“More than 19 million people have a felony records, and more than 100 million criminal records exist in state criminal history repositories (individuals may have a criminal record in several states). These records routinely bar individuals from obtaining employment. Even when a person is as equally qualified as another candidate for a position, research shows that employers are less likely to offer those with felony records a callback or a job than those without such a record. People of color with criminal records face an even greater employment penalty than their white counterparts.

“In other instances, entire industries seek to exclude the convicted through overbroad “ good moral character” clauses that are weaponized to deny the convicted occupational licenses in the guise of improving public health or safety. In reality, these restrictions can result in quite the opposite effect: As employment is a key factor in decreasing an individual’s chance of recidivism, restricting employment reduces public safety. Even when individuals do not return to crime, children and families of those with criminal records who are unemployed suffer from a lack of financial resources. ”

Read the editorial by Emily Mooney and Arthur Rizer in the Washington Examiner.

From Bill Dobbs and the Dobbs Wire.

Posted by rbchatelle on Monday, January 14th, 2019 @ 9:18AM
Categories: prisons and prisoners

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