Michael Sweig, JD

I advocate for people with criminal records.  I, too, have a criminal record.

I left my law practice in 1997, and in 1998, I voluntarily relinquished my law license, turned myself into the local prosecutor, and plead guilty to a felony for a long-resolved 1995 trust account violation that nevertheless was a serious legal transgression. I served a 48-month probation sentence that included a year of home confinement and 500 hours of community service.

In the course of attempting to rehabilitate myself, and by study and teaching as a college professor, it was alarming for me to learn – repeatedly, and remains sobering, the extent that people with criminal records suffer extensive discrimination in employment, housing, public aid, access to education, student loans, etc., together with the stigmatized identity that results from having a criminal record, particularly a felony. (America has about 17 million felons, and most of us are not incarcerated).

People with criminal records are the largest unrepresented constituency and the singular class of Americans who suffer the most LEGAL discrimination than any other community in America.

There are roughly 65 million Americans with criminal records, and approximately 700,000 people with criminal records released from American prisons annually. The average unemployment rate among people with criminal records is sky high in a “normal” economy.

Together, through organized lobbying and advocacy, people with criminal records can effect changes in the oppressive public policies that prevent us from being “even” with society once we have paid our dues by serving our sentences.

Discrimination against people with criminal records is a wrong which tarnishes American society, and demoralizes and devalues millions of valuable human beings and their families.

My own path as a felon and citizen has led me to conclude that education, prolonged and organized civic engagement, and aggressive use of the First Amendment is a key tool for people with criminal records to effect social change.

Michael Sweig, JD
Founder, Institute for People with Criminal Records

Email me: msweig@thepcrinstitute.org