Seeking opportunities for formally convicted / remove criminal background from job applications

During a press conference held at the Berean Institute Thursday, Miller joined members of local organizations such as X-Offenders for Community Empowerment (XCE), the NAACP and others to publically announce efforts to “ban the box”.

The conference was packed with members of the community who were either themselves formerly incarcerated and complained of job discrimination or were the friends or loved ones of those who were.

“The press conference will serve as an announcement of the movement to restore economic and social rights to the formerly convicted,” read a press release distributed by the group XCE.

According to the group, the ultimate goal of the movement is to “guarantee the 300,000, and rising, formerly convicted people in Philadelphia get fair interviews for employment,” said Wayne Jacobs, the group’s executive director and co-founder.

While it is understood that some occupations will always require background checks of its applicants, it is believed that “the box” requiring applicants to check either yes or no to the question “have you ever been convicted of a crime” on the job application themselves, as opposed to interviews where such convictions can be explained, often exclude formerly convicted persons from a fair review of their qualifications even when such convictions would have no bearing on their ability to perform the tasks required by the jobs sought.

The bill would prohibit employers from denying employment because of arrests that did not result in convictions, require background checks to be done through the Pennsylvania State Police, and prevent such checks from being performed until after an offer of employment has been extended, among other things.

While some see the bill as an issue of discrimination, others, like Wali Smith, prison liaison of the NAACP Philadelphia branch, also sees it as a public safety issue, one which could possibly reduce recidivism and lower the city’s overall crime rate.

Barry, House manager at Stop and Surrender shared his feelings and the requests and needs of formerly convicted persons, whom are transitioning from half way house status. Sister Waheedah Shabezz-El http://www.champnetwork.org/staff/waheedah-shabazz-el and http://fight.org/ , Reuben Jones http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/111109299.html , Malik A. Aziz and Wali Smith of Men United For A Better Philadelphia / NAACP and others offered resource information. Berean Institute instructor explained services and career options including low cost grooming at the cosmetology school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAKdFbvS1_g&feature=autoplay&...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcUcu5dgRhw&feature=mfu_in_order...

“When people come out of prison and want to do the right thing to feed their children and pay their bills and are precluded from doing so, they then return to the things they used to do,” said Smith who noted that formerly incarcerated people have to provide for their families as well.

Measures to “ban the box” on applications have reportedly passed in such states as Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, New Mexico and a host of others who have ratified laws which would limit its use on applications.

“The formerly convicted are the last minority to be legally discriminated against for jobs, housing and other resources most people take for granted,” read documents released by XCE http://www.x-offenders.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-xv1Gb9OT0&feature=player_embedded

Recorded on January 13, 2011 University of Pennsylvania Law students making a documentary in support of the Ban the Box on job applications regarding criminal records history.

Portions of this article was ( WRITTEN BY NATHANIEL LEE TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT)

Comentarios

I could not volunteer

Submitted by Catherine Morris (no verificado) on Sáb, 01/29/2011 - 3:59pm

Over the course of many years I feel that the system has produced a lot of it's on problems in our Society. Being one to not always point the finger but work towards solving what little I can is why I send this. My record has always been a shame for me and I have never even mentioned it to my family for putting that shame on them. Not to long ago I applied for a volunteer position which had to do with Medical Emergency for my area. I can't even give what little skills I have away, they never e-mailed me or called me back, after many attempts.
This is in my opinion a great loss to my Municipality if something
like Hatti, came to our shores. Of course my further investigations into the matter were prompted all over with no results. I was only a Medical Assistant but a dawn good one, with the grades to prove it. This all being said, I am 59yrs old now but there are many young men and women out there needing that second chance and aren't being considered. We must make our Law Makers and Employers see this is an injustice which in the long run we will pay dearly for.
Catherine Morris

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It doesn't matter you still

Submitted by Anonymous (no verificado) on Jue, 02/03/2011 - 6:07pm

It doesn't matter you still gonna be labeled unless your record is cleared companies will still find away to check your background it's policy you just can't get around it especially in philly were there is alot of ex-offenders, ban the box is a good start but not the solution.

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