I came across this email on your website as I am
looking for ways to help my adult son. He is a heroin addict in
recovery. He wants to become an addiction counselor, but we are
struggling to find someone to get advice from. He is very intelligent
and has a bachelor's in psych. He wants to get his MS and applied to
the program at our local university, but was turned down based on the
felony, telling him they don't want him to end up with more student
loans, as the licensing bd in Ohio will not grant him a license. He is
very depressed, feeling that he will never be able to do what he wants
to do.
He has of course had great difficulty finding any work. He was
just hired to do heavy lifting in a warehouse for low pay. He's worked
there a week, and has put in 50 hours.
He's 28, with back and foot problems, and has been coming home in great
pain. This has added to the feeling that he will never get a good job,
will never be able to live on his own, marry one day, and support a
family. It doesn't help that he has a brother who is an attorney, and a
sister in medical school. He would be happy to get a lesser job as a
case aid or similar position so that he can prove himself.
He tells me
he has heard of other drug counselors who were felons, but we can't find
one for him to talk to. There is little hope of having his record
expunged because he has two misdemeanor charges for behavior when he was
using (non violent) , plus the felony for use. That excludes you from
expungement in Ohio. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you,
Trying to help without enabling,
Demi
Felon wants job as an Addiction Counselor
Hello Demi,
I know of addiction counselors whohave criminal records, but that is here in NJ. My suggestion is to contact the local United Way. The United Way supports an array of social assistance programs. Perhaps they can refer you to a rehab center they are affiliated with. Your son could probably volunteer a few hours per week to acquaint himself with the facility and work with counselors. I am sure he will meet someone who could steer him in the right direction. He could possibly find employment opportunities within one of the agencies the United Way supports.
New research shows employers could be missing out by avoiding felons in hiring
Jordan Yadoo
For millions of U.S. job applicants with a criminal record, just making it past the screening stage of the hiring process is a challenge. New research shows that could be the employer's loss.
Using the U.S. military — the nation's largest employer — as a test case to evaluate the work performance of felons upon re-entering the job market, researchers from Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst found they were no more likely than other enlistees to be discharged for the negative reasons employers often assume, such as misconduct or poor performance. What's more, they were actually promoted at a slightly higher rate and to higher ranks than those with clean criminal records.
One explanation as to why relates to the additional review process felons undergo to secure a criminal military waiver. The holistic screening takes into account the nature of the crime and time since conviction, along with any compensating skills and experience, and could result in the selection of above average recruits. The other possibility is that, having received a second chance of sorts, felons are more committed to their work and getting promoted given the scarcity of employment opportunities elsewhere.
"We see these results as very promising in terms of thinking about how, given appropriate screening, those with felony-level criminal records seem to make very promising employees," said Devah Pager, a Harvard sociologist who co-authored the study with Jennifer Lundquist and Eiko Strader from UMass Amherst. "Employers may be missing out on a huge amount of talent by screening out all those with felony-level records."
The study is one of the first to assess the actual performance of felons in the workplace, according to the authors. Previous research has focused on the employment barriers themselves that result from a criminal record. A 2003 study by Pager, for example, showed that ex-offenders are roughly half as likely to receive a callback relative to equally qualified applicants with no criminal record, and that black candidates suffer disproportionately. The study found that whites with criminal records received more interview callbacks than blacks without past arrests.
The new research, which used the Freedom of Information Act to collect administrative data on 1.3 million ex-offender and non-offender soldiers who enlisted between 2002 and 2009, lends support to the so-called "Ban the Box" campaign spreading around the country that aims to persuade employers to remove the check box on hiring applications that asks candidates whether they have been convicted of a crime. Supporters of the campaign say the box unnecessarily narrows the pool of qualified applicants.
Some 23 states, over 100 cities and some of the largest U.S. private employers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., and Koch Industries Inc. have already taken steps to remove barriers in the hiring of those with a criminal record. The federal government last week proposed a rule that would prohibit federal agencies from asking about a job applicant's criminal history until after making a conditional employment offer.
The "Ban the Box" campaign "isn't saying that employers shouldn't do criminal background checks," Pager said. "It's just saying to first focus on skills and qualifications that are relevant to the job."
If adopted nationwide, such measures could help lift employment barriers for millions of ex-offenders. Today, the U.S. incarcerated population is about four-and-a-half times larger than in 1980, with more than 2.2 million people held in federal and state prisons and county jails in 2014, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Even after adjusting for population growth, the incarceration rate grew by more than 220 percent from 1980 to 2014, according to a White House Council of Economic Advisers report issued last week. More than 600,000 individuals are released from prison each year.
Given the increase of job seekers with criminal pasts, Pager sees legitimate consequences for the broader labor market if otherwise qualified candidates are weeded out.
"We know that finding a quality, steady job following release from prison is one of the strongest predictors of desistance from crime," she said. "For that reason alone, reintegrating ex-offenders and supporting employment as a key part of that process is in everyone's interest."
Lady Felon has Made Mistakes but Trying to move Forward
Dear Mr. Mayo,
This letter is finding it's way to you today because thru out this
journey I've been venturing alone I fortunately asked Google the right
question, browsed the Internet tapping in the direction to find you, or
possibly just a higher power. Whatever it was that has lead me to this
path I'm taking my opportunity to finally find someone who can guide me
in the direction I needed to be in months possibly years ago.
My name is
Kandy, I am as of 01/06/2015 convicted felon ×7, I by the grace
of God was fortunate enough to be blessed to keep my nursing license.
Yes, I am a licensed practical nurse 10 years, 11 years 03/09/2016. & was a nursing assistant 12 years before that. My license is under suspension at least until March 15, 2017.
But thru all the court proceedings, separation from my husband of 18
years, 2 kids then 12y/o & 4y/o, losing our home, cars, dignity,
job, income, I mean literally losing everything besides the ability to
breathe.
So I have only worked about 3 months in the past 2 years. I'm
desperate to learn all I can to just make some kind of progress towards
employment. Still legally married, my husband in his trade 15 years
making $38.74 hourly, now about to take his journey man's test making
about $45-$50 an hour and have to beg for $20 fir gas to get his
children across town to school. I could go on and on. What is most
important is I'm hard working, dedicated, always give 110% even in
chaotic/stressful/basic events. I believe strongly in working as a team,
doing whatever it takes to get the job done, I'm humble and learn
quickly, if I don't know something I'll bust my tail to figure it out,
compassionate, silly, friendly, outgoing, energetic, intelligent,
professional. 100% adult /woman enough to admit that I admit only
naming my hood qualities but know that I have many bad as does the rest
of the human race, but I conduct myself in a respectful professional
manner. I know there's a time and an place for everything and can admit
when I'm wrong, as well as right my wrongs proudly. Lastly I'm
genuinely a good person that made mistakes, who's life got the best of
for a minute, but I am sober 4 years & 79 days since 11/01/11.
I will help any and everyone I can always have everyday of my life.
Before this letter I had been do ashamed and humiliated that I fell off
from heart ache, too proud to ask for help, & wanted to fix my life
quickly & quietly before it all came out. However, I'm broke and
struggling while bringing my children to suffer with me.
So my story
doesn't end here, this is one step towards my success story no matter
the outcome. Your an amazing man to do any of this, from my travels
down this path I now have a desire and passion to do what you are doing, to
help change things to where a mistake doesn't mean a life sentence no
matter what your actual sentence was. To help show that of you give
incentives, rewards, & just give a chance not taking an Ex-Offenders
rights/privileges & commodities away even after their debt is paid,
sentence maxed out, or they do any and every thing they are offered to
rehabilitate themselves. Maybe one day they will see its the
struggle, the difficulty, the failure time & time again, constant
disappointment, the prejudicial preconceived notions of who or what a
person is only because they got caught while everyone commits some kind
of crime breaking the law as we are not perfect it's enviable doesn't
give the right to judge, revoke all amenities and then wonder why
there's drug epidemics, and why people re-offend causing revolving
doors. I hope to hear from you soon, to listen, learn, and complete any
info u throw my way. I thank you so much for your time, be safe &
have a great day.
Sincerely,
Kandy
Lady Felon has Made Mistakes but Trying to move Forward
Hello Kandy,
I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. I hear time and time again that society should be more forgiving in its treatment of ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. While this may be true, most of the people I meet consciously committed the crimes they were convicted of and they know of the penalties that come along with getting caught. That is the risk they take when they choose to play the game. The rules are clear, if you get caught, you will probably get some time, you will be an outcast of society and it will be difficult to get a job. Everyone know this, so I have to remind them that they are not victims. They must accept the fact that they screwed up their lives so they are responsible to for fixing it. Will it be hard? Yes! Will they need help? Yes, all they can get.
My first suggestion is for you to contact the nearest United Way Office. The United way supports a number of social service agencies that may be able to help your family. There may also be services that aid ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs and organizations that advocate for them.
Next, you will have to build a job search plan. First decide what type of work you are qualified to do. You will then need a resume. If you do not have one, You may be able to get help at your nearest One-stop Career Center.
Daily access to thousands of job listings
Each state has a network of centers that offer a variety of free
services that can help prepare you for a job and assist you in finding employment. In addition, these centers offer aid for career training. You may be able to get training for a career that may not be impacted by your record.
Some services available are:
Career planning and counseling
Workshops (Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and related topics.)
Computers with internet access and word processing
Job-related magazines and local newspapers
Job postings and referrals
Printers, fax machines, phones, and copiers for job search use
You will be able to find the One-stop Career Center near you by clicking the link below:
Stay strong and take advantage of the resources available to you. It won't be easy but a little hard work and guidance can help you overcome what has been a difficult situation.
I hope this helps.
Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to getting a Job with a Criminal record
Jobs for Felons: Felons can get jobs using the Federal Bonding Program
Lady Felon has Made Mistakes but Trying to move Forward
Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores
I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for many years and if there is one thing I stress is the power of the first impression. How you look is going to speak volumes about you before you ever open your mouth. Whether out looking for a job, filling out applications or interviewing that first impression is powerful. What do people see when they see you? Do they see a thug or a businessperson? Everything about you should "Professional."
The classic look for men is a dark suit with a light colored shirt and a color coordinated tie. At the very least, dark slacks, with a light colored shirt and a nice silk tie. Don't forget the shined shoes. For women, a classic pant or skirt suit with coordinated pumps.
I meet ex-offenders and felons who tell me that they do not have the money to buy the kind of clothes that I'm talking about. There is a solution, the local thrift store. I know what you are thinking- used clothes,
yuck! Get rid of you prejudices that thrift stores are full of junk that other people threw away. The fact is, thrift stores often have high quality clothes at bargain basement prices. Check this true story about an actual student of mine:
"Real Stories of Ex-offenders and Felons Looking for Jobs"
I recently took a student of mine to a local thrift store because he told me he did not have clothes for an upcoming interview. This is what we got.
1 pair of Perry Ellis Portfolio double pleated, cuffed slacks - $4.00
1 Ralph Lauren Dress shirt - $3.00
1 Nautica silk tie - $2.00
1 pair of Cole Haan shoes $12.00
He went home with clothes that would make him look like a million dollars for $21.00!
Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores
Thrift stores are great for finding good bargains on clothes. Here are some tips to make thrift store shopping a great experience.
Give yourself time. Thrift stores usually have a lot of things to look through. Take your time and find what you need.
Go with a friend. It’s good to have a second opinion. If you're a guy, go with a girl. If you're a girl, vice versa. Your friend will be able to help you decide if something really looks good on you.
Find out if there are any sales. Some thrift stores color code the sale items. Some stores even have a sale day. Find out how to make your thrift store bargains even better.
If possible, buy clothes that are machine washable. What good is getting a good deal on slacks if you can only dry clean them.
Look clothes over very carefully. Nothing is worse than thinking you have found a nice shirt, only to get home and find a hole on the back or the cuffs are frayed.
Try clothes on. You will feel really bad if you got those great slacks home and they don't fit
Wash clothes when you get home. Thrift store clothes are basically clean, but many have been on the rack for a while and need to be freshened up before wearing.
Thrift stores are a great option for ex-offenders and felons who want to look professional but do not have a lot of money. To find your local thrift store, check your local telephone book. Even if you haven't decided that thrift stores are for you. Try one anyway. Go down and look around. Even if you don't buy anything the first time, don't be surprised if you go back at another time.
Jobs for Felons: How to Shop at Thrift Stores
Jobs for ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs : What to wear to the interview
Jobs for Felons and Ex-offenders: How to Tie a Tie
Jobs for felons: Ten Simple Steps to Getting a Job with a Criminal Record
Are you an ex-offender or felon
who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? I have
been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for over ten years and I
feel I have an understanding of what works. I will be updating this
blog often. I will answer specific questions relating to getting a job with a criminal record on this blog so feel free to send me your
questions. The right information could help a felonget jobs. You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: Adogzheart2@gmail.com.
If you are a felonand really serious about getting a job or you want to help someone you care about get a job, check out this link: From Jail to a Job
Can I get Job with an Adjudication Withheld Sex Offense?
Hi, I seem to be
having issues getting a job. I’m a registered sex offender in Florida. I have Adjudication withheld innocent. Never on probation and no restrictions. I only have to register
twice a year. I’m a one of a kind since most offenders had probation etc. I can
vote and carry a gun.
I had sex with my
wife when she was two months shy of 18. State attorney charged me with statutory
rape. We are still married and have a 5 year old daughter. This is affecting my
life. I have an MBA and masters in criminology.
I was forced to quit my job as a police officer of 15 years because of
the charges.
Every time I apply for a job I get turned down. I guess I
could move to any of the 36 other states that don’t consider my crime as a
problem since most states is 16. Also adjudication in say Georgia is not a
problem since they consider it as innocent.
I want to stay in Florida what do you suggest short of writing the Governor
for a pardon.
- WG
Can I get Job with an Adjudication Withheld Sex Offense?
Hello WG,
Since very few pardons are granted, that may not be a viable option. The good news is that Withheld Adjudication has a positive outlook. Typically, there are terms associated with the this process, usually a fine and probation. Once the terms are met, the original charges are dropped leaving only an arrest record. When background checks are done, only the charge is seen. You can find out from the prosecutor associated with the case to find out if the terms were met and the charges were indeed dropped.
If indeed the charges were dropped, expungement may be an option. Expungement essentially is a process that will hide the charges from public view. If an expungement is granted, the charge will not show up on a background check, making getting a job a lot easier. Because this a legal process, I would would seek assistance from a qualified legal professional that understands the process in your state. You should contact the legal aid office in your community where you could possibly get free legal assistance in this matter.
Can I get Job with an Adjudication Withheld Sex Offense?
Me and my husband live in East Saint Louis, Ill. and we have a 2 two year old son. I'm working but my husband isn't. He can't find work anywhere. His problem is he can't find anyplace the will hire him because he has a record. He did something really stupid when he wad 18 years old. He stole a lawn mower out of somebody's yard. Because of that stupid mistake he made as a kid, he now has a felony record and NOBODY will hire him. He is 27 now and this is still holding him back. He has tried so many places and everyone keeps turning him down
Can you please help me? We're trying so hard to get on our feet and we can't because of this nine year old charge. I don't know what were going to do if he can't find a job.
Jessie
Jobs for Felons: Illinois Felon can't Find a Job
Hello Jessie,
I'm not sure how much a nine year old conviction is holding your husband back. In these economic times, finding a job for everyone is tough. What I tell felons looking for jobs is it's going to take a lot of hard work. I remind them that find a job is a numbers game. Felons are hired everyday. The hard part is finding employers that will give a felon a chance at a job.
What I mean by finding a job is a numbers game is, the more jobs leads you get the more chances you have to get an interview. The more interviews you get, the better your chances of getting hired. So, where is the best place to get job leads. I encourage every felon to visit the local One-stop Career center. The local One-stop is your state sponsored employment office. There you will find a lot of services that can help your husband land a job. Among those services are listings of open jobs in your area. You can get one-on-one job search assistance from trained counselors. There is resume assistance and referrals to job training that could lead to a career. You can find your local One-stop Career center here:
Another option for felons looking for jobs is to apply for temporary employment. Often temporary jobs turn into more permanent situations. When applying for employment at temporary agencies, my students have more success with smaller independent agencies as opposed to national companies. In many cases, the large companies have regulations from their corporate offices that prohibit the hiring of ex-offenders and felons. Independent agencies are free to hire anyone they feel would be a good employee.
Your husband will have to put in hard work to get a job. I don't just mean hard work finding employers, but getting a professional looking resume, brushing up on his interviewing skills and getting the proper clothing to make good impression on employers.