Howdyall:

I have a friend who will be released from a Florida prison after serving about 5 years on a sex offense. (Statutory rape, which occurred when he was 15 years old, after consensual sex - she said yes - with his 14 year old girlfriend. Yeah, they go after minors in FL.)

I know that the world is hostile to ex-offenders, especially someone who, like him, are also sex offenders, and have to register.

I want to offer him encouragement, but also be realistic.

I would appreciate anyone sharing what your first jobs were after release, and what you've done since. Have you been able to find satisfying work? Has college helped you or anyone else in your situation?

Bless you, all of you.

abner

Can I jump on the end of that train and say that I am also wondering how hard you found it to find a job and also, how long did it take you to get your first job. Can you also let us know what you were incarcerated for? I'm wondering is it more difficult for those convicted of certain crimes to get a job than others. Any words on this subject are greatly appreciated.

In 1996 I was released to Tyler, Texas after 6 years in TDCJ. I took a job paying $7 an hour clearing brush in spite of my training in A/C work. The owner of the company like my work so much he offered me a RV technician position @ $14 an hour. His techs were making $20, but he pointed out I was newly released. Needless to say I worked my rear off and was soon making the same scale as everyone else. 6 months I say. I returned to TDCJ on a technical parole violation in 2002, and was released last week again.This time to Houston, Tx. I enrolled with Project RIO at the WorkSource (un-employment office) Center. Today I set up an interview for next Tuesday at the Marriott offering $15 an hour as an A/C Tech with benefits. I will let you know how that turns out, but my point is that there are jobs, and we have to humble ourselves at times and work even though we feel like we're worth more. God is good, and with patience life begins to grow everyday. Oh yeah, my original crime was robbery.

Adner, it depends on the working background (skills) your friend has. Being young, most likely they are very limited.


Depending on his interest and abilities, a trade school might be the answer? But, to find a Government program these days, to pick up the cost is a factor.

One field that doesn't have much of a problem with ex-con's is the oil field. They want people that can and will work as a roust-a-bout (gut labor) but can work up. Most start out working for a sub-contractor as I did and never hired on with an oil company. I just worked for whomever had something going until years later, pushed (working foreman) a gang on installation/repair jobs.

One thing he doesn't want known in the oil field is the fact he is an S/O . The mentality there isn't any different then in prison! Depending on his PO how this can be worked out. Being on parole isn't so much the factor.
B-Ray