The Final Stage Reentry Project: An RCT of Expungement and its Effect on Recidivism, Housing, and Employment

This proposal seeks to study the impact of expungement on reentry outcomes through a two-site randomized-controlled trial (RCT), involving expungement eligible offenders in Kansas and in Western Pennsylvania. The participants will be randomized to different levels of service (self-help materials or attorney representation) from oversubscribed legal service providers. The applicant anticipates expungement outcomes will differ by level of service, allowing the applicant to employ an instrumental variables’ design to infer the effect of expungement on three primary outcomes: recidivism, housing stability and employment. The research team states that the assistance of legal aid produces a near 100% success rate of expungement requests. This proposal seeks to enroll approximately 300 participants in Kansas and 1,050 participants in Western Pennsylvania in 18 months. Each participant will have a two-year follow-up window post-expungement decision. Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF