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Reader A Bummed Out Wife asks:
My husband made a terrible mistake in his past that continues to affect him now. He pled guilty to growing marijuana with the intent to distribute it for sale. He completed his sentence (4 years of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine).
He has two degrees, actively volunteers with a community agency, and has not gotten so much as a speeding ticket since his conviction. However no one will hire him once his background check comes back.
He has been completely honest about his mistake and has never sought to deceive any potential employer by hiding his felony record. But it is truly disappointing to go on several job interviews and interview well enough to be considered for a job offer, only to be told ‘no’ due to his criminal history.
We are at our wit’s since we grossly underestimated how negatively this would continue to affect his job options. What advice would you give besides to “try, try again”?
Brian answers after the jump.
All job searchers with complicated career histories would benefit from working with a professional resume service.
Brian Sayz:
Yep. This is a big problem. And I wish I could tell you there is a quick and easy solution, but there isn’t. There’s no silver bullet. In the end, your husband, more than most job seekers, is going to have to depend on the kindness in someone’s heart.
Let me give you my various thoughts on how you should proceed and hopefully one of these ideas will lead you down the right path.
Firstly, some resume writers I know say not to put any arrests or time incarcerated on a resume. But I don’t see what the point of that is. You have to fess up to a felony conviction on a job application. That’s the law.
And if you don’t fess up… only to have it come out down the road… they have a legal right to fire you for your deception.
So, I’m all about being up front about it. I’m not saying you take out a billboard or anything… you can put a little note at the very end of the resume. And make sure to make a note that you’re open to discussing all the details.
Being forthcoming and showing an eagerness to own up to the past is the best strategy you can take in this situation. It seems that your husband is already doing this.
Ex-Felon Employment Services
The best advice I can give you is to seek out ex-felon employment services or charities. These are organizations who do exactly what we’re talking about: help ex-offenders find work. Trust me, they’re out there. In a nation with millions of citizens behind bars, you are not alone in this predicament.
There’s no big national organization or government agency. But various states and even cities and communities have just such services. I think the state of California has one, but my googling proved inconclusive. I’ve heard people work with Prisoner’s Relief Society, but they too seem to absent from the web. The National H.I.R.E Network has resources you might find useful.
Bottom line, search the yellow pages in your local community. Or call the local courts or government. Or… I don’t know if this is applicable in your case… did your husband have a parole officer? Might that officer be a resource for you?
Employers do have some incentive to hire ex-offenders, btw. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available to employers as an incentive to hire felons, up to thousands of dollars a year. The Federal Bonding Program is another employer incentive. So… putting that out there.
Other thoughts…
Try temp agencies. I’ve always heard it’s much easier for ex-offenders to find temp work. And temp work can offer your husband a chance to prove he’s a solid worker. Temp work often can lead to a permanent job offer.
And I always speak on this blog about using personal connections and networking to find a job. In your husband’s case, this might be the best hope. Do you have any friends or family members who own businesses or who can help your husband find work? You’re looking for any situation where someone can find it in their heart to give your husband a second chance because they know and like him… or else can vouch for him personally.
What about your church? Do you belong to a church or religious community/congregation? I know this sounds like something out of Leave it to Beaver (or The Wire… I’m thinking specifically of Cutty from The Wire) but isn’t this sort of thing what churches are sort of for? This is just the sort of community work churches do. Or are supposed to do. Forgiveness and second chances and all. Try approaching your minister/priest/rabbi, what-have-you. He/she might be able to point you in the right direction or at least reach out to someone in the congregation who can help.
Finally, and this might seem flippant, but I’m being serious: what about self-employment. If you husband has the resources/skills, why not going into business for himself or starting a small business? If he’s the boss, he can’t reject himself.
56 responses so far ↓
1 Julie // Jul 10, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Something else that you should at least look into is expungement of the criminal record. The specifics will depend on what state you are in and the state statutes there. Expungement means that you don’t have to report the conviction to employers (unless you’re seeking a government security clearance). The type of offense you were convicted of and your record since conviction will be the most determinative factors. You’ll probably need to consult with a lawyer but often Legal Aid services can help with this fairly straightforward process. Without more specifics I can’t say that you would be eligible but it is at least worth some research.
2 gwyneth // Jul 11, 2008 at 4:29 am
This is a truly awful dilemma, but to be positive just think of the opportunity that employers are missing!
My best advice would be to apply to small firms. Try to avoid automation wherever you can. If you apply to a large firm chances are HR will reject your application before it is even considered. An SME, on the other hand, will adopt a more human approach, your application may well be considered by the proprietor who should jump at the opportunity to employ somebody so well qualified.
Above all, don’t give up hope. Be positive and keep on banging on doors
3 Scott // Jul 14, 2008 at 6:46 am
Expungement is a good idea. As to the temp agancies, it would depend on the client. SOme clients require background checks as well. I know mine does.
4 Eric // Jul 17, 2008 at 2:38 pm
There is a lot of good information to help ex-offenders get jobs at my blog:
http://helpforexoffenders.wordpress.com
5 50 // Jul 21, 2008 at 1:09 am
The people that are looking for work are the people that are trying to change their life. I been out of prison for fourteen years, when I first got out of prison I got a job working in a hospital as a maintenance tech. eleven years I work there. new management and I was let go. the last three years have been hell for me. all that about a tax brake for employer, expungement is a joke and not helpful, information about you stays in the system, expungement was giving for the crime on such and such date. big deal that will change an employers mind. Face it prison is big business, construction, lawyers, judges, law enforcement, doctors, prison guards, food service, etc. etc. with out felons a lot people would be out of work. keep the slave trade moving. today if you an ex felon their is no need to apply is what they are saying, sure you can find work next to the illegal alien. I think I am going back to sale drugs on the college campus.
6 50 // Jul 21, 2008 at 1:10 am
The people that are looking for work are the people that are trying to change their life. I been out of prison for fourteen years, when I first got out of prison I got a job working in a hospital as a maintenance tech. eleven years I work there. new management and I was let go. the last three years have been hell for me. all that about a tax brake for employer, expungement is a joke and not helpful, information about you stays in the system, expungement was giving for the crime on such and such date. big deal that will change an employers mind. Face it prison is big business, construction, lawyers, judges, law enforcement, doctors, prison guards, food service, etc. etc. with out felons a lot people would be out of work. keep the slave trade moving. today if you an ex felon their is no need to apply is what they are saying, sure you can find work next to the illegal alien. I think I am going back to sale drugs on the college campus. see ya.
7 Substantiation // Aug 5, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Dear 50,
If you think negative thoughts you only seal your fate with a self-fulfilling prophecy. You have to believe in the ability to work past all this before anything can happen. If you go back to selling drugs you know the routine. Believe in yourself and things will change fof the better.
8 Epictetus // Aug 5, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I agree with Substantiation. What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are. If you think you are capable, you’ll act that way. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. As you think, so you are.
9 June // Sep 6, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I agree with all of the above. The only thing is, some employers are broadening the scope of the period of time that horrible question covers, depending on the state. In some states, it may ask something like, “within the last 5, 7, 10 years,” others ask, “ever” and still others, “convicted, not convicted, plead, or plea deal”. It’s crazy. A relative of mine moved to a state that was more lenient (medical field), then moved after 3 years to another state that he eventually settled in. There’s really no quick answers. But it seems like you’re a good candidate for expungement.
10 15 years too long // Sep 7, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Following 15 years of incarceration, beginning when I was 17, I am finding that the acceptance of my felony to potential employers is an iffy proposition. I have 3 college degrees, working on my masters, and the moment my felony is mentioned it’s as if I just committed the crime at that very minute. With the support of my family and close friends, I know that all I have to do is get my foot in the door. Establish that work history and the doors will eventually open for me. The only person to keep me down is me.
11 JAMIE // Sep 17, 2008 at 1:39 pm
i want to go to school for medical billing and coding i have felony of worthlelss checks will i be wasting my time and money
12 Pedro // Oct 2, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Can anyone provide a list of companies that hire ex-felons in the East Bay, California?
I have about 8 months of probation left and expect to have my record expunged at that time but I need work now. I have technical/computer skills.
13 Pedro // Oct 2, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I am also willing to do regular store work like office work, stocking, ware housing, etc but I heard that places like Home Depot do not hire people like me.
Can anyone provide an actual list of companies that hire ex-felons in the East Bay (besides construction companies)?
14 adam smith // Nov 30, 2008 at 12:24 am
That is the worst advice I have heard. I have a felony for a non-violent offense from 1994. This is 14 years later and I have the same problem. His advice is the politically correct advice. Keep trying, eventually your husband will get someone to give him a chance to wash dishes for minimum wage, and if he’s lucky, 20 years later they might promote him. Really? You really want to go down that road? I have two bits of advice: first, for him, lie or choose a job that pays well that’s under the table. On all the applications I lied about my record on in 14 years, I got caught once. But I had a paycheck for 3 months. And that company said they don’t work with ex-cons, so had I been honest, I would have been hungry. The under the table job I recommend is pizza delivery—but in a safe and affluent town. Personally I have done it in both affluent areas and New Haven, CT, which is very unsafe. Do it in a nice town. I worked open to close 6 days a week and never left with less than $150 in my pocket. Do the math. That’s $900 cash a week. That’s $46,800 a year to start. My best average was $1200 a week when I hustled to make lots of runs and be as polite as humanly possible for bigger tips. The rest of you can laugh, but $1200 a week cash beats $7.60 an hour at McDonald’s any day of the week.
My other bit of advice depends on how much you love him. If you truly love him, and would do anything for him, consider letting him be the one to stay home caring for any kids, the house, etc, while you further your career. Meanwhile, save. A lot. Most people need 10% of what they want even though they may buy 90% of it. Save and keep saving and help him find a business to start. The doors are virtually wide open for most businesses. Town licenses have nothing to do with your record. I own a pizza place, and while I’m struggling, I own it. In my name. I’d suggest shopping ideas with him. Maybe a liquor store with you as the holder of the license? Or whatever his dreams are, find a way to make them work. The last option is to leave the United States for a more compassionate country that will accept you. If either of you are Jewish, Israel offers the right of return to all Jews. It’s an option. Good luck.
15 Eric // Dec 7, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Hello everyone unfortunately my other blog was shut down. You can find my new blog “Help for ex-offenders and felons ooking for jobs” here:
http://www.jailtojob.com/wordpress
16 Nicole // Dec 26, 2008 at 1:53 am
Does anyone know of NJ ex-offender resources for job possibilities? Thanks…This is a very important and much needed website!
17 Jacqueline Caron Founder/CEO // Dec 27, 2008 at 11:17 pm
HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH?
For any man or woman convicted of a crime, successfully completing their sentence, along with any assigned parole or probation, is just the beginning. After their release from confinement, they are faced with re-integrating themselves back into their community – often in the same area and with the same influences that provided them opportunity to break the law in the first place.
Their search for employment is often stonewalled by the fact that they now have a conviction on their record. Employers performing a routine search find the negative information, and unless they are part of a progressive federal or state program, or willing to give the applicant a second chance, the applicant is put at the bottom of the list of candidates – if they remain on the list at all.
The goal of improving their own economic status and fighting the impulse to return to their former ways is complicated further by the fact that even advanced education – like a master’s degree – is often not enough to convince a potential employer to give them another chance.
Apartment leases, home mortgages, opening a bank account or a credit card, and many other processes that non-offenders take for granted are often closed to these individuals. This situation continues for as long as the conviction stays on their record, and with the advent of computers, the information is even easier to find.
How long is long enough for a person convicted of a crime, who has successfully completed their parole and / or probation, to continue to pay for that crime? The Connecticut Pardon Team was founded in 2004 to provide tools and information for individuals convicted of a crime who are interested in clearing their record through the non-inmate pardon within our state through our Pardon Assistance Program.
18 Misty1NC // Jan 5, 2009 at 12:52 pm
There is some very good advice here. Convicted for marijuana 9 years ago, I had my own business, now defunct and worked at a Country Club for 7 years. Have two degrees and thought I could find a job. Ha ha. Doors slam especially in the south, I think. Things have to change, there are too many of us. But, I recently got my right to vote back and pot will surely be legal soon. Thanks for the website.
19 stucklikechuck // Jan 26, 2009 at 12:53 am
bottom line where im from if u r a convicted felon your out of gas. did 15 yrs in prison been out 20 months and have been turned down atleast 50 times and still counting. the pain and paying for our past mistakes never ends.
20 Petitin Congress for drug felons // Jan 26, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Push for legalizing drugs with the comment below. Stop felon charges for non-violent drug users. Put the money back into our economy. Columbian drug lords claim, the U.S. is their largest consumer of drugs, “if the U.S. citizens didn’t want it, we wouldn’t grow it.”
We need to de-criminalize non violent drug users and stop building more, for profit, prisons. History has been
repeated from the alcohol prohabition years. When alcohol prohabition law ended, everyone didn’t become alcoholics.
Why aren’t we opening our eyes to history. There will always be blood shed from illegal sales and profit of illegal
drugs. Alcoholics don’t serve a year in a 6′x 8′ prison cell for consuming too much alcohol. The drug addict doesn’t
want the addiction. They want help. The U.S. government should grow it, legalize it, and monitor it. Administer it
through a medical clinics with pshycologist and medical physicians. Ex. If a patient needs 2 marajuana cigarettes
a day, charge them $14. for the week. If they want an ounce a week, charge them $300 for a bag. This would take it
off the black market. We would save billions of dollars a year, not monitoring borders and the seas for drug importation.
There would be no more profits from foreign and domestic drug lords. Follow the procedure from the alcohol repeal procedure.
Drug addiction should be a family problem treated through medical help. 1 in 135 people are incarcerated for illegal
drugs, classified as felons which reduces any chance of gaining employment. Result, welfare paid out to their families
or dealing drugs to support their families at tax payers expense. The bloody mafia is still alive but not from the sales
of alcohol, it’s profit is selling drugs. Is our new administration brave enough to step up to the plate, make history
again, and change this law. This would domino the deficit and bloodshed from every direction.
When he first visited the United States in 1921, Albert Einstein wrote of America’s ban on booze: “The prestige of
government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the prohibition law … For nothing is more destructive of
respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced.”
21 Curtis // Feb 6, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I work for a company that does help ex-offenders to find employment. The first piece of advice I could offer you is that your husband just can not interview well, he must intervew extra ordinary. Instead of cliche interview answers he has to appeal to the interviewer sense of business, meaning regardless of his background he must prove why he is the best qualified canditate for the position he is applying for, with enthusiasm and motivation. But he must lower his expectations he will probably have to start in a way lower level then he is comfortable with regardless of his degrees and prove himself all over again. Tell him on the interviews to let the companies know how dedicated he would be because of the second chance the company is giving him. We have had success with this approach. Just keep pumping out those resumes and although it is a cliche dont give up. Best of luck to you
22 Deana // Feb 15, 2009 at 10:05 pm
My felony was 9 yrs. ago–plus, 4 yrs. into it I was stupid enough to get my 1st DUI…Never did any jail time, but I thought I’d never get a job or live it down.
I have to say that my faith kept me going. I made my way–pulled on the skills I used before my offense and just kept going because the rent had to be paid and I had to eat. But until I forgave myself, my shame and low self-esteem poured out during interviews like perfume.
I remember praying one night asking God what to do for my spirit because like the original writer of this post, I got tired of receiving rejection by mail and in-person for telling the truth upfront. God told me that “wherever I interview, tell the truth…the employer that hires me is where I need to be.” After that, rejections just became part of the process.
The irony is that now I am an employment consultant and training specialist for folks who are in the same boat or worse.
When it comes to getting work I tell them to know themselves and let it show. Send a resume before an application–that’s not dishonesty, it’s common sense if you want a chance. Don’t get so anxious about answering the “big question” that you don’t listen to what is being asked of you. Ask the interviewer how many “tiers” of interviews will be conducted, then you can decide when to disclose your background–I usually tell people to wait until they are a finalist.
I have found that for me God has turned my past mess into many a message for others. There are probably people and organizations that would benefit from yours and your husband’s experience. Blessings
23 LAWRENCE WASHINGTON // Mar 3, 2009 at 10:54 pm
my name is lawrence washington.I,ve been in trouble with the law; but i,am trying to get my life back together but it,s hard because peoples dont! give you a chance when they know that you have an recocrd. what resources is available in florida to help exfelons to get their life back with a good job .I can be reach at 813-312-8830
24 LAWRENCE WASHINGTON // Mar 3, 2009 at 10:55 pm
my name is lawrence washington.I,ve been in trouble with the law; but i,am trying to get my life back together but it,s hard because peoples dont! give you a chance when they know that you have an recocrd. what resources is available in florida to help exfelons to get their life back with a good job .I can be reach at 813-312-8830 In polk county
25 Debbie // Mar 4, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I was convicted of a DuI 1998 and had another one back around 1989 and the first one was when I was 18–1976 Because the last two where within a 10 year period they slapped me with a Felony DUI (pulling up the DUI that was 22 years old ) There was no physical injury or property damage. No time in jail!!! Just over the points…..now I am being treated like I am a big time bad guy….These all took place in New York . I now live in North Carolina and can’t even get a dish washing job….any one have any advise…I tried playing it straight and telling the truth But in this”Great Big USA are they leaving me no choose but to lie???? I liked the one comment ..that at least I got a few pay checks !!!
26 SCHOOLOFHARDKNOX // Mar 5, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON 6 YEARS AGO, HAVE COLLEGE CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION FROM VARIOUS COLLEGES IN THE AREA AND I TOO HAD A HECK OF A TIME FINDING WORK, BUT THERE ARE COMPANIES OUT THERE. I FOUND A JOB WORKING IN A SHIPPING/RECEIVING DEPARTMENT FOR A LOCAL MANUFACTURER HERE IN KENT, WASHINGTON AND RAN THEIR SHIPPING DEPARTMENT. I WORKED THERE FROM 2004-2007 BEFORE THEY WERE BOUGHT OUT BY A COMPETITOR AND LET ALL 85 OF US GO.. NOW I WORK FOR ALASKAN COPPER AND BRASS IN SEATTLE, AND THEY ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. I HAVE BEEN THERE NOW FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, AND THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT MY BACKGROUND OR MY PAST. AND I HAVE BEEN PROMOTED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE MY FIRST DAY THERE. ITS A UNION JOB (TEAMSTERS LOCAL 117) AND AT LEAST I AM EMPLOYED.WITH THE ECONOMY HTE WAY IT IS AND EVERYONE GETTING LAID OFF, ITS GOOD TO KNOW THAT I AM IN A COMPANY THAT EVEN IN THE HARD TIMES THEY WONT TERMINATE MY EMPLOYMENT.
27 Enrico // Mar 10, 2009 at 4:48 pm
The reason your lousy husband can’t get a job is because WE ALL know he is just lying so he can use the opportunity to commit another crime. ANYONE who commits a crime in my book deserves NO second chances and I thank god each day they will NEVER make it in society.
28 3D // Mar 12, 2009 at 10:17 am
Never in our history has the United States had over 2 million citizens incarerated. At a cost of approximently 59.00 per day to house and provide for each inmate the cost to taxpayers is substanial. Two things that could have an impact on society and our economy is to release non-violent offenders and create rehab to assist in transition back into the working class. Once they graduate, expundge their records. Another item that needs to be addressed is some employers now do credit checks and if you credit is bad, that is held against you as well. We as a nation are to quick to condemn and in our humanistic society no longer give a damn. A Felony, once served should never be a life sentence and individuals should be restored. Best of luck to you all and God Bless the USA, she needs help.
29 chris // Mar 14, 2009 at 10:59 pm
my husband got charged as an adult for a non violant non drug crime when he was 17…we have been married since he was 19 and he is 30 now..we have one child and he is 9…we do not own a home mainly due to the fact that he cant get a job that is good money or decent and that is permanent…so we pay 900 dollars a month in rent for a house that is 900 sq and not even ours…when our leases are up usually we have to move because 1. we cant afford it anymore bcause the landlord went up or 2. he got laid of his job and my job cant pay all the bills..its just so crazy how you can be a teenager and do a rebellious teenager act take the blame for all the guys and be punished for the rest of your life..and not only that but your kid gets punished the worst!….i recently tried to get us in a 1 bedroom apt. at least it would be cheaper and we would have a roof over our head…..but no he is a felon from over 10 years ago! i can understand them not accepting child molesters sex offenders and murders…but non violant? thats crazy..this has ruined our kids life…the non stability is hard on our kid..he cant keep friends because we are always moving in and out of school districts…its whatever though we arent foreign so the government wont help us or make programs that will actually work for us it will just be a repeat cycle through our kids..
30 Tryin' // Mar 16, 2009 at 11:26 pm
TO ENRICO:
Your lack of compassion and understading is appalling. I certainly hope you are perfect. I hope you can find a whole group of people that also live in perfectly intact glass houses.
31 HEITK // Mar 26, 2009 at 7:18 am
I received a felony conviction in 1992 for theft by deception. A temp agency kept sending pay checks and I (being stupid) continued to cash them. I received 2 years probation and never looked back.
It’s been 17 years since then and I have never been involved in the criminal justice system again. I was able to excl at my career and I never had a problem getting employed. I was laid off from a fortune 500 company in 2006 and have not had a permanent job since.
In 2003 the FCRA was changed with regards to obsolete information. Previously reporting agencies could not report any negative information that outdated the report by 7 years, but now they changed it from 7 years to lifetime with regards to convictions. (This is why there is a lot of confusion regarding the 7 year limitations on job applications).
Background checks are now big business. 90% of big companies now run background checks, even (Walmart).
There is no way to hide your convictions. Companies gather national (all states) crime databases of all convictions (not just yours) and if your name comes up they already have this information.
This has resulted in life time bans on employment for anyone convicted of a crime. Can you get a job, of course, but it will be of the lowest paying and the most physically demanding. I’m almost 50 and can’t do manual labor.
Most temp agencies now run background checks. I did get two assignments through temp agency, but I did too good of a job. The company wanted to hire me, I applied; they ran the background check and found the conviction and then told the temp agency, then the temp agency ran one and found the conviction and then told me that they can no longer work with me.
I will soon be homeless with no hope.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
32 Amie // Mar 26, 2009 at 10:20 am
To all the folks with job seeking disappointments, I hear you. My felony in 1992 has kept me from many good jobs. I was never fingerprinted so there is nothing to show up on a backgroungdcheck. My deliemna is I am an RN and the felony caused the nursing board to suspend me for 5 years. When potential employers validate my license, the response is “current with previous action”. The red flags go up and I don’t get the first interview. I do have a valid license in my state but cannot get licensed in other states. So I am stuck. Any advise from others in my predicament.
33 justin // Mar 26, 2009 at 4:32 pm
are criminal background checks international?
e.g. does my US felony show up in australia, asia, or europe? bcuz im thinking of starting over in another country
34 Harley Man // Mar 28, 2009 at 1:09 am
I have been an Ex offender for 14 years and I know how to do many things. I have read the comments by everyone and entering back into the job market is almost impossible. I went back to school and go a college degree only to find out that no one would hire me in that field. What is wrong with the American People. I think it’s about time there was some legislation made to protect the ex offender from discrimination.
35 Harley Man // Mar 28, 2009 at 2:00 am
I have had several jobs sense I got out but they were not what I wanted. I lied on some job apps and got away with it. I was employed in the trucking business for awhile but the economy got bad and they laid me off. Prior to getting this job I had two others wich lasted about a month each. I told the employers about my background and someone in the office latter on decided they didn’t like what I done and they fired me. So I would say lie if you can get away with it . The economy is so bad right now even the most privlaged person is having a hard time finding work. I realy do belive there should be some new legislation to prevent employers from playing god with peoples lives. Not everyone who goes to prison wants to go back. I’m sure if you looked at the percentages you would find that only a few because of the news Media make it difficult for the rest of us. You can’t rent a place to live, you can’t get a job, I don’t want to hear about christianity because we Americans are far to judgemental to ever be a christian. The people in positions of power in this country can steal Billions of our tax dollars and not even be put in jail. But we the ex cons dont even deserve to be able to provide for ourselves or our family. We are suppose to be humble and wait for the master to throw us a bone. I say if you can find a job by lieing about and get away with it do it. I know many people who have never been behind the prison walls who deserve to be there and our society allows them to be free because they are wealthy enough to get out of it. Most of the people that I have known don’t want a hand out they want a job so theycan be proud of themselves and able to make enough money so society recognises them as a human being again.
I thinkthat have you EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF, is a discrimantory question. How can someone who has been in trouble ever repair there lives if all we are offered by society is scraps and told we are not worthy enough to be working even for a garbage company. I seen that question on an application for a garbage company on the internet. I wrote them a little not on there application, I said for gods sakes your a garbage company. Your not the US Mint. I think the easiest way to get back in the employment field is self employment. I know I’m going in that direction. There are several loans an ex con can get to start a business because he is considered to be a manority. I think if a person gets out of prison does his parole and stays out of trouble no employer should be able to view your past. You done your time why should you pay for it for the rest of your life. All that queation does is create a revolving door. In order to be sucessfull while your starving to death and have no place to live because no one will hire you is roll with the punches. Otherwise you might as well give up because our american society thinks that you should be punishes for the rest of your life for making a mistake. I say if the crime doesn’t fit the job the employer doesn’t need to know. Its just a yes or know answere. I think the only people who should have any access to your background is the Law enforcement offices.
36 Middle Man // Apr 1, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Harley,
You said it Bro! It is crapp… all of it. I have read all of the comments here and the guy who has the sex offenders rap sheet? Well. I too have a sex offenders rap sheet. Did 3 years and the last 2 years I was in INTENCE sex offenders recovery program through the state hospital! Plus counseling afterwards for 3 more years! after that , I managed to land a good job for 10 years and recently got discharged for unknown reasons, no crime was committed. I showed up for work every day and did my job the best I could. Now I am out of work i have a lot of experience and Know how,.. related to machines etc. I am n So just LIE LIE LIE about your past, that’s how I got the 10 year job.
37 Bebe // Apr 2, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Wisconsin has laws against discrimination of people with criminal records - the states view is people convicted of crimes have served the time and society should give them a chance. So it may be an good option to look for work in this state.
38 §Uffering // Apr 2, 2009 at 6:37 pm
We’ll it seems as if we all have alot of Q&A’s. With my experiance being a two time felon. It’s difficult to find employment, no food stamps, apartments won’t rent to you/housing. I’ll never be upset about paying taxes because people I care about see that money. There needs to be more education and less manuplation. The system is fouled, but it’s like any bussiness it has to make it’s money. Being incarcerted for 6months and let go because I was costing them money, when all I asked for was a jury trial. Later on charges where dropped because, “I had served my time.” Now the charges are on my background but I never was guilty. So you get arrested, you get a phone call to get a bail bondsman hopefully which then you need a co-signer to get 15% of money you won’t see again. GOOD LUCK TO THE INCARCERTED, MAY GOD BLESS YOU! Anywho, I got my passport waiten on a Work Visa. My license won’t be valid till 2010 but hell to05 is long gone. Funny that I’ve been CPR certified since I was 16. I’ve thought about joining as a Volunteer Firefighter or Rescue Squad just so that I can show that I wasn’t that bad of a guy.
My advice: get references, vocational rehab, churches,thrift stores, build a work history, Family,Network,Self-employed, be positive!
39 richardo // Apr 3, 2009 at 4:36 pm
i am an ex-felon,my crime was commited back in 1996. my crime was that of a sexual nature with a minor male 14 yr.old. i have 5 months left on parole and i have been unemployed because of this offense i am having a hard time finding a stable job or even a part time job. what can i do? i dont want to go back to prison for not being able to find a job and now what is worse is that i am having trouble finding a place to live in the dallas/garland area. please i need help A.S.A.P.
40 3D // Apr 11, 2009 at 9:50 am
I’m a two time felon in my mid fifties and permanently disabled but will obtain my BS in Criminal Justice this year…I hope. Even if I wanted to go to work I doubt any job within my field of study would hire me. Our society is quick to condemn but slow to forgive. What if felons could create a entity that was owned and operated by ex-felons? Maybe it’s time we take care of each other and prove we can make a difference. Any suggestions are welcomed.
41 Cathyie // Apr 17, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Great Blog! check our ours on cathyie1.felonsinsearchofhope@blogger.com
42 Marcus // Apr 17, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I am considering starting a Small Business Incubator for ex-felons. It would be a non profit organization focusing on training ex-felons on how to be self sufficient at running their own business. I have access to 5 acres of land in a rural native american reservation in Arizona.
I would like comments or suggestions on how to proceed. You can e-mail me at marcway69houtx@hotmail.com
43 In love with an ex-felon // Apr 21, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I am in love with an ex-felon. He grew up in the ghettos during the 80s. He was punished for an unregistered gun, that he found in his brother’s room, when he solely trying to prevent himself from being shot. I would have done the same thing. I don’t know what to do, he has so much talent in sales and gets many job offers and then they retract them later. He settled for a job he distasted and was let go a few months later. I love him to death but there is a huge human services gap in the aid of assisting ex-felons. This seems like such a waste. Not only do ex-felons want to work, they want to contribute to the community in mulitple ways. I do want to know more about the business loans for ex-felons. We live in NYC are there any programs for him? or banks/government agencies to help him start a business? I know he would be great. He just needs that opportunity to prove himself again.
44 peachy // Apr 28, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I WAS SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS PROBATION IN FLORIDA FOR SCHEMING TO DEFRAUD. I COMPLETED 9 MTHS OF THE SENTENCED AND RECEIVE EARLY TERMINATION OF PROBATION. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT IF ADJUDICATION WAS WITH HELD, WHICH IT WAS IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A FELONY CONVICTION. HOWEVER, WHEN EMPLOYERS RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK THEY IMMEDIATELY FIRE ME. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP. AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE I WAS ONLY 17 WITH NO CHILDREN. WHEN THE LAW FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH ME I WAS AN ADULT WITH TWO KIDS. IT WAS MY FIRST AND LAST OFFENSE . WHAT CAN BE DONE?
45 Dawn // Apr 29, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I found this site very helpful. I was just released from prison for an 18 month sentence for DUI and VOP. I had a previous DUI 3 months earlier. My husband of 19 years died suddenly and I drank. I had never been in trouble with the law before. I was a Youth Group Leader at my church and respected member of my community. Now I am looked down upon and am having a hard time finding work. I start college soon, but after reading the blogs, I’m not sure that will even help. I like the idea of starting a not-for-profit center for ex-felons and will look into that. Thanks for the idea.
46 EFFtheMan // May 11, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I was in a fight when I was 18 years old. A woman verbally attacked me because she didn’t like the clothes I was wearing- things escalated, she hit me in the head with a billiards ball, I hit her in the head with a shoe. Felony conviction: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. A SHOE. I had an awful lawyer who advised me to plead guilty, which I will regret for my whole life. All I had was a year of unsupervised probation- the judge knew I was no more of a threat than anyone else, I was defending myself but because of the way it played out, I’m the one with a record.
Now I’m 26, have a child with special needs and my husband has lost his job due to the economy. I am an upfront and honest person- but everyone I know who has dealt with this has the same piece of advice: LIE. That way you can at least get in the door. I haven’t lied yet, but I think I’m going to from now on. I’d love to see what everyone’s record would be if they were caught for every single law they had actually broken; how many of those employers chucking our resumes in the trash should rightfully have DUIs, domestic violence, possession of illegal substance, theft, fraud, even child molestation or rape! People are so smug when in fact, they’re as much or more criminal as the same people with a couple of indiscretions, the only difference is we were just unlucky enough to get CAUGHT.
Blackball the repeat sex offenders, homicide and those with rap sheets 10 miles long- fine, understandable (though someone needs to dig ditches!). The rest of us are just human and it’s not that we deserve “a second chance”- we deserve to be treated as equals, no one except a judge and God are allowed to dole out more consequences for our actions than are legally required. Glass houses is damn right!
47 tony // May 14, 2009 at 10:46 am
hi my name is tony and i’m a sexoffender for the last 16yrs i’ve been able to keep al my ducks in a row i had a good paying job i manange to raise a family i had been off of probation for 10yrs i kept my nose clean but then in 2008 i was hit with a new law violatoin and lost it all! and now that i’m back on probation i;m finding it hard to find work i know this small depression were going threw is making it hard. but being a sexoffender is making it harder .there are’nt any job placement programs out there for people with my label. and i’m not a c/m or rapist! so if there are job placement programs for people like me i aint finding’em so if there are some out please direct me to them thanks!
48 felon // May 19, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I was convicted ten years ago of a felony possession of marijuana. It was just enough for the conviction to be a felony. A year before I had completed college with two bachelors and a masters from a large state university. I haven’t worked since. Every job I have applied for I have been turned down immediately after I tell them my criminal history. I now don’t even get return phone calls asking for interviews since I have no job history in the last decade. My best advice is to make connections while you are incarcerated or with other felons in the area. It not possible to get a legal job as a felon so get a illegal one, you’re treated as a criminal so you might as well be one.
49 Mario // May 21, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I was convicted in 2002, i di 1 year for Poss of contr substance (felony b). I got out finished parole. I then moved to florida and started a small business. The business went well the first couple of years. Now this Recession has caused me 50% of my customers, cash flow is down and i will be filing bankruptcy soon. I went to a school to get into healthcare field and they would not let me enroll because i could not get state licence after completion. I dont know what to do. I’ve got to support my family and instead i will be homeless soon. What do i do?
50 David // May 26, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Everyone always says “Start your own business”. . .with what? What can I/we sell, do, start up exactly. Cutting grass? Shoveling Drive Ways? I don’t have the money to get a lawn mower, and people won’t pay enough to make that a viable career for an individual like myself. What business exactly am I supposed to start up, I’m asking honestly. I’m in Newport News, I personally am all for creating our own area, buying a bunch of land and creating a city of ex-felons who have more compassion and understanding then the rest of this country. Though if anyone wants a young able-body for work in Virginia, Maryland or DC let me know, I’m sick of begging my mom in St. Louis for help for rent because I’m not good enough for the corporate world.
51 Mom of a Felon whose tryin // May 30, 2009 at 8:40 pm
To Enrico……What an a-hole!!!!!All I can say to your absurd comment is the old saying, What goes around comes around, and buddy I wish I was around to see you get yours.
52 misty // Jun 15, 2009 at 10:26 pm
look i don’t no when this site was updated let’s see what information can be give .i have a brother non voilent crimminal ,who served 18 years in prison ,he was just released this past winter ,he can’t find no job they won’t let him get apartment and he was walking with his head up now its down .he has a associate degree in general studies and gose to a state college willing to work ,i think it is a shame that there are no jobs for him and he has to be out of jail 5 years to get a decent job .it seems the system wants to make it hard for him and others ‘the judge said that if he had done the same crime today he would only have served 4 years .i need help with finding a life for prisoner who want to improve ther life any help
53 misty // Jun 15, 2009 at 10:35 pm
me again where is amos brown and jessie jackson and the one who always showing up when something happens in the black community .where are they at how do these men find a stable life i am sorry but my brother is a non violent crimmal so what the judge said he served where is that system that stands up ,who do we talk to ,whats the numbers ???????????????????????????
54 ga boy // Jun 16, 2009 at 12:32 pm
enrico you are a first class idiot. you shouldnt even be on this site asshole. the only difference between you and the rest of us is you havent got caught. dumbass.
55 adam smith // Jun 18, 2009 at 12:19 pm
An ex felon does face challenges, but you shouldn’t give up. A lot of employers don’t even ask, or they ask if you’ve had a felony conviction in the last year, three years, or five years. You can lie on an application, that is one option, since a lot more big employers assume you’re being honest and don’t check, or you can take your chances. I have one felony from 1994 for stealing a computer. Someone left a laptop unattended and I took it. But that was 15 years ago. I did an experiment and sent out 500 resumes. I was honest on all 500. Not a single employer called me back. Then I sent out 100 where I didn’t mention it. At least 20 of those called me. I found a job at Subway World Headquarters here in CT doing technical support for POS systems worldwide. I later left the job, but not because of that.
There are always cash jobs, which pay surprisingly well. I delivered pizza for years when I wasn’t at one professional job or another. My worst week delivering was $500. My best weeks were around $1200. My average weekly was $800, but it is long hours and hard on your car. Still, $800 a week is pretty good for a 5 day job. Don’t give up. Currently, I own my own pizza place. I’ve been here for 17 months now
56 Fed Up // Jun 19, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I live in Florida, one of the worse states to live in if you make a mistake and get into the system. Anyone who has been through the system knows it doesn’t matter if you are guilty or innocent, follow the rules or not, and it is insanely an unfair system. Mostly due to politics and money, once you are in the system it is to the state’s advantage to keep you in. The state makes money on people in state and county jails, and as long as that is the case , things won’t change. The fact that the economy is in the toilet, combined with the fact that your background can be checked free and in seconds, it’s no surprise anyone with a criminal background is out of luck. I too have a 14 year old drug related conviction that haunts me to no end. It’s mind boggling how many good people are turned away from a job and a less qualified person is taking the job. Things change, and so do people. The bottom line is that you should be hired for being the person you are now, not the person you were 15 years ago. I say that there should be a federal law that states if a person stays out of the court system for 10 years the an employer does not need to know anything more about that persons past. Of course there would be a few exceptions depending on the job, but enough is enough. Now a days a bad credit report can lose you a job. When will it end??
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