Why can't convicted felons ever find work?

Hello I live in California in a small town called Tehachapi and I'm a convicted Felon I was convicted of a Hit and run and drug charges and Retaing use of an access card with intent to comit fraud. the hit and run I can understand the Drug charges well...

they are what they are but the card one is a joke. Anyhow I was convicted and whent to prison for 19 months. I payed my debt to society and got out and off parole. Found a job and worked for 8 months till a background check got me fired cause I lied on the app, was the only way I could get a job. Now for two years I have been looking for work and being honest on my apps and never here from any employer. I have ben to college and even an aeronautical school have plenty of education but that doesnt seem to mean a thing. Recently I went to a company here in my town called Chemtool and the guy who hires was very nice and seemed like he wanted to hire, meso I filled out the application and I never heard from him again. Seems like a discrimination to me. But under the EOE they state nothing about Convictions, in other words that is the one thing that you can be discriminated aginst, not race, color, religion ect but felon convictions yes.
So I keep trying Last one was swift I have a class A licence and all my endorsements I can drive a missle across the United states. I can haul gas drive doubles but no one will hire me casue I have a hit and run. SO I thought I would try swift Transportaion filled out there little aplication was as honest as I could be , you have to. And nothin. At least call a guy back and tell him hes a no good criminal and that you dont want to hire him casue of whatever at least there would be some closer, that would be nice.
So here I am still no job and its been a little over 2 years, I survive buy living with my mother and selling stuff on ebay and a little welfare, Sad thing is welfare wont help me find a job casue I have a drug conviction another joke in society. I havent seen any drugs in 7 years but I have a drug conviction So I'm uneligable for CAlworks a program that helps someone find work that is on welfare. No wonder society is all screwed up and criminals keep going back to jail. give them jobs and there would be a lot less crime.
So what does a convicted felon do to get a job. I have to survive I cant live off my mother forever and nor do I want to. Very demining here it has been 5 years sice I payed my debt to society and I'm still being punished for it.

Let me answer this:

People don't hire felons because

"A) Felons cannot be trusted "

** so let's get this straight - all felons can't be trusted? that sounds like a little cognitive distortion going on their - Labeling a group instead of behavior from individuals - do you have a name of someone?

"B) Other applicants are not felons, and thus more attractive to employers"

** that is obvious, but how come they know about personal past life? My past does not define whom I am today, it is human error to think it does.

** Think about this: Did you make a decision in the last year you wish you never made? Do you think that decision has any business in the workplace if it does not involve them?

"C) Non-felons do not want to consort with felons"

** another assumption I see, actually I think you will find plenty of people without felonies involved in the life's of people with felonies.. and WOW .. some even marry them..

Amazing !!!

Why would they even know you are a felon. Are felons wearing signs on their backs? Do all felons dress and act alike. People without felonies must act and dress a like than?

How can you call it discrimination to judge someone on the basis of a criminal conviction? What better way to judge character is there?

** To Judge -,, Hmm.. another coginitive distortion usually without facts.

Whom am I today, not yesterday, and gee whom will I be tomorrow doesn't really matter because all you have is today.

** On Applications - They don't usually ask people what they do with their time. They don't inquire if you have sex with this person how often, shop this store, whom you associate with etc..

Why should they ask about a criminal history. Obviously you have completed your sentence or you wouldn't be there filling out the application?

Address - Walla Walla State Pen..lol..

10% of the population now has a felony, if you want that number to increase, keep thinking like you are thinking and I promise you - it will continue to grow. You're ignorant. OF a system that is deisgned for failure instead of help to make life better for all.

From Crime to Community:

“We could treat crime as an opportunity to engage the uniqueness of offenders in ways that help them, their families and their communities develop their different-ness. We could use it as an opportunity to engage the uniqueness of victims in their journeys to recover their lives. And we could use crime to help communities respond to the differences within them in ways that strengthen instead of divide.”

“In circles, participants explore these constructive responses to crime by asking: How can we help an offender transform his or her negative energy into positive energy? How can we help a victim transform suffering into meaning? And how can we engage all circle members in “the patient pursuit of personal excellence in ways that encourage the differences in our companions along the way?”

"And of course, some innocent people or quasi-innocent people will wind up with felonies, as no system is perfect, and that is unfortunate. However, most felons deserve the price they pay"

Comments :" Most felons deserve the price they pay. " * This bothers me, because most of the time, we make assumptions on what took place, we never really know, The only people that really know are the people involved. This is the drawback to a legal system that was defined on principles of Rome. Believe it or not - not much as changed from the Roman years.

** You would be surprised in some areas what constitutes felonies, like previously stated until it happens to you, than eyes become open. Our system is far from perfect and the more we ignore what is happening in our system today, the worse it will get.

Like in my article - one the sentence is complete - the punishment now begins.. For some reason I don't think the system was designed to operate that way.

Troy*

You're right, the punishment isn't over when a person gets out of jail or prison. You're also right that that can create more problems since ex-cons might be tempted to turn to theft or robbery in an attempt to live if they can't find a job.

However, to be perfectly honest, I can understand why most employers would not want to hire an ex-con. Few people leave jail or prison completely rehabilitated. It's difficult to tell who will re-offend and who won't, so sometimes they just don't want to risk hiring the guy in the first place.

Do you have any skills? Often times people, around where I live anyway, who own things like smaller construction or painting companies will either hire ex-cons or won't even do a real application process to begin with.

Tell me about it, I'm a woman, and I have lied everytime I get employment. Sometimes I just don't answer the question. There's been times that I have, and nothing. I have no parents, they passed away, it's just me, and it's been over 7 years since the 13 months I served in prison for forgery. It's a big joke, the government knows once you're released, you may come back, because you won't be able to support yourself. I've gotten apartment after apartment, because, like you said once they find out, it's over. I worked for a car dealership, and the General Manager knew my back ground, and he told everybody there, and started making little comments asking me if I like the police? I knew why he was saying it, but why was it necessary. What he didn't know is I dated a peace officer for 10 yrs, he took care of me while I was in prison, and he provided a car for me for 2 yrs when I came home, so people say things but they really don't know you. I thought to myself, how ignorant is he? But you pay for your crime for the rest of your life.

Hi... I'm in Florida and I'm going through the same issue of not being able to find a job because of my record. I found a company called Expungement Assistance Services that can/will help you. Their website is: http://www.removeit.org You should check'em out.

Cedric

You never really get rid of a felony even if you get your records expunged or the felony reduced. Lets not even talk about a pardon, those only work for crooked politicians. In this country the only way things change is through the law!! Yes through the very system that advocated putting you away physically for said time and than made you invisible to society once released. The sad thing is crime is big business and the big money generated by it is not from “criminal” activity per say, but by the long list of the different sectors of the economy that keep the wheels of justice cranking. So I don’t think anyone is going to take on changing the status quo any time soon. It looks like we will continue to be invisible until a brave soul takes on the challenge to make a change. Any takers? I sometimes feel there is no hope for me to live a normal life in this country, yet I love it so much I can’t imagine living anywhere else but reality hits home on a daily basis, I am a single mother of one child, how do I continue lying to my self that I can make it here and watch us slowing end up on the streets. I just finished school thinking this would give me a leg up. It has not. There are many jobs already because of my gender that are closed to me (EOE) can kiss my @$$. And of course as a felon many more doors have closed before I even attempted to open them.
Sometimes I feel like a wounded dog writhing in pain on the ground, yes it hurts, yes I take responsibility so Please master stop the trashing LET ME GET UP! For the love of god let me get up! And release me from this ball and chain.

Well its the same in Louisiana also. I was arrested on sept. 26 and pleaded guilty on march 5 this year got probation and restitution,was allowed to keep my nurse aide license, but can't find a employer that will hire me,thought I had a break when on my backf=ground check it says I have been arrested but not convicted but wth 6 cts forgery and 6 cts conspiracy, and a l;etter from the DA stating yes she was arrested and we tried to charge her with this but she was not convicted of these charges, I still ca't find a job in any industry I have 3 kids and no help the employment office here is a joke the workers in there know less than I do> And Honesty is not the best policy! Any body with real helpful advice for some one in La please feel free to submit!

to assweetaswine you r a beauiful woman who unfortunately is being dealt a dirthy hand , but you must stay strong.I'm in ny and I was convicted in 04, and senteced to 5yrs probation, I lost my job of 6yrs in june 07, and since then its been rough as hell, no one is wilng to hire me . I refuse to give up and I suggest you not give up either

You know what it's such a shame because we want to do better, and be better people but how can we when our past is tatooed on us for life. I got 1 yr probation, for fraudelent credit of $700.00 because it was over 500 its a felony. I don't do drugs,never got in trouble before and want so bad to prove that it was all a mistake and I the more I read I feel like just sticking my head in a oven and turning it on. It was christmas and I got screwd for my pay so I took the credit card, stupid I know. Now from what I read, I can't go to school, cause whats the point if no one will hire me, and I can't use my dynamite interviewing skills cause they will run a check, and I won't be able to get a house or an apartment. So they have there answere why people keep commiting crimes. How can we better ourselves if they won't allow us too? however, if I was on drugs or did drugs, then mabye I could of gotten a diversion. whatever

You know what it's such a shame because we want to do better, and be better people but how can we when our past is tatooed on us for life. I got 1 yr probation, for fraudelent credit of $700.00 because it was over 500 its a felony. I don't do drugs,never got in trouble before and want so bad to prove that it was all a mistake and I the more I read I feel like just sticking my head in a oven and turning it on. It was christmas and I got screwd for my pay so I took the credit card, stupid I know. Now from what I read, I can't go to school, cause whats the point if no one will hire me, and I can't use my dynamite interviewing skills cause they will run a check, and I won't be able to get a house or an apartment. So they have there answere why people keep commiting crimes. How can we better ourselves if they won't allow us too? however, if I was on drugs or did drugs, then mabye I could of gotten a diversion. whatever

I'm in the same boat Pattyman. I now live with my mom and stepdad, very stressful, and I can't get a job to save my life. Or it seems that way at the moment. I have a class A CDL but was suspended by KS a couple months ago. I actually love driving the rigs but over time living in that rig nonstop sucks. I partly did it because it seemed neat but also because of my felonies, from a looong time ago, keep me from getting a good job. I'm considering applying for financial help but don't have a clue how to do it in VA. Even though I was tired of living in the rigs all the time, at least I made money and was doing good. I have to admit, that it's my own damn fault for getting my CDL suspended. I think unfairly, but I played a part and allowing. Now I'm trying to get a job installing cable/internet as a subcontractor. The cable companies won't hire me directly because of the felonies.

Yes it's very bad when you foul up. I still have my Class A CDL. but no trucking compaies will hire me becasue of the Hit and run on the record. I'm to high a risk for there insurance compaines.
Since posting my plight, I have tried several different means of work mainly all self employment ventures and all have been a complete failure. Still living with mom but she is in her 70's now and depends on me for a lot of stuff which is fine.
Just wish employers wouldnt be so hard nosed about a person with felionies. its been 5 years now since I got in trouble and would think there would be a statute of limitations.
One thing I have not seen yet is someone on youtube present the presidential candidates with the question about convicted felons being able to find work. I mean what president is going to implement some type of programs to help people with convictions find employment. I may present this on youtube presidential candidates questions and maybe they will present it to them I would like to here what they have to say, of course politicians will say anything to get to be president. Then after there, there they do what they want, so it probably wouldnt make any difference but worth a try just like anything else
How about changing that EOE (Equal oppurtunity for Employment) to read in there that they cannot discriminate against you for being a convicted felon. Well the new year is almost here going to try a employment work shop in January maybe I will get out of my rut.
To all of you out there with this plight I wish you all the best of luck in all your ventures and a merry Chistmas and A happier New Year.

One thing for sure is that our government doesn't care about us. I do know the prison system is a very lucrative business but my god! I sometimes feel like I've been forgotten by the world. When I pop up to apply for a job, they just remind me I don't matter. Can be pretty disheartening. My convictions were in 1992 and I'm still turned down for jobs due to having felonies. what the f*ck?
Pattyman, before too long you will be able to join a trucking company. Each has their own hiring rules and time frames, but I know some are pretty easy going. Swift would be a good starting point, I started there and not bad, just find out exactly how many years have to pass. They hire felons. USA Trucking maybe one of the easiest to join. I know drivers with major accidents and lists of serious tickets and they were the only company that would hire them. I've heard bad things about them, but I've heard bad about all companies. You want to talk to them. Just a thought.
Well, coming this next week I have an interview for a cable company to see if they will let me sub-contract "piecework" for them on Monday and calling back a car dealership today, to set up an interview for next week I'm guessing. Paid training and odds are don't care about my record.
PM, I get my cdl reinstated September 5th 2008, but now I've got a bad smear on my driving record. I guess I might as well explain it. I got caught or woke up, more like, by a trooper in a rest area. He told me I can't park there any longer and they were doing random dot inspections. My log book wasn't updated but I do so after getting up usually and before driving. So he has me do all the lights, etc. Well, I had drank beer that night and when he had me sit in the cruiser to write me up tickets he smelled it. Then looked in my cooler and found beer. He gave breathalyzer and I had .043. Since the truck was running (usually was all the time) and you're not suppose to drink in a commercial vehicle, or have beer in it, they have a one year administrative suspension.
So, I lost my job, or had to quit basically, and now stuck with nothing and having problems getting anything. I'm not sure exactly why, but it seems harder each time I go through this.
I really do feel all of your frustrations and sympathize. I've been on this road for 15 years. Even not getting in trouble ever again except one DUI 13 years ago, I'm labeled for life. I'm not saying I condone robbing a bank, but let's say if someone did.. I understand.

I understand perfectly. I'm a 26 year old female. I have an aggravated assault charge that happened in 2002 of November. I wasn't convicted until May of 2006 because the state had picked my case up. What employers fail to realize is what was the cause of the charge. I was being physically abused by my ex-boyfriend. To avoid being beaten and strangled to death I grabbed the nearest object in arms reach. I struck him across the head several times to get away. Mind you he's was athletically muscular built, 6'0, 210lbs. I was and still is 5'10, 153lbs, athletically built. What was I suppose to do in that situation? Let him beat and strangle me to death? or fight for my life? Well it caused me to go to jail for 3days, lose my home, 4yrs probation and I had to serve 6months of anger management classes. I can't get a good paying job because I have a criminal background. It's not fair to me because they won't even interview to ask about the reason for the charge. I have to settle for less and I can't. I'm going to school hoping it would help by the time I graduate and get off of probation. Employers look at you and wonder if you'll attack another employee. But yet it states on applications that the conviction will not necessarily keep you getting hired. Yeah right! So trust me I understand. It is extremely unfair. Felons get out trying to do what's right in the eyes of God and society. The more they try, the more they get turned down, and forced back into the life of crime! All they can say is...AT LEAST I TRIED!

I'm sorry, but I don't understand. I am a 27 year old male who is also a convicted felon. I have been clean from drugs for 1 year and things couldn't be better. It's all about how you talk to people. I mean, you say that you are educated, but take a minute and read back through your story. There are so many mispellings, it's as though a third-grader wrote it! You should consider going back to school to educate yourself further. This will also give you the opportunity to communicate with others who are making progress in their lives. Another suggestion is to regularly attend AA meetings. I have found that there are many successful people in the program who are willing to help out. You have to realize that, as convicted felons, we are automatically outcast from certain positions in life. Unfortunately, this is fair discrimination. But once we get our foot in the door, as long as we do what we are supposed to and show up everyday, hard work cannot be denied. Good luck with things, and keep your head up.

Not so. I have a college degree in pharmacy but cannot find work. I am a convicted felon because of Ebay. I sold a computer to a guy who paid me with a counterfeit cashier's check. The police arrested me and told me I would go to prison for 13 years, if I took the plea I would get 3 year probation. You do the math. I took the plea because I was scared and could not afford F. Lee Bailey to get the charge thrown out. Every application asks if you have ever been convicted of a crime or felony. Even Wendy's won't hire felons anymore. I am able to keep my state license but no employers will hire me. I am engaged to be married to a girl who knows the truth about the U.S. Government and the corrupt legal system. But if I cannot ever find work, how can I hope to have a good marriage and raise a family. We want children after we're married. Laws need to be changed. In Florida, the public lumps you in with child molesters, sex preditors, and rapists. When I tell a prospective employer what happened, they just look at me in disbelief and say that is so unbelievable. But they still don't believe me. They think I am hiding more parts of it. Where will it all end?

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no one wants to give you work because thay need poeple like us to work low paying jobs to keep the rich rich.I to am a felon with a class a cdl that dont mater your best bet is to try to save some money an get your own truck and your dot# will be like your ss# or finn a owner opp who needs a driver. truth is were doom!one fu*k and thats it.but kip your head up thay cant danie us foe ever. (Jersey Ed)

Because society won't give them a chance. I have a son who 7 years ago pled to recvg stolen property, joke (he was in the car) theft (joke), he was waiting outside for his friend to come out of the store. His friend got prison, my son got probation. He violated his probation so they figured since he drank and smoked weed, they put him in a correctional rehabilitation facility. He did 10 months. He got out free and clear. Ever since then he has had only menial jobs in fast food. He knows how to work in fast food, warehouse and any other job that can come his way. The only thing is that he doesn't have a license. They suspended them. He can now get them back, but as far as finding a decent job, no chance. He worked for this temp agency that found jobs for convicted felons, they put him in the freezer to work. A job that no one else would want. Then they were done with him. Now you see, society doesn't want felons to work because if they all could get jobs, then there would be nothing for the govt and society to complain about, the system would be too perfect. I wish that I could start a company that could help get felons a job because I would not have a problem helping people (felons/ex cons) themselves get that 2nd chance that they so deserve since noone in society or the govt would help them
(Las Vegas REA)

I believe that people who feel strongly about this issue need to band together and lobby our congressmen the EEOC senators, lobbyists anyone who can start a movement in washington so a law can be passed to make it discrimintory to deny an ex felon a job or a place to live for that matter.

Here’s a letter I sent to the EEOC

There are so many ex felons that have paid their debt to society in the form of imprisonment that are being discriminated against getting a job, that it has become an epidemic. I think its time for the government to step in and do something and fast. I would like to be involved in seeing laws passed where it would be illegal to discriminate against any one with any criminal background as far as getting a job. It would seem to me that if society hands down a sentence to an individual to pay back society for the wrong they did, by doing time behind bars, that once that time has been completed then that’s it. We know that with out a job and at least a weekly paycheck you cannot survive, with out getting back into some kind of criminal activity. It is inhumane to deprive some one of the basic right to legally earn a living and feed oneself and or family. If society thinks that an ex felon is so bad that he is not fit to work and put food on the table, then keep him or her behind bars, and let the tax payers feed him. But do not send them back into society with out this basic protection. It is gravely needed, and at this point only the government can help stop this blatant act.

I am going through the same thing I was convicted of larceny 3 conspiracy to committ credit card theft I took this bogus charge my girlfriend stole a credit card number from my job which I dealt with 100 of numbers a day but one was missing off my desk when she came to visit me now I know it looked bad but I even told I think she had took it well she flip it around and said I gave her a number to help her out in a finacial problem all lies!! but It was my word against hers anyway I took the charge with 2 years propbation now I can't find a job its been so far 4 months and I am so lost right now and like you said state is not trying to help no one who has any type of felony or convictions well it depend wow this is crazy!!

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news to all of you but I am still dealing with this issue after 25 years after I was convicted of possession of stolen property, while I was doing my job driving a wrecker. Yes, I said 25 years ago. I have applied for jobs over the years and I've tried lying on the applications and also telling the truth. It doesn't seem to matter either way. They will find out sooner or later.

To add insult to my injury I am 55 years old and who wants to hire an old fart white guy with gray hair plus the LARGE fact that I am a felon. Just because it was 25 years ago does not matter. For some reason our society has become severe hypocrites. You and I both know there are twice as many people that didn't get caught as the ones that did. I'm sure they are some of our biggest enemies.

Folks there is no good reason to cry about our plight. We just have to move forward and do whatever we can to make a living for ourselves. Until the laws are changed and we get the right to work we will live on the edge of society. So much for the BAD news.

Now for the GOOD news. You might be wondering how this guy has been able to make a living and raise a family for the past 2 and half decades? Well I owe it in great part to a loving and supportive wife who has given up much of her own freedom to help me through this all. We've been able to raise three well adjusted kids who have all graduated from college and have jobs of their own. What can I say? I have been blessed with people who have heard my story and have been willing to give me a chance. But most of all I've been blessed to with a faith that has carried me through this.

I know I might lose more of you at this point, but if you believe in the God of the Bible you must learn to trust Him fully with your life. Even I had not had to deal with my felony all these years I still would have needed a guide to lead me through the hard times of life. There are many other hard things to deal with in life and without a guide we will certainly lose our way and get lost.

Hopefully something I've said here will encourage you guys and ladies out there that struggle with each new day. There is hope. Please search for it and you will find it. It will bring you peace, happiness and eventually joy.
I also realized about 10 years ago that the only way I could possibly make it financially was to start my own business. And I know that I will loose some of you here because you will say things like "I have no money to start a business" or "I just don't know how to go about being in business for myself". Well let me tell you I didn't either. But I had dreams and needs and desires that needed to be met. There is a quote from long ago that says "necessity is the mother of invention". I have found that to be true. If you need and want it bad enough you will learn whatever you need to learn to make things happen.