What happens when people come out of prison after serving their sentence? Are they truly done serving their sentence? These days, with most employers refusing to consider those with a criminal record, people are finding themselves locked up in prison and then locked out of society. Returning Citizens end up serving a life time sentence after leaving prison. I know this is true because I am a Returning Citizen.
You see I made a mistake over thirteen years ago. I took responsibility for my mistake. I served my sentence. Well, I served the sentence the judge handed down to me. I made changes in my life while serving. I’ve been out of prison for over seven years, and crime free, but I’ve found myself locked out of both jobs and housing. I am not alone. There are many Returning Citizens like me.
I applied for over 500 jobs over the last seven years. I was even offered four or five of them. I was offered these jobs because of my education, experience and my interview. With each offer I was asked to fill out an application. I faced the background question and answered it truthfully. Each of those times I was told, “Sorry, we don’t hire ex-felons.” My crime is not related to these jobs, yet because I have a record I am locked out of society.
When people with criminal records who want to change and be a positive part of our community are shut out of the job market, it creates a cycle of despair and hopelessness that hurts the economy and public safety. Denying employment to Returning Citizens continues to punish those with a record — and their families — long after they’ve served their sentence.
Every study shows that a decent job is the best way to reconnect a person to the community and prevent future crime. Employers need to be part of building a community that is strong and safe.
That is why TakeAction Minnesota’s Justice 4 All program and Protect Minnesota are joining together on a petition telling corporate Minnesota to implement Fair Hiring practices now. Join us – add your name to the petition today.
Frank Brown
Frank Brown is a Justice 4 All Organizer with TakeAction Minnesota.
