Unlocking Hope: How Expungement Transforms Lives in Indiana
By: Alexandra Ross, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
What if your past kept slamming doors on your future? No matter how hard you tried to break down each door, its weight kept hurling you back. You’re tired. You start feeling hopeless. For thousands of Hoosiers with a criminal record, that’s their reality. A criminal record—no matter how old or nonviolent—creates difficult barriers that hold many justice-involved individuals back, even when they’ve paid their debt and are actively striving to move forward.
So, what exactly are the challenges of having a criminal record? Glad you asked.
According to the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI), housing discrimination due to justice involvement or criminal history is still permissible under state law. Studies have also shown that not having access to safe, affordable housing actually increases the chances of reoffending.
It’s generally more difficult for justice-involved individuals to obtain an auto loan because many lenders see their criminal history as a reflection of their character.
Studies show that even if a justice-involved individual is overly qualified for a job position, they’re 50% less likely to receive a call back or job offer just because of their background.
A single criminal conviction can follow someone for the rest of their life, impairing their ability to obtain safe housing, gainful employment, and reliable transportation.
But through Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, they have a second chance.
For over 10 years, the Expungement Help Desk has been offering free expungement services to disadvantaged Hoosiers throughout the state. In Indiana, an expungement is the process by which individuals can obtain legal protections that prevent them from being discriminated against on the basis of their criminal records. This process ultimately allows an individual to leave their past behind and open new doors to a better quality of life.
In 2024 alone, we served 2,650 individuals, freeing them from their legal burden and restoring dignity, hope, and a promising future. And this year, there’s even better news! The Expungement Help Desk is projected to assist an additional 1,400 individuals thanks to a grant-funded Salesforce intake system, which increased productivity by an astounding 24% in only 3 months.
Rachel Gellar, a former Expungement Help Desk client, is proof that second chances are so important to our community. Standing on the steps of Wheeler Mission, Rachel found herself homeless. During her active addiction, she had lost everything—her job, home, and family. Yet, there was hope in Rachel’s story of loss. Through a program at Wheeler Mission, she was connected with Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, where she began the long process of getting her lengthy criminal record expunged. Just last year, she successfully obtained an expungement, wiping her record clean and giving her a much-needed fresh start. Since then, she has moved into a beautiful new apartment with her son and applied for a medical scholarship through IU Health.
Rachel’s triumphant story is why expungements matter. More simply put, her story amplifies why access to justice matters regardless of your income or background. For over 30 years, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic has been fighting for just that—justice for all, including our low-income neighbors. And we will continue to do so for the next 30 years and beyond.
Because justice shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be a right for everyone.