Besides Jobs, What Do Ex-offenders and Felons Need?

I use this blog to answer questions from ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. From time to time, I come across some things from others that I feel should be shared. This comes from a human services student, Roger P., who would like to know directly from those in need what is needed.

 "I am not a convicted felon or an ex-offender, however, I know many people who are and see the struggle they have in that life situation. Today something tugged at my heartstrings. I am human services student, currently working on certification as an alcohol and drug counselor. I have been doing research for a class on the topic of criminality. My first instinct was to explain what criminal thinking is and how it is changed. However, my research has led me in a different direction. I have decided to concentrate on the lack of resources, myths rubber-stamped by society, and postulating an awareness of these struggles that continue the cycle to recidivism.

I'm asking you, to help me understand, how I can help you and others, who wear that rubber-stamp (CONVICTED FELON), to live productive, meaningful, and happy lives. The only person who truly understands what it is to be oppressed is the oppressed person. As the societal oppressor, I can stand on your shoulders all day long and never know what it feels like for you to have me standing on your shoulders." 

All comments are welcome

Please Rate This Post at the Top!

- Eric

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where Ex-offenders and Felons Can Find Jobs

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to getting a Job with a Criminal record

Besides Jobs, What Do Ex-offenders and Felons Need?

Can I work in a hospital with Deferred Conviction?

Hello Mr. Mayo,

Last year I was arrested and and charged with a crime.  I was given deferred conviction.  I just applied to work in the kitchen of a hospital.  It is a really good job and I want to know if that deferred conviction will keep me from getting it.

Kelly

 Can I work in a hospital with Deferred Conviction?

Hello Kelly,

Deferred Conviction / Deferred Judgement / Deferred Adjudication is sometimes offered to first time offenders who commit lesser crimes.  It allows the offender to keep a clean record.  In most cases the offender enters a guilty plea and is sentenced to probation and and a fine.  One the probation is finished and fine is paid, the original charges are dropped allowing the offender to keep a clean record.  Since the charges are dropped, there is no conviction.  The arrest will be there but no conviction.  This process allows the court system to process more cases without clogging up courtrooms.

When it comes to applying for jobs, most employers are only concerned with convictions rather than arrests.  When filling out the application, pay careful attention to the wording.  If the application asks "Have you ever been arrested......" You must list the arrest.  If it asks "Have you ever been convicted......"  you can answer "No" because there was no conviction.

I hope my explanation makes sense.  If it does not, I suggest you contact either the prosecutor of the case or your probation officer to give you a better explanation.  The point I am making is, do not list your arrest if you do not have to.  I encourage everyone with a criminal background who is looking for a job to never offer information that isn't asked for.  Never tell anyone anything they don't have to know especially if could harm your chances of getting hired.


Please Rate This Post at the Top!

Jobs for Felons: What is the difference between deferred adjudication and probation?

Jobs for Felons: Know your Rights about Background Checks

Jobs for Felons: Employment Background Checks Basics

 

Can I work in a hospital with Deferred Conviction?

Felon has serious conviction and needs job search help

Hello Mr. Mayo,

I love reading your blog.  Thank you for this information.  I have been looking for a job but I have a very serious charge and it is making it very hard for me to get a job.  In 2002, I got into a fight with a guy.  I didn't start it but the guy got beat up pretty bad and later died.  I was charged with assault and involuntary manslaughter.  I have done my time but I feel that this black mark is keeping me from getting a job.

I am not a violent person but this thing makes me look like a monster.  What can I do?

Henry

 Felon has serious conviction and needs job search help

Hello Henry,

That is quite a story.  It's unfortunate that hings turned out the way they did.  It certainly could have been a lot worse.  You could have been the other guy.  Your charge is serious but it is not the end of the world.  I work with ex-offenders and felons everyday and I have had students with similar felonies and they are working to this day.  To employers, theft, robbery and other crimes involving integrity are looked down far more than offenses like yours.

When you apply for jobs you should respond to the "Have you been convicted of a crime..." question this way.  When answering this question you must list four things.  You must list the location of the conviction (County, State,) the conviction, the date of the conviction and the disposition ( final outcome.)  It should look

like this:

Cook County, Illinois,   Involuntary Manslaughter (Isolated Incident,) June 2005, Time served, 13 years.

Notice the notation after the conviction "Isolated Incident."  This tells the employer that this was something that was not planned, it was circumstantial. You will be surprised how well this works.  When you get an interview, the charge will probably come up.  You should begin your explanation of the incident with "I'm glad you asked that question because I want you to be comfortable hiring me......."  then, most humbly explain what happened.

I tell every felon I work with that finding a job is a numbers game.  The more jobs you apply for, the more interviews you will get.  The more interviews you get, the more opportunities you will get to get hired.  Apply for every job you feel you qualify for.  Never eliminate yourself by not applying.


Please Rate This Post at the Top!

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where Ex-offenders and Felons Can Find Jobs

Jobs for Felons: What Employers want on Applications

Jobs for Felons:3 Most Common Mistakes Made on an Employment Application

Are you a felon or ex-offender who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here.  Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

If you are 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

 

   

Felon has serious conviction and needs job search help

Felon wants job as an Addiction Counselor

Dear Sir or Madam,

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 who have 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.

I hope this helps

Felon wants job as an Addiction Counselor

Eric Mayo