According to the National Conference State Legislature (NCSL) as of 2023, 1 in every 3 adults in America, or about 77 million people, have a criminal record. A criminal record obstructs access to higher education, employment, housing, and occupational licensure. A criminal record can consist of an arrest record, criminal charges, or a conviction which creates barriers for millions of Americans. For people who have recently been released from prison, the hurdles and barriers are even greater. More than 600,000 prisoners are released from federal and state prisons each year and reintegrate into society. Every year, an additional 11 million people go through local jails. Reentry into the criminal justice system is more likely when there is a lack of housing, work, and other support systems; this can have serious consequences for the offender, the court system, and the community.

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State legislatures play an important role in assessing the collateral repercussions of a criminal record and developing policies to help released prisoners effectively transition back into society. The main objective of Changing Hearts HC is to assist and support ex-offenders as they reintegrate into society.