Should Employers Hire Ex-Offenders

Hiring Ex-Felons

Hiring Ex-Offenders:

An Analysis of Various Viewpoints

The problem of poverty in the United States is not only devastating, but also very widespread. From big cities to small cities, from New York to Alabama, poverty statistics are startling. To make things worse, the current economic situation has raised the statistics to almost 20% in some states. That's 20% of people living below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The reason this is important to mention is because, especially in bigger cities, many of those living in poverty, and therefore many of the homeless are ex-convicts. This is because these individuals are not only at risk but have also been forgotten by society due to the fact that they were convicts. This is precisely the reason why, for the sake of safety on the streets and the sake of giving all opportunity, the government and private business must institute policies that allow the hiring of ex-convicts. It is only in this way that society can better itself, that it can move forward. This paper will thus present a variety of viewpoints, both pro and against hiring ex-offenders, and will demonstrate that hiring these people is the right thing to do.

Hiring ex-convicts is not that uncommon a practice. In fact, there are a variety of companies that already do this. They include, American Airlines, Best Western and Epson, among others. Yet the list of companies that do hire ex-felons is relatively short, when one compares this to the total number of companies out there. Furthermore, not all of these companies hire all kinds of convicts.

Some, for instance may only hire them if they had committed minor crimes. For this reason as well it is important to have a clear idea of who can be hired, if not all ex-convicts.

There are many efforts around the country as well that can help bring about hiring of ex-convicts. As recently as December 6, and article on Fox 10 TV called for the hiring of ex-felons. In this said article, the news site stated that "Farmers all across the state of Alabama say they are facing a shortage of workers, and some say it's because of the new immigration law. In a meeting Tuesday, the Alabama Agriculture Department suggested farmers hire ex-felons to help fill the void."

The website even gives contact information so that farmers can indeed call and start implementing this process, which is very helpful.

From the evidence above, it seems that much of the public is indeed interested in helping put this kind of legislation into motion. Yet what are the arguments exactly? Those who are against hiring convicts state that hiring such employers will put at risk both coworkers and consumers who must rely on these people with past criminal histories, who can at any time revert back to bad behavior. Thus, it is nearly impossible for ex-convicts to attain a job, as many laws have been enacted, in many states, that still make it very difficult for ex-offenders to obtain employment or re-employment. According to a study, "although many of these laws have been in existence for years, obstacles to ex-offenders have recently proliferated as legislators have expanded the statutory authority of noncriminal justice agencies and groups to access criminal histories for purposes of employment screening, occupational licensing, and certifications."

Those who argue the pro-side, however, state that these kinds of "what ifs," as above, present a pessimistic view of human nature and one that is incongruous with America and American opportunity. Thus, the "pro" side actually argues, as above, that hiring ex-convicts is actually good for the community. The points that they make are as follows:

"U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald tells businesses in Chicago that hiring ex-felons is one of the best ways to reduce violent crime because it erases the reason behind many offenses. It can also provide an economic boost to some of the nation's poorest neighborhoods. & #8230; 'Those who did not have income before now do, and they need to spend all of it to meet their basic needs,' said Amy Rynell, executive director of the Chicago-based Social IMPACT Research Center."

In addition to the points made above, other arguments that outweigh the cons stress the businesses could even get a tax credit for hiring ex-felons which is yet another incentive, though not as moral one could argue, for being pro-this issue. Thus, the willingness, though not all there, is coming, and the government is already on ex-felons' side with its promotions of the issue. The last step, then, if for the ex-felons to become acquainted with the process and finally become re-integrated in the system.

There are many tutorials on this process. One such tutorial is given by the U.S. Department of Justice and is called "Successful Job Placement for Ex-Offenders" and includes details on how to look for a job, and where, as well as what the process is on how to actually apply and obtain the job. By following these guidelines an ex-convict could then very well obtain the position he or she desires.