You think it’s hard to find a job in this economy, try having a record.
Lately I’ve been getting desperate emails from ex-prisoners, and family members of ex-prisoners, wanting help to find a job, any job.
my name is bernard and i am an ex-con desperately searching for employment. i live in fort myers fla. i got released from prison in 2001, never been in trouble before or since. the charge was aggravated battery i served 24 months. i have already reinstated my voting rights i have a class b commercial with driving license with 0 points. also an honorable discharge from the military. is there a job site that is willing to give second chances.
I know, many of you are thinking: “who the heck cares about an ex-con? They chose to screw up and landed in jail.”
But that doesn’t mean they should be denied the opportunity for employment, especially if they want to turn their lives around. How do you do that without being able to do a hard day’s work?
That said, it’s hard as hell for job seekers with a record to get work now, and even in a good economy. Many hiring managers and even rank-and-file workers I’ve talked to say they just don’t feel comfortable having someone who has committed a crime, especially a criminal act, in their office or factory.
Realizing this big problem, states and the federal government have taken steps recently to deal with the high number of inmates that end up back in jail, often because they can’t find work. (About 700,000 people are released from prisons every year, and about two-thirds of those are expected to be back in prison within three years, according to the Department of Justice.)
The Second Chance Act was passed was passed last year, authorizing nearly $200 million, a big chunk of which is supposed to go to training ex-cons for jobs. From what I can tell, states are just now starting to tap into these funds so it’s unclear how the monies will impact ex-cons in the job hunt right now.
There are also federal and state dollars available for employers that hire ex-offenders. Philadelphia announced a program last year that would offer a $10,000 tax incentive to companies that took a chance on an ex-con. But alas, it seems no companies have taken the city up on the offer, yet, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
I know this sounds depressing but ex-cons need to realize that in many ways they’re on their own when it comes to finding work.
So let’s get proactive pronto!
First off, get a copy of Colorado’s prisoner re-entry guide. You don’t have to live in Colorado to get this. The only reason I suggest it is because it’s one of the best overviews on what to expect when you get out of the big house. It’s called “Go: Getting on After Getting Out.” (You can order it online here.)
You should also call your parole officer and the officials at your local prison and find out what’s available to ex-cons as far as job training. And Google “jobs” and “ex-cons”, “prisoners”, “inmates”, etc. in your state or town and see what comes up as far as opportunities for you.
NPR did a story on a Los Angeles program that is teaching ex-cons to install solar panels:
I also wrote a story about ex-cons and job hunting for MSNBC.com last year and it offers some advice from experts on this issue. It also includes names of some employers that have been open to hiring ex-cons.
Peter Cove, the founder of America Works, suggest parolees move quickly to land a job, any job, right out of prison so they’re not dragged into the criminal world yet again.
Experts suggest former inmates find an agency in their town that focuses on finding jobs for hard-to-place candidates and take advantage of whatever skills training they can get from the government, nonprofit groups and employment agencies with parolee experience.
America Works has locations throughout the U.S. that can be located on their Web site.
Uggen also suggests checking out the following Web sites for help: The Sentencing Project, The Legal Action Center, and The Prisoner Reentry Institute.
The key to getting a job — especially for an ex-con — is references, experts say. To that end, some former inmates may have to take a low-level job, work their tails off, and use that employer for recommendations for the next gig.
It’s going to be hard right now, no way around it. But the bottom line is, many ex-cons do overcome the odds and find great careers for themselves. The ones that give up don’t make it.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:40 am
It’s so important to get people back into the world of employment ASAP. This is an important article. Thanks, Eve!
April 21st, 2009 at 10:40 am
In addition to my day job, I teach network administration part time at an area college. One of my students was a man who had a drug conviction in his late teens. Unfortunately, even though he did secure a job right away after his release–and even though he stayed and advanced in that job for many years–his opportunities were still severely limited by his criminal record.
He served his sentence, and went through a well-respected faith-based recovery program. He finished the program with accolades and honors. He landed a low-level job with a company, and took on additional responsibilities as the opportunities arose. He came back to the classroom because, though he had management skills and experience, he could not get anyone to take him seriously. When filling out job applications, he never hid his past if asked on the form. If he garnered an interview (or second interview) and the topic had not previously been discussed (or listed on a form), he would always, in the spirit of honesty and full disclosure, inform the interviewers of his past. He had many interviews, and many second and third interviews. He carried around an accordian folder full of recommendations and information on his crime, his time, and his program. Yet, time and again, he was passed over and others got the job. He finished his degree program and continued his job hunt. Still no one would take a chance on him.
This man was (and is) brigt, articulate, witty, and more than competant for almost any role. That one conviction, more than ten years past, seemed to be the key that locked him out of every opportunity.
Thankfully, he endeavored to persevere. Now, three years after he passed through my classroom, he has finally landed a job that better matches his skills and abilities. He finally found an employer willing to look at his past and realize that’s exactly what it was–his past, not his present reality.
My heart really goes out to those who have been incarcerated. I worked with an incarcerated population once, in a program that helped teach them computer skills. The road ahead of them will always be tough. I just hope they can find reason for hope. I wish more employers would be willing to give persons like my former student a chance. I’m glad he found a better job, but I wonder how many more are languishing away every year (regardless of the economy).
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I have a lengthy criminal record. Mostly minor offenses, one felony from 15 years ago. It is very hard to get work without a support network. I tell others in my position you have a few options: family, friends, lie on applications, or be truthful and hope for the best. I always say it’s better to omit the truth and get a paycheck and deal with it later after you saved some money, than to be unemployed. In 15 years only one employer checked after the fact, and I was fired for having a record (they told me had I been honest up front they wouldn’t have hired me), but I got a steady check for months before that happened. I have had some salaried positions that never checked, and some blue collar jobs. A few of the employers are world known like Walmart and Subway.
A really good place to get a job right away is delivering pizza. Most pizza places simply don’t care and may in fact like it because they know how grateful you will be for the job. I currently own a pizza place. I would hire an ex con in a second. I know they won’t let me down because I gave them a break.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:08 am
This is such an important topic, the fact of the matter is that without employment, what choice would a former criminal have but to fall into that old way of life.
Great article!
April 30th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Well, tomorrow I have an interview with Amtrak, and I am well qualified for the job but I’m worried about my felony seventeen years ago. In WA state an employer is not allowed to ask about crimes more than ten years old (The exception is when the job involves working with children or vulnerable adults) but they do it all the time. I’ve been unemployed for eight months because of this issue. Shouldn’t we start making these employers responsible for skirting the rules and what about the people who sell background checks? They should be required to play by the rules too. According to the RCW it is not necessary for businesses to know this information. Any advise or ideas?
April 30th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Hey Terri,
Since the law in WA prohibits employers from asking you about crimes more than ten years old I would not bring it up myself.
But, if you’re asked it’s a tough call. My gut feeling is to say something like “long ago, I made a dumb mistake. I paid my dues for that and have come out a better person. It happened nearly 20 years ago. I know I’m not obligated to tell you under the law, but I want to be straight with you so you know I’m an honest, good person, and hard working. If you hire me you won’t regret it.”
If, after this, they still won’t give you a chance you have to consider yourself lucky you didn’t end up working for some jerk.
I hope this helps. Write again, or email if you have anymore questions.(telleve@gmail.com)
Good luck. Tell me how it goes if you get a chance.
December 7th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I was sentenced in 1995 to 14 years. I served 7in prison then walked off 7years on the streets. Do the rule above count for me since I was just finished parole 2 months ago?
December 7th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Hey Brian,
I’m not sure. I’ll need some more specifics about your situation. Email me at telleve@gmail.com and I’ll try to point you in the right direction.
Best,
eve
September 23rd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
CareerDiva,
I have a similar situation as Terri according to his post on April 30th, 2009 at 1:13 pm.. An employer in WA state asked on an application “have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?” Y or N. It then required details if Y.
My understanding of WAC 162-12-140 led me to believe they could not ask the question without the 7 or 10 year time frame as many other employers in WA have asked. Since I had a misdemeanor 14 years ago, I thought I was not required to answer Y because I thought the question was not allowed.
They offered the job and later rescinded it because I did not answer Y.
I looked into the Federal Trade Commissions rules on credit reporting and it appeared to me that they could not report this information either. The reporting agency informed me that they could report it based on the salary offered by the employer (>$20k/year).
I feel like I have had my privacy rights violated and the laws just don’t seem to support each other.
September 23rd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Hey Eddie, did you contact the department of labor in your state?