We really, as a society, need to rework how we reintegrate cons of all ages into our society.
This is OT but it's really not.
So many people go to jail, get out and go back. We read about it all the time here. SSs who go to jail. BMs who go to jail. I remember one poster whose own son had a criminal record.
So many of these sks will make criminal records of their own. We need to have more support systems out there so inmates of all ages, including juveniles, can have support in trying to rebuild their lives.
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I agree. The problem is, a
I agree. The problem is, a criminal conviction is a black mark FOREVER on a person.
My FDH is a convicted felon. He committed a non-violent crime many years ago, got caught, and will forever be viewed by the system as a felon.
But he is also a man who has not gotten into any other trouble in many years. He has held a full time job at the same company for 18 years. He has risen through the ranks and is now high on the management chain. He is well respected, a homeowner, a good father to his children, an amazing partner, a volunteer in our community, etc, etc.
But he will always be a felon. And it impacts his life every day. He is afraid to pursue an even better job because of his felony. He is ineligible for certain types of student aid, if he wanted to better himself with higher education, because of his felony. It makes me sad for him.
By the way I think that is
By the way I think that is awesome for your DH. I only hope my SO gets to place where he can be content, it gives me hope stories like yours.
Good on fdh for turning his
Good on fdh for turning his life around. I take my hat off to him.
I think it should depend on what the felony is in terms of how long it follows the person. It should also depend on the life the person lives once the punishment period is over. Ie I read something months ago about how a guy committed a robbery years ago and was recently caught but had lead a good life as a husband, dad and hard worker. So the judge let him go. I agreed with that judge.
However, if someone died because of the felony, ie a hit and run, or first degree murder, that should follow a person for life. As should animal abuse crimes.
I don't know, but I do feel
I don't know, but I do feel that people like my FDH, who have lived a clean life but for one instance, should have more opportunities to have that black mark cleared from their records. I don't necessarily feel that should be the case for violent crimes, though.
They can get the education
They can get the education but can't get a job so it's a wasted education.
No maybe we should punishing
No maybe we should punishing non violent, petty criminals from getting good jobs. Please if you've never been in the system or know someone who has don't make assumptions or remarks like "poor criminals"
First off, I never poo-poo on
First off, I never poo-poo on it I said people DO NOT like to hire felons, so if we as tax payers are going to invest in the rehabilitation of these men and women then employers should give them a chance.
yes society and employers are stopping them from getting a good job and by good job I mean something that allows all your living expenses met. My SO works hard everyday for shitty pay and has and continues to look for better paying jobs and while he is qualified for the his felony conviction ALWAYS gets him denied.
You have a better chance of getting a decent paying job them someone with a felony record so yes his past criminal record is the only reason he can't get a better paying job. And talk about ignorant NO he doesn't deserve more then someone else he deserves a FAIR chance. Your EXAMPLE is a one in a million case and least in the region in the US I live in.
I would like a "good job" too, so I guess it really is all relative. And imagine that! I have never been in prison. Why can't I have what I want.
^^^^ you said it yourself, you've never been in prison^^^^
You are so missing the point.
You are so missing the point. Yes a petty drug offender should not be thrown into the same category and the low life that robbed you. Once again I am not saying I am saying special treatment i am saying depending on the severity of your crime you should be given a fair chance. My SO has a college education and because he had a rough time turned to drugs and got caught with a CDS and because of the quantity it was considered intent to distribute, He is now treated with Pueblo Escaubar (spelling). And can no longer go back into his field of employment.
Just so we are clear my SO never victimized anyone, or hurt anyone but himself.
No I am not saying had you gone to prison you would deserve the job you want. I am saying you have a better chance at getting it then someone who has a felony record.
OH decent paying, didn't I already DEFINE. enough to pay CS, contribute to household expenses and have some change in your pocket.
Your comparison to a low life who robbed you at the airport at 1am to my SO or any other petty offender is just ignorant.
OMG you are just ignorant I
OMG you are just ignorant I have no time to even entertain your holier then now attitude.
I know. Heck, people like
I know. Heck, people like Patricia Krenwinkel, Susan Atkins and Tex Watson have been treated well in prison here in CA. Tex even became a minister.
Now excuse me while I go back
Now excuse me while I go back to the so-so paying job "poor me"
Yes I agree it is possible
Yes I agree it is possible and it is hard work. What I am trying to say is if we as society and employers give these petty offenders more of a chance less would go back to crime, shit where I live you can't even get a job at Home Depot with a felony record. So even the lower paying jibs aren't being given to someone who is trying to rebuild there life. I am going to assume that this also depends on what part of the country you are from.
In my talks yesterday with my
In my talks yesterday with my Dad and what "prospects" are out there for my SS, I joked that the only job I see SS having is garbage collection. My Dad said "So you think!" and he showed me an article that made my jaw drop. A waste management company, that specializes in clearing out/cleaning/sanitizing rental dumpters do not hire anyone in their crew that has anything less than a COLLEGE DEGREE!!! I was floored. People with college degrees cleaning dumpsters!?!? They pay is good, and granted the work is a bit specialized but, A COLLEGE DEGREE FOR CLEANING UP GARBAGE?
I believe that the labor market as a whole is becoming more demanding and the job prospects are becoming fewer and fewer, let alone for ex-cons,...
I don't know. I am perhaps
I don't know. I am perhaps blinded to this because I know my FDH, and I feel that his life should be judged by the man he became, and the contributions he has made to society in the almost 20 years he has spent as a productive member, rather than one foolish teenaged moment.
Not to mention the expenses
Not to mention the expenses taxpayers pay of the court system.
I have 2 felons in my family
I have 2 felons in my family - on my dh's side. I think for the non violent offenders, if they can be productive citizens without getting into trouble for lets say 5+ years, they should be able to have the felony expunged from their records so they can go out and earn a living and not be on the welfare roles because they can't land a job. They need to work to support themselves again! I also believe in jail terms but I think that for non violent drug offenses it should be more like a rehab institution. Just sitting in regular prison doing time doesn't do them any good - many prisons have drugs there. And for all non violent offenders, after serving some type of time in jail, they should also have to do community services that benefit the towns they live in - for the long term. Perhaps speaking to young people about their crimes in hopes some will get it and not go down the same path. Also simple things like picking up trash on the roads, cleaning the municiple offices, working in the soup kitchens, donating time at youth community events, etc.
I know it is a tough economy out there but having ex cons not even having a chance to find a job, it will become more of a burden on the tax payers.
Violent offenders - lock them up! Murderers - death penalty. And stop with the dragging on with court cases - swift punishment!
Maybe not but we have a
Maybe not but we have a homeless shelter in our town - a nice one. Many kids there. Maybe if someone has sobered up from drugs, could go there and explain what happened to them while on drugs. But to be honest, I do not think SS24 is ready to become sober yet - even w/ prison, he hasn't hit rock bottom.
My boss will give anyone a
My boss will give anyone a job who is willing to work. We have had registered sex offenders, convicted murderers, and people who are not allowed to drive due to DUI work for us. Just yesterday one of them didn't show up for his $51.77 an hour job because he was back in jail. That's completely on the person in jail, not my boss who gave him the opportunity to work a good job.
Governors can, but not all
Governors can, but not all will. Ours is "tough on crime" so unless he loses the next election it'll be another 4 years before FDH can even think about it.