Help Employ Ex-Convicts: Don't They Deserve a 2nd Chance?

Ex-felons are everywhere. People with criminal backgrounds are growing fast in the United States. Some work at your local gas station and restaurant. But some are not so lucky to find employment. I wouldn't be writing this article if I didn't have a member of my family in this situation. In fact, how could I know the frustrations of an ex-convict, if I didn't see the effects personally? When I say ex-con, it sounds harsh.

It sounds bad. It sounds like a scary or dangerous person, but no, they are your neighbors and fellow parishoners. An ex-convict is simply a person who has made a mistake and broke a law in their past. It may be a violent crime or a non-violent crime. It might have happened 2 years ago or maybe even 10-20 years ago. Ex-convicts are people with felonies and they may have or may have not served time in prison, depending on the seriousness of their crime or maybe even the mood of the judge that day in court.

Unfortunately, a member of my family made a mistake 6 years ago and was convicted 5 years ago. He did something stupid and committed a non-violent crime when he was still a teen. Who doesn't do stupid things when they are young? I'll admit that I did various dumb things. Lucky for me, I was never caught doing something dumb or I might not have the great job that I love today. And how many of us do get caught? It happens every day to those who think they are invincible and to those with lack common sense at the time.

This family member of mine never served time but got a suspended sentence and was put on probation. He committed a non-violent crime. Do you think this is the end of the story for him and many like him? No, he as well as other ex-convicts are still trying to get on with their life and make a living and support themselves and sometimes their extended family but the American public won't let them. Businesses won't let them. Maybe you won't let them.

All ex-cons are not alike. They are not all low-life looking for a free hand out. They are not all lazy and looking for the easy way out. Many have skills and professions. Many are willing to learn a trade but when applying for a job, it all boils down to marking that little box on the application that asks if they have ever been convicted of a felony. Corporations are doing criminal checks more often than ever now and just knowing you have a felony usually puts your application in the trash can. Most of the time, they can't even get an interview. Sad but true. Ex-felons are not given a second chance.

I'm not saying that businesses shouldn't filter out certain felons from others but please talk with them and give them a chance. After several years of searching for an honest job and not getting one, it's sad how many turn to a life of crime seeing it as the only way of bringing money in to support themselves. Is it Socrates fault that they become career criminals?

How hard is it for a person with a felony in their past to get a job at your workplace? How many businesses in your city will consider an ex-felon? Mainly, I am speaking for those who are non-violent and they have had no other offenses in their past. Maybe you should ask yourself if ex-felons should be permitted to work again? I say, why not? If you want less crime in your city or neighborhood, help the ex-convict make an honest living. Don't let them get so depressed and desperate that they will do anything illegal to make money. Many convicts get out of prison only to apply repeatedly at jobs and getting turned down one after another. It can be months or years before they get a 2nd chance at working. Sometimes a job opportunity never presents itself.

Is it merely a lack of forgiveness and compassion on the part of the business-owner? Why can't people give a person who has changed a second chance?
Whether a person ends up serving prison time or not, I think most deserve a second chance if it was a first time offense and they have a proved record of good behavior since their conviction. So WHY is it a non-negotiable policy of many corporations and businesses to not hire anyone with a felony? What does the public expect ex-felons to do? After months or maybe years of rehection, unfortunately many turn to a life of crime. It's an act of desperation and the only alternative they can think of to make money and support themselves and their families. I ask you business-owners, "Do you want desperate ex-felons wandering the streets trying to figure out how to support themselves? Or do you want them to make an honest living? How do you expect ex-felons to change if you do not give them a chance?"

Can an ex-felon go to apply for a job in Elkhart County, where I live? Are there any businesses who do not do background checks? Are there any ministries or organizations who assist ex-felons in finding jobs? Who are the ex-felons in Elkhart? Ex-felons are people just like you and me. They are our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers. They have spouses and children, just like us. How do you expect ex-felons take care of their families? Do they have to apply for food stamps and welfare? So then, who ultimately pays for the ex-felons families? We do with our tax money! Why not let the felons have jobs and support their own families? Give them a chance! That is all they are asking! They want to have a home with their family just like you. They don't want to live in a homeless shelter or find an abandoned building.

If you want ex-felons take responsibility for themselves after they have already paid for their crime, then I encourage business owners to change their policies and hire ex-felons. If you are a business-owner, give an ex-felon a chance. What have you got to lose for opening your heart? You just may find a super employee who wants to show his appreciate by giving all he has to offer because he is desperate to have a job and keep a job. Ex-felons are educated, they are former war vets, some have training in skilled areas, and many are capable of holding down a job.

If you are you considering hiring an ex-felon, it might interest you to know that less than half of those who were convicted of crimes were violent crimes. Your business might benefit greatly if you will broaden your field of potential candidates while still interviewing for critical characteristics. There are many who have seen so much bad in their lives that they would be fiercely loyal to having a chance for a normal existence in a normal job.

Check out the following federal programs that I found on-line that are geared to assist the ex-felons by providing business owners with tax breaks and protection; COFFE - Federal Programs or Community Organization for Ex-Offender Employment

To the ex-convicts; If all else fails trying to land a job, trying to get your criminal record expunged might be the way to go. If anyone knows of an Expungement Summit in Indiana like they had in Illinois last month, please let me know. What a wonderful thing Cook County in IL does every year for their citizens who had a non-violet criminal past and to help them to have a brighter and better future. Every state ought to provide that second chance to their ex-convicts. See link below for information on getting an expungement in your state.

http://www.criminalattorney.com/pages/contact_us.htm

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/criminal.expungement.summit.2.742819.html

http://criminal.findlaw.com/crimes/expungement/expungement_state_info.html

Business owners - check out the following web links for more information on tax breaks .

http://centerforcommunitycorrections.org/?page_id=10

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080613/NEWS01/806130308