Ex-Felons and Employment Should employers discriminate against ex-convicts when deciding who to hire for open positions?

In the United States, there are a great number of people in the prison system. It is a very serious matter. The prisons are overcrowded and there are fewer and fewer resources available. After the prisoner's release, they are assigned a period of probation where they must prove their dedication to remaining law-abiding. During this time, there are still some resources available including halfway houses where ex-convicts on probation can live. However, part of the probationary period is proving that they have the ability to hold down a job. This can be very difficult as any employers are reluctant to hire ex-convicts. There are serious ramifications for unemployment of ex-cons. If they do not find a job, then it is likely they will return to criminal endeavors...

Or they will be unable to remain paroled because of a lack of employment and will then be returned to the prison system, likely more bitter and angry against society than before. The fact is that there are many, many people unemployed in the United States and employers need to determine whether a policy of refusing to hire ex-convicts is in the company's and the country's best interests. What would happen if employers refused to hire men and women who served time in prison? Should employers consider past felonies at all when interviewing and hiring? What are the benefits of hiring ex-convicts and what are the dangers associated with hiring them? Do the social ramifications of not hiring ex-cons outweigh the potential dangers and liability of their employment?
What are the benefits of employment to ex-convicts? In order to be paroled, an ex-convict has to get a…