CALL 1-800-URR-USA-JOBS

ASK FOR INFO ON THE WOTC (WORK OPPORTUNITIES TAX CREDIT) THIS GIVES AN EMPLOYER A TAX WRITE-OFF OF ABOUT $2,400 IF THEY HIRE AN EX-OFFENDER. THE FEDERAL BONDING PROGRAM OFFERS AN EMPLOYER AN INSURANCE POLICY OF ABOUT $5,000 FOR HIRING AN EX-PRISONER--THESE ARE BOTH FEDERAL LEVEL PROGRAMS-

Thanks for that information Sherri. I'll do anything I can to get Steven a job when he gets out!

This is great and will be a big help, thanks!!!!!

When My wife is released, is it hard for an ex convict to get employment?Steve&kids

good question......is it going to be hard for Monty to find a job....even if he gets certified in a trade....or gets his degree??? Do the parole people help them find a job or what??

It has a lot to do with what line of work they are looking for. If it is "professional" then some avenues may be out the door because of licensing issues. I can tell you this.. No Bank Jobs, Security (in most cases), etc.. But, there are lots of City jobs that hire felons.. Not usually the Mayor's office but public works, and the like..
I was surprised at some of the jobs guys in the half-way house nailed down. One of them was working as a contractor at the Nations Bank building in Houston. He started doing fire alarm control systems but worked his way up in security..
It all depends.. Having a felony does NOT mean you can't get a good high paying job, it just makes it harder to get one by narrowing the options.

thanks for the info,Sherri

I've never had a problem getting work. Like David said it depends on your trade. It depends on what kind of work experiance you have. I had a cellie who was supposed to learn printing, they gave him a certificate etc. the only problem was they were teaching him on outdated equipment, & the certificate would be good if he was paroling in 1980. At old Folsom they have a cumputer repair training which is pretty good, so it's a hit & miss kinda thing.
The parole office I was out of had a job referal service, & I know a couple guys who got jobs from it but I don't know if they worked out or not. I also found it best to be up front about doing time. I'm not that good a liar, & I didn't want to go around just waiting for someone to find out, plus prison tattoos are pretty obvious.

That makes me wonder if it's going to be hard for EJ to find a job when he comes home.
He has told me he has his license to sell real estate, but he would have to retake the classes to get it renewed when he comes home. He will be taking business & computer courses while he is inside.
Would that be a line of work he might have a hard time nailing down for a job?

Before my husband's parole hearing last year I asked about a job for an ex-felon at the personnel office at the place where I work. I did not tell them it was for my husband, I just gave them a hypothetical situation. They said they were not adverse to hiring ex-prisoners, as long as he was honest when he interviewed about his time in prison, etc. They said they would not hold it against him and would treat him just like any other candidate for the job.

Billy has 2 years left and he's worried about his job situation. I hope that he can find a job soon after his release. It would boost his self esteem greatly.

So... what exactly can a potential employer ask in such an interview? How detailed can they get with their questions? When can someone say enough- too personal?

I THINK IN SOME SITAUTIONS IT IS PROBABLY TRUE THEY WOULD NOT HOLD IT AGAINST HIM IF HE HAD A RECORD-BUT I THINK MORE OFTEN, UNFORTUNATLEY, THEY DISCARD THE APPLICATIONS THEY HAVE "CONVICTED OF A FELONY" CHECKED AND GO TO THE NEXT ONE. I THINK IT ALSO DEPENDS ON THE JOB AND THE JOB DUTIES, THE NATURE OF THE CRIME, AND OF COURSE, THE PERSON DOING THE HIRING.

I have heard that since 9/11 many companies are now using background criminal checks a whole lot more than they did before.
Employment as a whole even for those of us like me that don't have a record is hard to get when searching for something new. Many companies "say" equal opportunity employer, but when it comes down to it, that's a bunch of BS!
I can only hope for EJ that when he comes home & he wants to get back into Real Estate that he will be able to.

DJohnson,

You should check with you state board of realtors. Many licsenced professional organizations won't certify, or license convicted felons. Also it may depend on the crime. They probably wouldn't license someone convicted of fraud, but may license someone convicted of shoplifting (petty theft). He may also have a problem getting a job where he has to be bonded. So it's hard to say, there are many variables.

Is it considered discrimination to "not hire" someone based on whther they are a convicted felon? I work now for a company in which my boss and supervisor know about what is going on. They think I am one of the best employees they have ever had and both say they wish I could be rehired after I get out, but they say that the company won't hire be back on just because I will be a felon and they do a criminal background check. Doesn't that sound discriminatory on the company's part?

IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DISCRIMINATION BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS IS BY LAW

here's another #, i don't know if it is different or the same. 1-877-us2-jobs. or web site: www.doleta.gov. this is from the departmnt of Labor. they also offer apprntice ships. i have no experience or knowledge of these sites just thought i'd share.

THANKS TIA

FYI The only way an employer can get away with using a feloney conviction against you is if your conviction is in the relm of the work you do. Exampl: If you are commited for theft then a retailer can say no, but a construction company can't and so on.

Excellent tip, Cliff! Although they can probably just come up with another excuse not to hire a person. I did some hiring and firing for a few years. I have dealt with all kinds from liars to thieves to nimwits to honest and dependable people. If someone told me straight out that they had a conviction on record I would give them points for honesty. A person without any priors wouldn't automatically win me over, either. And my line of work dealt with hands on cash every day. I think everyone has been tempted at some point. It's human nature, isn't it? I based a lot of an applicant's potential on his handshake, eye contact, clear answers to questions and if he could come up with some questions for me in return. Wether they explained a conviction on the application would have been little more than a perfunctory glance for me. But I suppose I may be in the minority on that point.

Sherri, does this apply to both federal and state inmates?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is not considered discriminatory to not hire a felon. I work in the staffing industry, and how the question is asked is "other than minor traffic violations, have you ever been convicted of a crime?" Some states have time limits, such as over 10 years, every state has different employment laws, some are federal, and this one is a federal law. It is discriminatory to not hire someone based on marital status, sex, creed, color, having children, but convictions are not considered discriminatory. Like many areas, convicts lose their rights. I wish it were different, because I worry for my husband also. I would say that 90% of the companies I do business with now require a criminal background check. Like Fed X says, options get limited. For instance, a convicted drug dealer can be denied admittance to nursing school, embezzlers can't be employed where they handle money, etc. Some companies make exception, but I would look for the ones that want to take advantage of the tax credit.

Sherri I called that number you had posted and it was a phone sex line. I didn't try the one tiamozz posted yet. But I do need help getting a job lined up for my husband. I just got his parole paper to fill out before he goes before the board again in April and that's one of the quesitons on it. Job?? So if anyone else has any numbers or ideas to share I would sure appreciate it. Thanks!

isadora- i am so sorry!! i must have copied the number down wrong- i will try and get you the right one!

Wow, I've been a member of PTO for ... hmmm, ump-teen months now, and this is the first time I've browsed the 'employment' section.
There's not a lot I can offer here, though I found this very interesting.
When I first got released from prison, I was lucky. I had a friend whose parents hired me on to run their little convenient store. I did that for a couple of years, then moved to a different area, and was left on my own to find employment. To anyone that has a felony record... fair warning. From my experience, it is very hard to find a decent job. I put in 26 applications in 4 days..... and only had 3 call backs!
Though it is hard, it's very possible. You just have to put your nose to the grind, and be determined enough to find the employment.
Just wanted to add my two cents here.

Jodygirl

An Ex-Offender helped me create the three pages of resources for those getting out on MTWT at
http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/prison/exresource.html

I hope if you have other specific contacts or ideas for them, you will send them to me at kayleeusa@yahoo.com and I'll put them on the page. Hopefully, with everyone's help, these pages will eventually be of real value.
Kay Lee

I have noticed a big change in the job market regarding felons since I became a felon in 1992. When I was first released, I tried for jobs out of my field of social work. I applied for jobs and I always told the truth on my application. I was hired by two employer's who should of never hired me because Ohio makes it in possible to do P.I. work and be a felon. The company's liked me and still gave me a chance. I worked hard to get my record expunged to try for other jobs where I assumed it was a requirement to have a clean record.
I had my record expunged in 1998 and I applied for one of those jobs where I was sure a clean record was required. I was hired and was shocked to find out half of the staff in the 150 person collection's office were felons. I got to know many of these people. Since they have left the company, They have gotten amazing jobs. I saw a man last week who I worked with who is now employed by National City Bank.
I also found out even if your records expunged they can still open your record for certain employer's who are privledged to it under the law.

I have been working with various non-profits that help exoffenders find work such as the Safer Foundation and Project Match to the Chicago Urban League...I have been introduce to the tax credits and federal bonding..and that's all good....but

but to be honest none of the programs have "spirit" to make these programs live. This are all short term fixes for a lifetime of struggle. Alot of these programs are just a dumping ground for republican(or whoever) tax writeoff money.

Programs that let you use a computer and print a resume is garbage. Homelessness is on the rise and crime is back on the rise...despite programs appearing here and there. It's not that people aren't using the few celebrated programs..it's that the intentions of these programs aren't legitmate.

Ex Offenders need marketable trades...not only to find job...but I believe moreso to create your own business. We have to be sub contractors and business owners....That's what I'm working on now. If you own your own business you don't have to worry about discriminating against yourself...you don't have to worry about background checks....so if you paint, lay bricks, program, cook or whatever...it is imperative that you focus on being an entreprenuer!

Peace

Hello
Does anyone know of any sites I can search and get information on Employment, like The Fortune Society...I wrote to them...
My boyfriend has a parole hearing in April 2004 and I want to help him with his package and make it strong! I wonder how far in advance I need to plan this.
Thanks

Jenny, you cannot start too soon to put together a plan and a package for parole. My advice is start now and keep a copy of everything. Ask for letters of support (and pictures) from family and friends, and also remember to contact members of the community (church groups, employment agencies, educational institutions, etc). It usually takes quite a while for people to respond, which is why I say to start now. Have him to put together a resume, and also a 3-year plan. This will help them see he is committed to taking control of his life and will show the steps he plans to take on becoming a better person.

As far as sites to search, your boyfriend has information available to him at the facility. Have him write to them, but also have him send you the information, along with copies of his letters and replies received. You can then follow up with them, if that is something you don't mind doing. It's a good idea for him to ask if they wouldn't mind forwarding information to him on other groups or services who may be willing to assist him in his search for support. This will help him gain additional contact information.

Good luck, Jenny. I wish you and your boyfriend all the best in your efforts.

I am sure this is probably going to sound like a stupid question -

Is it "okay" for us to actively look for jobs for them - from the perspective of the employer? How do I approach potential employers? Do I tell them I am putting applications in for my boyfriend who is currently incarcerated? Are there employers who will hire him sight unseen? Or make a commitment of some sort for the parole board?

Kim

hi gilly, thanks for your information. My boyfriend is very knowledgeable of what he has to do and he has been through this before-he had a package put together and had a parole denial.I had nothing to do with his package except for my letter of support. this time I want to be more involved.He does not have access to computors like I do and I could help him put it together. I want to put everything together and then I want to send it to the board and show we are plannng this togther, but it is important he does it, because they want to know he cares about his future. I never saw his resume or know all his skills. we both have the CPR package, I just do not know where to start, what to look for, I want to get as much information as possible:)

I wanted to thank all for the helpful phone numbers & lkinks. I am a 40 year old woman, married, no kids, no record...but only byt the Grace of God. I am coming up on 12 years of uninterrupted clean & sober time and work with many young ladies coming through halfway houses, etc. Many of them with very marketable skills, some without and of course some with records. I am researching any and all resources I can lay my hands on to provide guidance and suggestions to these ladies. Often their continued housing, day care, education, is contingent upon gainful employment with in a relatively short period of time. I write good resumes, but often recognize (I am a business owner myself) that it is difficult to exlain abscences/gaps on a resume.

I've printed off a lot of info from the links shared by others and I have one young lady in particular that I know is willing do the footwork neccessary to take care of herself, her daughter and continue in recovery. thaks much...
I agree with the young lady who quotes Margaret Mead....

I have written an extensive paper on this issue http://www.petitiononline.com/lavalle2/petition.html
and have been in contact with my state legislators to produce a bill and amend the laws that discriminate against ex-offenders.

The Proposed bill in CT can be read at http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch.asp?cmd=getdoc&DocId=24854&Index=D%3a%5cvirtual%5cdata%5czindex%5c2003&HitCount=1&hits=82+&hc=17&req=%28number+contains+6150%29&Item=16

It reads as follows:
AN ACT CONCERNING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EX-OFFENDERS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That the general statutes be amended to revise eligibility requirements for employment that currently restrict job opportunities for certain persons who have had a prior felony conviction.

Statement of Purpose:

To ensure that persons convicted of certain felonies are not precluded from ever having job opportunities.


I hope others will sign the petition and help us restore the rights of the ex-offenders while giving them a chance to produce positively in society.

http://www.hirenetwork.org/who.html

I thought it was illegal to not hire someone based on his criminal record.

Some parole officers are kind enough to direct the new parolee to sources
that will help them get employment. When my husband was orginially released
to San Diego, his parole officer sent him to a "Parolee Job Fair" that was only
for parolees no one else, and he landed a job the same day. He also got into
a school with a special fund through the state of California that paid for his
education, in carpentry. :) suzi

Suzi, that is great! I wonder, about NY, My husband would just LOVEEEEEEE a carpenter job....love love....

In NY an inmate can get training in a trade while he is in prison. My husband has been training in plumbing, but they also offer electrical, carpentry, welding, etc... different options at different facilities. Trade oriented type of work is usually easier to get with a criminal record... and a lot of these jobs pay very well.

He has taken many courses there, being that he has been there many years.

If you can help me find a job, I would appreciate it. I am ex-felon, and I cannot find a quality job. I am a transportation specialist and would like to work in this feild. Can you help me? Do you have any information?

My normal email address is: tekkain@hotmail.com
Please!

Monte Wovoka

Thanks for the info! That's great. But is that too many numbers? (1-800-URR-USA-JOBS)