As a resident of Greensboro, I am outraged at how difficult it is for past felony offenders to gain employment. We are what I call "Generation F," individuals who have paid their debt to society but still can't find gainful, permanent employment.
Many of us are nonviolent offenders who have taken great strides to turn our lives around, only to be slapped in the face with criminal background check history that may be more than 10 years old, time and time again. I find it extremely hard to find out where punishment stops and redemption begins.
All we want is to be able to support our families and be productive, taxpaying citizens like everyone else. Instead we are reduced to being slave workers for temporary services. Who gets rich on the backs of the working poor?
It's a known fact that unemployment and poverty breed crime. We can reduce the welfare rolls and the prison population if we would give ex-felons equal consideration and compensation based on qualification.
We all make mistakes, but does it have to be a life sentence?
He who is without sin shall cast the first stone.
Steven Walker
Greensboro
Comments (5)
Many of us are nonviolent offenders...
We can reduce the welfare rolls and the prison population if we would give ex-felons equal consideration and compensation based on qualification.
We could also reduce the prison population and poverty by ending the War on Drugs. How many people are in prison on non-violent drug charges? How many billions of dollars are stolen from us and wasted convicting and imprisoning these "criminals?" How much is poverty exacerbated by putting these "offenders" in prison, rendering them unable to provide for their families, which, as the writer says, leads to more crime?
Posted by Paul Elledge | September 17, 2005 5:02 AM
If you are a non-violent offender, just check NO on the box on the application.
Hell, if they investigate, and they are reasonable people, you should be able to explain and keep a job.
If not, then you dont wanna work there anyway.
(I'm guessing it was a marijuana conviction?)
Posted by Lilly | September 17, 2005 12:13 PM
As a Professional that works with those seeking to rebuild their lives, I have found two things to make the difference when a felon applies for a job:
1) Honesty
2) Honesty
If ever there were an indication of a changed life, honesty would be it.
Posted by Jim | September 18, 2005 6:08 AM
Well Jim I guess there is an exception to EVERY rule and YOU must be one.
I'm puzzled however, at how the Felon's application gets past the person screening them to your desk for you to even make a decision about "honesty".
Posted by Lilly | September 18, 2005 12:03 PM
My name is Charles. I was convicted and served time for a felony. While in prison I went to college, was released went onto a Univerisity, was one of 42 students nationwide to win a particular merit award, and the list goes on. I interned for 2 CPA firms. I went back into the prison system to give presentations to current inmates about how to fill out applications, what professions to avoid, and the importance of higher education. The people who tell felons to answer "yes" on the application without and in depth discussion about, what to write on the line underneath for an explanation, or should the person ask to see the manager, or answer " will discuss in person, in really attempting to make this a simple issue, when it IS NOT. For instance, if I fill out and application at the local grocery store, in my small town, and check yes, who gets to see that? Perhaps the clerk that took my application or the bag boy who knocked over the applications of the managers desk. The advice I give is don't release your conviction information to just anyone. Remember, you may fill out more than a hundred app' and how many times do you think they may be multiplied by word of mouth. Moreover, when you do, politely but directly make the interviewer aware that everything on your app is personal and private and ask what level managers, staff, etc. are privy to this type of application. Just because the manager or owner gives you a break, doesn't mean that other co-workers would trust you, or think of you very highly if they found out about your conviction. No one can work for long under that type of emotional fear or strain. Great water cooler chit chat. So, no answering the question yes, is defintely NOT always the way to go. Other possibilities are NEVER fill out the application until asked to. How? Bring a resume to even the lowest level jobs, and request the application, if required be filled out in person during the interview. This way you have the person in front of you and can explain directly your conviction, if you so choose. The reason, in the end, you have to be honest, is because you could lose your job at any time, if someone found out. However, I believe that it is NOT a fair question to ask, so if I choose not to answer or to check NO, then I feel comfortable doing it. Let NOT ONE person who hasn't experienced the shame, guilt, and fear of having served your debt pass judgement on this fudged application. How honest is anyone with their resume'? Should letting the bank for which you are applying for a position, be made privy to your pending Chapter 7, or divorce. After all, your financial situation may place pressure on you to steal money or be dishonest in some other way. Honesty, is not just telling the truth, is not witholding the facts and the truth. So, is this a moral issue?
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December 23, 2005 2:16 AM