I was wondering what types of jobs they are allowed to do?
Not allowed?

Well, I don't really know, but I would expect they would be eligible for any employment that would hire someone with a felony conviction. I don't think there would be any specific restrictions like there might be with, say, a sexual offense conviction. The only thing I can think of offhand is something that would be working with weapons - i.e., one of those places where one learns to shoot and practices shooting firearms or something - but I imagine those places would not hire anyone with a felony conviction anyway, no matter what the offense was. The main thing will be finding an employer who doesn't automatically say "no" to people that have had to check the box that say yes, they've been convicted of a felony...

Shawn has a lot of experience in the construction field, especially in concrete....He was always able to find a job, and he's been a felon since his teens. When he was in the Missouri system, he had a boss that was willing to re-hire him after several bids.

Hopefully, he will be as lucky when he gets out this time.

Susan in Providence

can you get a job in construction never having done it,and how?

Construction companies are always hiring laborers with no experience as long as you are strong enough to do the job. I take it this is probably not a problem for your husband. You get hired at the bottom of the pay scale usually. No experience and being a felon, well, it would probably be easier if you "knew" someone. Construction is the one job that you can move up in, if you work hard and learn fast.

It is hard t get a job after after being released with a violent charge. I was an insurance agent for 20 years and shot an ex-boyfriend who was attacking me, not only did i lose my career, but after prison no one wanted to hire me. I had always done customer service work and with an aggravated assault charge, it didn't look good on paper. After checking with DES I found that most of the jobs available for these type of crimes were available for men - construction, automotive, etc. So, yes - it is available, it's just hard. I ended up taking a minimum wage job thru a temp agency and worked my way up from there and am now doing good. Good luck to you and your partner!!!
Cherry

Glad things worked out for you Magix!

This is something that he and I both worry about he more so then me because I don't care where he works as long as he works but he doesn't want to deliver pizza or work at mcdonalds which he seems to think are his only options!

I found a few weblinks that help parolees in Ca and some of them seem to be legit with training and helping to find work so hopefully when he is home he will try those.

hey, thanks...he has just mentioned working in construction, carpentry, or something manual, maybe go to school when he gets home for vocational training and then he wants to finish college. He has some carpentry training already from inside as well as being a counselor for 5 years.

P.S. Nyyankee, how do you know my husband is strong? did I mention that somewhere? well, he is pretty big but how did you know that?

Hello. My fiance is a VO. He was released to a halfway house about a month ago and has applied for several jobs and was turned down because their insurance would not cover him. He FINALLY got a job and started it this past Monday and he suprisingly is making ten bucks an hour. It's a company called Xentell and it's phone work. Not the kind of job he wanted but he had to take what he could get. Now that he started working he should be out of the halfway house and home within 3 weeks to a month. So yeah, it is harder for a VO to get a job but from what I hear, construction companies will always hire them, factory and laborer jobs too.

What about NON-construction jobs. Mine doesn't want to go back to that because he wants to stay away from alcohol. Besides, he's been learning new skills in prison this time and seems like he'd have a chance to get his foot in the door somewhere else, God willing.

Violent offenders can't work at professions that involve taking care of people either, such as working with the handicapped or elderly.

My husband is interested in Carpentry the most, and maybe metal welding work, building, installing...he can install cabinets etc etc...
also, he would like to tutor in Math or teach like GED classes, or maybe be a Drug Abuse Counselor, (CASAC) He has experience in counseling and anger mgmt too.

Maybe he can work for Verizon my local phone company...I wonder.
thanks to all.

VO can get work as substance abuse counselors but they need to get certified which requires schooling and passing state tests.... It takes a few years and the pay SUCKS!!!

Yes, I know...we have done a lot research on things and he knows what will make him money, but he does want to do other things to help people. but he does love carpentry, and he is so good at it...

My boyfriend has been out since Thanksgiving '03 and has had 2 jobs. The first one was at a greenhouse and the one he has now is doing construction through 'labor ready'. He did 4 yrs and maxed out. He works very hard every day, is never late and loves the hard manual labor. His 'boss' (who also has felonies) at the site has been asking about what his time was for and we think within a couple of weeks they may want him on as a regular employee. :)
It's been kinda hard the last 8 months dealing with jobs and people turning him down, but with him working steady right now, it helps and I know it makes him feel good too, not only with his self esteem, but to be able to contribute around here too.

that is really good news for your family, and good to hear for me too!
best to you both!
----
what I am looking to find out is, will Unions allow a VO to be a member,like Steel Worker and Carpenter and Contruction Unions?
:idea:

I guess there is no answer to this one? more research then!

My hunny wants to open his own barber shop.. he has his barber certificate now, and he said he would enjoy doing that.. I'm not sure how much money would be in it, but I support him.. he also wants to be a counselor for kids people have given up on.. he said he doesn't want them to turn out like him.. I told him there's no money in it.. so he said he may settle for just being a mentor... I know there are lots of warehouses down on the docks in Portland that hire felons.. my uncle works for a company and he got my cousin hired right out of prison.. he has a job waiting for Mr. Dough when he comes home too.. that is a blessing!!! but My Hunny said he only wants to to do that until he can do what he really wants.. lol..

Mrs.G, I'm not sure about the Unions question.. I'm kind of curious too, if you find out anything.. will you let us know!!!!!

TeRe

My man is very lucky. His brother owns his own siding business and will give him a job when he comes out.

Doughsgirl, the barber who cuts my sons hair is a convicted felon, and he has a thriving business! He owns a shop next to a marine base and gets all the business he can handle. You could get a business loan in your name, and the financial opportunities for females wanting to open a business are excellent!
Also, landscape is another area to look into if your man is interested. Good thing about landscape is the opportunity to own your own business...clients don't reqiure an application for bids, just your bid.
I worry about Waa because he has always been in business management, but that is out b/c they have said "No handling or managing money'!! :eek: So, who knows. He may have to work with my family at their mariner until he can find something he feels he is more suited for.

You know the Dock manager at the department store I work with said he'd be able to hire my fiance even with a violent offense felony on his record, but the pay is 6.95 an hour, my mom works at a grocery store and they do hire people with felony convictions, violent or otherwise but the can only stock groceries or bag them and again its low wages. The outlet mall I worked at hired felons for grounds maintence. I have discussed the fact with my fiance he may have to take a low wage job and he doesn't seem to have it sink in and swears he can find a good paying job no problem.

As to those who are interested in Drug and alcohol counselors, you do have to go to school and take a state exam, but the program is ony around 6-9 months. You can apply for the apprenticeship program to work and go to school. They prefer people who are recovering addicts. You must have a certain amount of time of sobriety to qualify. And the pay is better than the grocery store bagger and fast food. So if your loved one is interested in something like this, check out your local Junior College, to get specifics for your area. You can call the school and speak with a counselor and find out more specifics, such as felons in the program and in the workplace.

LisaL, my hubby would love to do this work, being he does it now...but does it pay? not really, but better than a store bagger? yeah, and more rewarding as well, but he is looking into an apprenticeship in hard labor like steel worker, or carpenter in a union, hopefully ...if not he says he is gonna be a stripper LOL...we always joke about that!

I know this is an old thread and not sure if you ever did find out about the unions, but I do know that some unions will take people that are convicted felons. The Teamsters Union is definitely one that will take them and there are many electrical and plumbing unions that will take them also.

With the population having alot of convicted felons now a days, they would find it difficult if they barred them.

Hoping your hubby got the job that he wanted, with or without a union. The jobs are out there, just have to keep hitting the pavement till the right one comes along.

My best to you and yours.