I traveled as a first-time attendee to the Clean Slate Initiative annual convening in Chicago earlier this month. The convening celebrated the 5th year anniversary for the Clean Slate Initiative launch. The Clean Slate Initiative, a national advocacy organization, is working across the country to pass and implement laws that automate record sealing for people...Read More

PURPOSE The Community Justice Intern or Practicum Student will support Empower Missouri’s leadership in advancing fair and equitable criminal justice policies throughout the state. Empower Missouri’s criminal legal system reform work centers on reducing mass incarceration, ending racial disparities in the criminal legal system, and promoting public safety strategies that strengthen communities rather than relying...Read More

The 2025 Missouri legislative session ended last week with some controversy and tension as the Senate invoked Previous Question, or “PQ”, to cut off debate. The Senate employed this “nuclear option” to force a vote on two bills that were in direct contradiction to laws passed by the majority of Missouri voters in the November...Read More

As an organization focused on ending poverty in our state, Empower Missouri is deeply aware of the individual costs of a criminal record. Limited housing, employment, and education options can leave a person with a lifetime struggling to overcome a past mistake, long after they have served their time. But in Missouri alone, there are...Read More

Date: April 2, 2025 To: Chairman Mayhew and Members, Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 774, 603, 729 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through...Read More

Date: April 1, 2025 To: Representative Casteel, Chairman, and Members of the House Commerce Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 1505 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy....Read More

Date: March 26, 2025 To: Representative Myers, Chairman, and Members of the House Crime and Public Safety Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 591 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri...Read More

Date: March 25, 2025 To: Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 378 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since its inception,...Read More

Date: March 26, 2025 To: Representative Parker, Chairman, and Members of the House Judiciary Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 989 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy....Read More