likelihood of recidivism, underlining the importance of initiatives like HB 427 in facilitating successful reentry into society.
Georgia’s initiative to eliminate criminal history questions from job applications in 2015 set the stage for HB 427. Representative Gregg Kennard (D-Gwinnett) introduced HB 427 with bipartisan support, aiming to extend the removal of the “felony box” to college applications in Georgia.
The implications of banning such inquiries are vast, considering that a significant portion of the American population has some form of criminal history. In Georgia alone, approximately 40% of residents have a criminal record and could benefit directly from HB 427’s provisions.
Beyond the educational barrier, criminal history inquiries pose long-term challenges for individuals striving for self-improvement post-release. Access to higher education not only enhances employment and financial opportunities but also sets a positive example for future generations within families affected by incarceration.
Despite the hurdles and stigma associated with criminal history inquiries, advocates like Cook and Rodriguez persist in their efforts to create pathways for individuals with past convictions to access higher education and rebuild their lives.