Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Ending Mass Incarceration One Good Job at a Time
The number of people imprisoned in the United States has grown at "a rate five times greater than the world average." Part of the problem is that those who end up behind bars once are likely to be imprisoned again. With a crime on their record, former inmates have a harder time finding a job than others, which leads them back down a path of crime when they cannot find employment, effectively perpetuating the cycle of criminal activity. However, some steps have been taken to enable ex-convicts to find a job, such as trade programs that train inmates in trades and earn union membership for them. With marketable skills, they are better prepared to find a stable career upon release. On job applications, though, applicants are required to report any crimes they have been convicted for, which could effectively nullify any prospects they might have had. As a result, many unions support "Ban the Box" proposals. Should ex-convicts have to report their criminal past? Should this only apply to all ex-convicts or just those who have been convicted of misdemeanors? Should employers have the right to know prospective employees' backgrounds? But also, are these programs a good way to prepare former criminals for a stable working life? Or should we not offer such programs to those who have been convicted of crime?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Employers should have the right to know their employees' backgrounds, but ex-convicts deserve a second chance. So I think ex-convicts should be able to apply for a job without submitting their criminal records. If they get the job, their employer will be informed of thier past crimes, but won't be able to change his/her decision.
ReplyDeleteI do think these programs effectively prepare ex-convicts for a working life - they teach more general skills like being on time as well as skills for a specific trade.
I support the "Ban the Box" proposals. I believe that the primary objective of prison for most convicts should be preparing them for entrance back into society, especially for those convicted of nonviolent crimes. Today, prisons are not the "correctional facilities" their names suggest. While I do agree that people who commit crimes should be punished, that punishment should not continue once they are released. If convicts are not ready to enter society unmarked, don't release them. But the current system in which convicts are unable to find good jobs leads them back into prison, costing the government more money. We're quick to put people in prison because the costs are less visible, but they're actually greater.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it could possibly decrease their chance of employment, I do believe that ex-cons should be required to list their crimes on their applications. While I support a system that would effectively re-integrate reformed convicts into society, employers have a right to know the record of the individuals they hire. If you were an employer you'd want to be made aware of a potential employee's attempted murder charge or larsony charge so that you can do all you can to keep your employees and equipment safe.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFormer convicts should have to report their crimes, no matter the charge they recieved. Employers do have the right to know their employee's backgrounds in order to protect the safety of all other employees. I do believe that these programs should be supported, as well as programs while the convicts are actually in jail.
ReplyDeleteI think the “Ban the Box” programs are bringing us one step closer to the culture of incarceration in American society. While convicts should be punished, they should not be expected to suffer this punishment for the rest of their lifetime; however, employers do deserve to know about their employees backgrounds, since employers are responsible for maintaining a stable environment. This program will increase the success rate of ex-convicts returning to society, proving that these efforts are more cost effective than immediate incarceration.
ReplyDeleteI support systems as seen here that are trying to both help the number of Americans unemployed and lower the number of incarcerated. However, ex-convicts, no matter their level of crime, should have to report heir incidents. This allows the company hiring to be cautious of possible future crimes.
ReplyDeleteI believe ex-convicts should have to tell potential employers of their past crimes. Employers have to protect their other employees. I also think there should be more and better programs to help rehabilitate ex-convicts into the general public though.
ReplyDeleteEx-convicts definitely deserve the chance to redeem themselves. The main problem is to what extent should they be limited. I think some employers should have the right to know about potential employees's backgrounds-if such a past could affect job performance. The "Ban the Box" proposal seems like a great idea, but I don't think it should apply to all circumstances. More work should instead be put into increasing the support of the trade programs and helping ex-convicts to find new jobs.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think if one has solely committed a misdemeanor, he should be given another opportunity in the workforce again, without revealing a criminal past that could prevent hiring. If there is a convicted felon, I don't think it should be that easy, because felonies are felonies and the employer should know what has happened in his employee's past. I agree with Kasta in saying there should be better systems to help ex-convincted felons get a job after time served.
ReplyDelete