Ex-Cons Are People Too
by A story of Ex-Cons and the prejudice they endure from Society.
First let’s start off with saying that I don’t think that an ex-felon should not pay society for their crime. They should be held accountable for their crime. And there should be an ample amount of protection imposed on them for the protection of society. How ever I do not agree with the way that society and Government has took advantage of the laws intended to protect society from criminals. The Government has used laws such as back ground checks to disqualifies ex-cons from gaining employment. This is wrong and should be amended by our Government. It should only apply to related conditions. Such as the following. Let’s say Joe Ex-Con wants to be a bank teller and he was a bank robber before. This would be a perfect use of disqualifying him as a candidate for the position. Now let’s say that Joe Ex-Con applies to a construction company for a job as a roofer. This would be an injustice to disqualify him for the job on the grounds that he was an ex-bank robber. This allows discrimination to be used. It is totally wrong. And it is a perversion of the laws noble attempt to protect society. Further more it actually creates crime. It creates crime by causing the Ex- Felon to be at a life threatening disadvantage. Have you ever tried to buy something to eat without money? This is exactly what will result from the ex-con not being able to gain employment.
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He in short is forced to supply his self with food, shelter and every day needs. His only solutions are the following. He can seek county help. This amounts to possible $100.00 dollars a month after a waiting period that can exceed 45 days. There are the missions that an ex-felon can stay at. This is not so true. An ex-felon with a family would not be allowed to do this. Most coming out of the justice system are returning to their families. They are expected to provide and shelter their families. But these laws allow the employer to be prejudice against a truly remorseful ex-felon. The final result from this is that the criminal see’s very few options as a way to support their self and family. They generally speaking resort to crime again to supply their needs. Its comical we as Americans want to put crime at a low. And we complain that Criminals are returning as repeat offenders more and more. We further make the claim that more Prisons and man power is needed to contain the criminal element. This drives up taxes and causes America to have a major crime expense deficit. The solution is to provide education and training to the incarcerated person. It needs to be actual jobs and education that would result in an incarcerated person making a fair living when returned to society. It can not be stuff such as how to be a ditch digger 101 class. This I have personally seen in the prison systems of America.
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Post Commentpayge
On May 3, 2009 at 10:07 am
I have to agree the above comments.They dont always get a fair shake after they pay there debt for their crimes.You make alot of valid points that should be listened to a bit closer.
Karen Gross
On May 3, 2009 at 12:40 pm
This is a harsh reality, and I am so sorry for those who, like you, are truly repentant but can’t get back into society. Education and training are a good start, but ladybaby has a good point that ex-cons with degrees might still not be able to find a job. Add on top of that the lack of social skills or perhaps mental illness that landed them in jail in the first place.
There don’t seem to be many good answers, are there? This probably sounds trite, but I pray that God will grant you a new start. I get the idea from your writings that the two of you have already met. He is the only one who can grant an eternal pardon to the hardest of criminals who wants forgiveness and new life.
clay hurtubise
On May 3, 2009 at 4:00 pm
It really is the American UN-justice system. $ has to strong a say on how people get representation, length of stay, etc… I don’t see much ‘re-habilitation’ going on in our jails, or else the same folks wouldn’t keep ending back in jail. The statistics on Th eUS and the % of incarcerated people is staggering. A change of the whole system is needed.
Thanks,
Clay
Caroline1957
On May 3, 2009 at 9:36 pm
A very good article.
John
On May 4, 2009 at 2:05 am
Jeff,
I believe, that if an Ex-Con wants to work, more needs to be done to ensure he can. However,as I stated previously in another comment on another article, if a person is law abiding to begin with they would not have a problem.
I acknowledge people can and do change, and while I feel for the person that gets the shaft from society even though he’s truly repentant and trying to turn his life around, more often than not there are felons that are not only 1 time repeat offenders,but multi-time offenders,they and not just society are the reason why other ex-cons are shafted and stereotyped.
It’s a bad case of one bad seed spoils the bunch, once a person is associated in any way with the criminal element of society, the stigma sticks. Sad,but nonetheless true,
Lifer
On May 4, 2009 at 9:13 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 1998, 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 maybe , 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.
Jamie Myles
On May 7, 2009 at 7:25 pm
This article shines a light on a dirty secret here in America.
The government wants to keep producing criminals because it creates a huge industry employing many “civil servants”. It also is an excuse to keep raising taxes and gives politicians the fodder they need for all their useless programs. If you can keep people from bettering themselves it benefits so many pockets.
Did you Know when you go to prison or jail in Washington state, You are billed for your stay. This is in spite of the fact that the tax payers have already paid for this. Of course you can’t get a decent job when you get out and if you owe child support whatever job you might get will be working for darn near free after all the garnishments of your wages. You know child support doesn’t stop while your locked up, it just becomes a larger debt that they want paid as soon as your released from custody. This along with your incarceration bill will keep you from ever being able to climb out of the hole. I agree that with the current system designed to create repeat offenders, that you are punished for life for whatever offense you may have committed.
Ruby Hawk
On May 12, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I agree, everyone coming out of prison should be trained for a job. Why not train prisoners for a good job while they serve their time? What’s the purpose of prison anyone if it isn’t to teach a better way of life? Our whole prison system should be overhauled.
NYCbabe
On May 13, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Your exactly right, after they serve their time why should they have to pay.
Thats like paying for your own punishment
which makes no sense
swatilohani
On June 1, 2009 at 3:43 am
great
Princess Dre
On June 3, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Good article – very detailed – God Bless – Princess
cynthia b
On June 16, 2009 at 11:25 am
Good article. I felt you on that family aspect. The whole ex-con stigma affects everybody. You might want to check out my poem “Sometimes mommies go away” Keep your head up.
RS Wing
On August 21, 2009 at 11:06 am
The government seems to characterize incarceration as rehabilitation. If anything, quite the opposite. Divisions need to be made. Violent criminals/non- violent criminals. The latter will turn to the violence out of self preservation and hostile conditions perpetuated by the government. I feel that drug offenders, meaning addiction being a disease not a crime, should also be sub-divided from those government based violators as well. The notion that criminals have paid their debt to society is clearly perverted when you compare it to the above mentioned regarding the release of offenders not being able to access worthy employment only encourages them to land them right back into jail because crime may be the only income they can generate $ from to support their families after incarceration. Sad and ugly truth this America we are today. Fine article that rings so much truth regarding the human condition on both sides of the aisle. Great piece Jeff. Thumbs up!
fantazamaraz
On January 9, 2010 at 10:44 pm
There is no thing as second chance
While law enforcement takes the stance
That they alone decide the fates
Of each and every filed inmates
And keep lives filled with strife
On computer files for life
While cops laws themselves do break
And hypocrites doth them make
Badges with authority
Different rules for you and me
Them and us it’s not the same
They trip on a power game
The way it really works in court
Do anything but don’t get caught
The truth is really very sad
No such thing as good or bad
No immortal there as judges
Only hypocrites with grudges
Wreaking their personal wrath
Keeping you from straight path
No such thing as right or wrong
Only the poor and the strong
Rich and powerful calling shots
Deciding everyone elses lots
Justice is just a phrase
Buried in the legal maze
There never will be sympathy
For human error or mercy
Fat cats revenge unleashed for sure
Upon all those who break the law
Except for the chosen few with clout
Whose mouthpieces know the way out
The big crooks designed the law
To incarcerate the weak and poor
It’s been this way thru history
No justice there…for you or me…!
fantazamaraz: Writer-Director
Former radio DJ.