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Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Jobs for Felons: Finding a job even tougher for former inmates during pandemic

( Nati Harnik / Orlando Sentinel)


By Katy Rice, Originally published ORLANDO SENTINEL 


The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented barriers to the already difficult process of former inmates navigating their return to society, leaving advocates scrambling for new ways to help.

The crisis has halted some reentry programs entirely, limited the resources available to their clients or forced them to operate virtually. Advocates say some returning citizens will find the help simply isn’t there.

Then there’s the always-daunting challenge of finding a job. Without one, released inmates are unable to pay fines and fees associated with reentry, like the supervision fees often required for probation. Maintaining employment is often a requirement of supervision — and failing to do so can count as a violation.

Jill Viglione, a researcher and assistant criminal justice professor at UCF, recently contacted 213 community parole and probation agencies nationwide, finding that 30% to 50% of supervised people have lost their jobs since the pandemic began, the majority of which were in the service industry.

Out-of-work ex-offenders now find themselves among a flood of the newly unemployed people, many without the burden of a criminal history.

“It has the potential to really set a lot of people back who might have been working really hard to find a job or working really hard to maintain the job that they’ve had, and I’m worried about them for the future,” Viglione said.

‘The box’ still a barrier

David Crout, who spent four years in prison before being released in 2014, knows how tough it is to find a job.

“When I got out of prison, I was walking with the clothes on my back, no money,” said Crout, now 54.

Crout had lost a hospital job after he became addicted to prescription drugs and was convicted on endangerment and larceny charges. He lived at a homeless shelter after he was released from prison while looking for a stable job that offered a livable wage — without any luck.

“Twenty years of working in a hospital, but they don’t look at that when I look for an apartment, they don’t look at that when I look for a job, they look at ‘ex-offender,‘” he said. “ ... It’s a stigma, like homelessness, that’s placed on people.”

Crout eventually got back on his feet and moved to Leesburg, where he’s currently searching for a new job in a challenging market that has seen many workers laid off or unemployed in recent months.

Advocates worry employers’ prejudice against people with a criminal background, which is always a challenge ex-offenders face, will be even more difficult to overcome when so many people are out of work and seeking jobs.

“People who don’t have a criminal background are vying for those same jobs, because now they’re unemployed and they’re having to look outside their own preferred field or their own career,” Osceola County Jail reentry specialist Christina Mayo said. “… The competition is so much higher.”

Often, that prejudice arises in the first step of the hiring process: a screening question asking whether an applicant has been convicted of a felony is a staple on most job applications.

The nationwide “Ban the Box” campaign has been fighting to eliminate that hurdle for nearly two decades.

“The point is to actually look at the person as a person, look at their job skills and then find out, if there is a conviction history, does it have something to do with the job,” said Mark Fujiwara of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, the nonprofit that started the campaign.

Florida currently has no statewide law banning the box. A bill that proposed preventing employers from asking about a job candidate’s criminal background in the first stages of the hiring process died in committee in March.

But some cities have removed the question from employment applications. Orlando banned the box for applicants to city positions in May 2015.

Desmond Meade, executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, said another approach governments can take is to give priority in awarding contracts to businesses that hire ex-offenders.

Fujiwara suggested banning the box could help the economy well after the country recovers from the pandemic. But the current work-from-home boom presents potential pitfalls for ex-offenders, who may have limited access to and experience with the technology involved.

“A lot of people don’t have the skills or the resources to participate in the socially distanced, remote workforce,” Fujiwara said.

Finding work is essential to successful reentry, Meade said. In addition to having to pay fees associated with probation or parole and afford housing and transportation, a former prisoner could owe child support or face fines that can make it difficult to obtain a driver’s license, which in turn makes it difficult to get a job.

“This person is forced to pay for financial obligations that he has, but ... he’s prevented from actually being able to do the work,” Meade said.

Job counseling goes virtual

Usually, Turning Point Counseling works with inmates considered at risk of recidivism in a classroom setting at the Osceola County Jail to address their post-release concerns and create transition plans.

But COVID-19 has halted the mental health and life skills services program from accepting new inmates. One-on-one sessions are currently the only option, and even those have become difficult to arrange due to restrictions on inmate movement within the jail.

“It may be awhile before we can get back to that typical method that this program was really designed to do,” said Joanne Turner, who founded Turning Point Counseling in 1995. “... We’re doing the best that we can, and I know other programs like ours probably feel the same way.”

As the pandemic continues, Turner is rethinking how Turning Point will assist people in the future, whether it’s through Plexiglas at the jail’s chaplain’s office or through Zoom sessions with ex-offenders after they’re released.

Viglione said use of virtual methods to track and supervise ex-offenders has risen in the months since the pandemic started. Her June survey of 213 supervision agencies found that 91% were meeting with people through video conferencing, something nearly all of those surveyed said they’d implemented due to COVID-19.

Others are still meeting with clients in person, through drive-up curbside meetings or other socially distanced measures, Viglione said.

Job centers, too, have had to embrace a hybrid approach.

Ryan Ridley, career center manager at CareerSource Central Florida’s West Orange County office, said most of the workforce planning agency’s services, including one-on-one career counseling assistance and skill training seminars, have gone online.

Goodwill of Central Florida’s job connection centers have also gone virtual. That initially posed a challenge for job seekers who didn’t have access to computers or smartphones at home, but has become less problematic since libraries reopened, said Kim Praniewicz, senior director of marketing, communications and workforce development.

Goodwill has continued to offer employment resources to people behind bars. Life skills programs for inmates in the Orange County Jail are now contactless, with inmates completing coursework for the Goodwill team to review and provide feedback.

Goodwill representatives said they haven’t seen hiring slow during the pandemic overall, but there’s been a shift in which industries are hiring. Praniewicz said hiring in the hospitality industry slowed, while warehouse and transportation positions opened up as the supply chain shifted.

Ridley said the trade and logistics industry in particular has seen increased demand, especially for commercial drivers, which Ridley said “tends to be the most friendly and tolerant background employer.”

‘It’s tough, mentally'

Crout, who is looking for a job in Leesburg through Goodwill, said he has seen other ex-offenders struggle to find work during the early months of the pandemic.

“There aren’t as many positions out there,” he said. “It’s tough, mentally.”

Ten years after he was convicted for endangerment and larceny — the former for keeping the pain pills in his car within his family’s reach and the latter for stealing his grandmother’s jewelry to support his addiction — Crout hopes to work in outreach and use his story to motivate others to make good decisions.

“You have to be strong. A lot of people are in the same position as I am, but there are a lot of people a lot worse than me, too,” Crout said. “... My worst day out here is better than my best day in prison.”


Jobs for Felons



COVID-19 Jobs - Industries HIRING During The CORONAVIRUS Outbreak




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Monday, August 17, 2020

Jobs for Felons: How Is the Airline Industry Diversifying Its Employees?



Originally published on: http://aeronauticsonline.com/

Let’s face it. Some people just have more difficulty finding a job: those convicted of a crime, veterans, and people with disabilities to name a few. Some may even call these groups “unemployable.” These groups’ “issues,” however, do not automatically disqualify them from finding a job with the airline industry.

Many industry managers have come to realize that a more diverse workforce gives all of their employees the incentive for more creativity and innovation. The airline industry is also moving in this direction. Let’s examine the qualifications for specific jobs within the airline industry, ways that airlines are going out of their way to hire certain groups, and who may be disqualified from being a flight attendant or a pilot.

What Are Your Qualifications?


Most people, when they think of airline jobs, automatically think of pilots, and for good reason. Pilots and other members of the flight crew make up one-third of those employed by the airlines. Another misconception people have is to get a position with an airline, you must have a college degree, and that is simply not true. There are many high-paying jobs you can get without a college degree  if you just look for them.

The most popular airline position that does not require a degree is that of a flight attendant. To become a flight attendant, you must complete a three- to six-week training program that is conducted by the airline. Upon successfully completing the program, the candidate earns the Federal Aviation Administration Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, at which point, they can work in their chosen position.

Felons

From arraignment to conviction to eventual release, felons often have a difficult life, and most just want a second chance. But even after they pay their debt to society and supposedly have a “clean slate,” most people don’t treat them as such. More than a quarter of people who served their time are unemployed.

So, does the airline industry hire felons? American Airlines states that they completely consider “all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history.” This signifies that they examine an applicant’s prior experience and qualifications more than their previous legal issues. This doesn’t mean an applicant will find it easy to secure a position with an airline. Rather, that it is not impossible. 

And what about the coveted position of a flight attendant? Felons are not completely prohibited, but it does come with restrictions. If a person was convicted of a felony within the last five years or has more than one such conviction, they are ineligible. Why? A flight attendant needs to be able to fly in and out of Canada, and Canadian law forbids a person with a conviction to do so. The felon can sometimes get around that, however, by applying for a waiver from Canadian immigration.  

Veterans

Another disproportionately unemployed group is veterans. There are several reasons for this. A lot of civilian employers stereotype veterans as being very rigid and inflexible. Sometimes, it may be a challenge for a veteran to put their military-based skills into civilian language. They may also be skilled in a few things that the employer wants, but not have all of the skills that an employer expects.

Many of the skills veterans gain as part of their military training like motivation, ambition, and the ability to adapt, make them great pilot candidates. One big obstacle for some veterans becoming pilots is specific physical and mental conditions that their military service may have caused including Gulf War Syndrome and PTSD. In addition to these specific conditions, many antianxiety and antidepressant medications are on the “do not take” list, which excludes many veterans from being considered “pilot material.”

Another big roadblock that veterans face to becoming pilots is a lack of funds. Most veterans find the cost of the training and renting an airplane for the required flight time cost-prohibitive. In 2018, this problem of finances was solved for 40 veterans, thanks to the “Forces to Flyers” program. This program was designed to provide “flight training extending from the first flight lesson through the training necessary to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) or Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFI-I),” paving the way for veterans to become pilots.

People with Disabilities

Many stereotypes hold employers back from hiring people with disabilities. Employers believe that they will not be as productive, they will be absent more frequently, and that, due to government regulations, they will have difficulty firing them if they do not work out.

In addition, the people within the airline industry are often perceived as more physically-fit than the general population, largely due to the strong influence that the military has had on aviation throughout the years. This doesn’t mean, however, that you cannot find work in the following positions:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technician
  • Inspector
  • Emergency or Medical Professional
  • Customer Service 

People with disabilities can find work through the airlines with a special program geared just for them: the National Outreach Program for Diversity and Inclusion. This program helps individuals with the following disabilities find gainful employment:

  • Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Missing extremities
  • Paralysis
  • Dwarfism

When interviewing for a position, applicants under this program are expected to bring, along with the regular documents such a resume and transcripts, documentation about their specific disability.

This program does not mean that these individuals will qualify to be pilots, however. Many medical conditions disqualify someone from pursuing the position of a pilot:

  • Epilepsy
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Substance Abuse
  • Bipolar disease
  • Unconsciousness that has no cause

The airline industry recognizes the benefits of diversity in its workforce and is doing its best to incorporate diversity by hiring felons, veterans, and people with disabilities. They prefer hiring on merit instead of looking at a person’s disqualifying attributes. There are even programs that provide veterans and people with disabilities the chance to become part of the airline industry when it may not have been possible in the past. Due to the strides of the airline industry, many can find gainful, satisfying employment in a field that they love.


Companies that hire felons

How To Get A Job With An Airline - The Straight Scoop




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Thursday, July 9, 2020

Jobs for Felons: Walmart announces big-money racial equity initiatives

Jobs for Felons: Walmart announces big-money racial equity initiatives

Walmart's five initiatives follow $100M commitment to racial equity following death of George Floyd



Originally published by FOXBusiness

Walmart executives are planning several company initiatives to increase racial equity at the retail behemoth.

The company plans to work with minority-owned suppliers, deepen ties to historically black colleges, increase access to health care, work to hire nonviolent felons and develop a more inclusive company, CEO Doug McMillon wrote in a memo posted to the Walmart website.

“Black Lives Matter. It is all our responsibilities to embrace that fact in what we say and what we do," McMillion wrote. "There’s no way to live our values if we don’t."

Walmart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The memo was a follow-up to a company-wide virtual meeting last week at which racial equality at Walmart was discussed. McMillon's memo highlighted how the company has made increasing diversity within its ranks of associates and managers a priority and how it will continue to do so.

"How can you, as an anti-racist ally, create an environment where Blacks and African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, LGBTQ, those with disabilities and women, don’t feel it’s a big decision to speak up?" McMillon wrote. "Let’s create a supportive, trustful environment where people can share how they’re feeling, so 'small' issues don’t stack."

Walmart faced controversy this week because some stores placed “multicultural hair and beauty products” in locked cases, which many African American customers said was discriminatory. The company announced Thursday that it had discontinued the practice.

he memo was published after the Arkansas-based company announced last week that it is donating $100 million through a new center on racial equity. The company has also joined a growing list of businesses that have announced big-dollar donations to racial equity initiatives in the wake of George Floyd's killing while he was in police custody and the protests against racism and policing that have swept the country since.

Supermarkets like Publix and Kroger have announced millions of dollars in donations while tech titans have taken the lead in the private sector. Apple announced a $100 million commitment Thursday to a new “Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.” YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki announced on Thursday a $100 million commitment to “amplify” black voices, and Facebook and Amazon have both promised $10 million to organizations supporting racial justice.

Walmart's five initiatives are:

Financial System

Walmart plans to examine its financial and business practices to identify greater opportunities for minority-owned businesses to identify opportunities to influence how access to capital works beyond Walmart.

Health care

Walmart plans to explore ways to provide greater access to better health and wellness through its businesses such as pharmacies, digital capabilities and Walmart Health Clinics. The initiative will be focused on customers and associates.

Education

Walmart plans to strengthen academic support and create broader and deeper ties through its recruiting programs with historically black colleges and universities.

Criminal Justice

Walmart plans to review and evolve its recruiting and hiring practices to ensure nonviolent, formerly incarcerated applicants are appropriately considered as they reenter the workforce and focus on successfully onboarding those associates.

Inclusion

Walmart plans to continue to build a more inclusive company globally.


Companies that hire felons


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Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Trades Schools/Programs Can Stop Police Shootings



I usually post answers on my blog to questions I get from ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs.  Today, I found an article that is interesting.  Tell me what you think

- Eric


Originally posted at https://www.hypefresh.co/trades-schools-programs-can-stop-police-shootings/


What If Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, and all other black men killed by police were seen as hardworking men?


Police shootings of unarmed black men and women are the most significant issues this country is facing right now. A post-secondary school option could be the solution to this ongoing problem.

Netflix has an entire collection of movies viewers can watch to educate themselves on the African American experience. One of the movies featured is a Netflix Original entitled 13th. If you haven’t already, please do yourself a favor and watch that documentary, because the prison industrial complex is real.

However, all you need to know right now, is that African Americans are criminalized far too often in this country. In light of that anecdote, the issue of police killings of black men and women can gain more clarity.

Due to the racist background of policing in this country and the effect of migration of labor jobs out of American. African Americans have been stripped away from the thing that made them so valuable.

According to NPR, thousands of high paying trade jobs remain open because of a lack of qualified workers. This may not seem relatable, but if you look at how African Americans were able to build wealth in the past, and there is a direct correlation.

Aside from Slave, most black people held skilled labor titles such as Welder, Plumber, Contractor, Etc. In fact, because of Slavery, only a small portion of the working-class white could perform most trades.

The 13th amendment made black people into criminals; college marketing made black people broke. As black people started migrating north searching for more freedoms, they began to go to college rather than work with their hands. This trend continued and was joined by public schools removing trades.

This has to lead us to where we are today—police shootings of unarmed African American men and women over petite crimes.  If the general perception of African Americans were that they are hardworking, skilled laborers, the “fear” that gets them killed wouldn’t exist.

In Philadelphia, there is a school called Philadelphia Training Technician Institute that teaches welding, masonry, among other trades. Many of the students are from the inner city, convicted felons, or people off the street. Yet one thing is clear; this men are up to something good.

Whether it is 10 am or 10 pm, which is the time some night students leave, with their gear, workboots, and bookbags, the thugs the media see become the worker’s people respect.

Rayshard Brooks and George Floyd both may still be dead even if they had mutual degrees from Harvard. That is because race is color first, Conversely, though, it’s about perception second and that perception can be swayed with just the slightest change. Ex) Football Player takes a knee, he is a problem. Cop Takes a knee on a man’s neck and kills him; he is a hero. See what I did there?

What do you guys think about Police Shootings of unarmed Black People? Could Trade schools help change how police see people of color?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.



Companies that Hire Felons




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Trades Schools/Programs Can Stop Police Shootings




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Monday, June 22, 2020

Female Felon Seeks a Job

Female Felon Seeks a Job


Female Felon Seeks a Job
Hi,

My name is Melissa I'm from Philly I do have a criminal record. I got into some trouble when I was 18 years old and was found guilty of aggravated assault, possessing instrument of a crime, simple assault, criminal conspiracy, reckless endangering another person. I was given 11 months jail time.


I thought I needed to better my self because I knew it wasn't gonna be easy trying to find work so I went back to school when I was 26 and got my high school diploma and went to school for cosmetology and completed it also in '07. I'm 28 now single mom of 2 year old twins my question is on my record there are a lot of charges that I wasn't found guilty of and next to them it says nolle prossed.  Is there any way that I can get those removed because it looks really bad with all these charges on there and I think this might be the reason why my luck hasn't been good.

Is there a program out there that has job leads only for ex-offenders if so please put me down. 



 Female Felon Seeks a Job




Hello Melissa,
Female Felon Seeks a Job

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. As I suggest to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is to apply to small companies. Surely there are hundreds of small salons in Philadelphia that can use a hard-working person with a cosmetology degree. You may have to be willing to start off at the bottom, perhaps shampooing and cleaning up. It may not be what you want right away but it's a start. Pick up the phone book and start making a list of salons to visit. Have some business cards made up and leave them with salon owners advertising that you will work on an on call basis if there are no permanent positions available.


You may want to the Philadelphia Re-entry Coalition.  There you will find a list of resources that can help ex-offenders and felon.  You can get more information here: https://www.philadelphiareentrycoalition.org

 In Pennsylvania, under some circumstances, you may be able to have a criminal record expunged, which means that information is removed from your record.  If you are eligible to have your records expunged, you may petition the court for an order of expungement. I suggest seeking legal assistance from a qualified attorney. You may be able to free or low-cost help at your local legal aid office. You can get more information here:

https://clsphila.org/services/criminal-record-expungement/

I hope this helps

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