EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS OF EX-OFFENDERS - A SUGGESTED APPROACH (FROM 'CRIME AND EMPLOYMENT ISSUES' - A COLLECTION OF POLICY RELEVANT MONOGRAPHS, 1978, BY LEON LEIBERG - SEE NCJ-47674)

• NCJ Number: 47683
• Author(s): R BENJAMIN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: American University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

A TWO-PHASED STRATEGY FOR OVERCOMING SOCIOECONOMIC BARRIERS THAT PRECLUDE THE INTERGRATION OF OFFENDERS INTO THE WORK FORCE IS SUGGESTED.

Abstract

THE TWO PHASES ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) REMOVAL OF LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT AND (2) DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE CAREERS PROGRAM FOR OFFENDERS. MANY LAWS IMPOSING EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITIONS WITH REGARD TO OFFENDERS HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN THE COURTS. BUT JUDICIAL OPINIONS CANNOT DISPEL THE IMAGE OF THE OFFENDER AS SOMEONE UNFIT FOR EMPLOYMENT. SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON ISSUES SURROUNDING THE EMPLOYMENT OF OFFENDERS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. SPEAKERS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SCHOOLS. EVIDENCE REGARDING THE RELIABILITY OF OFFENDERS AS EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE DISSEMINATED TO EMPLOYERS. THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND DEBATE RESULTING FROM SUCH EFFORTS CAN BRING AN END TO LEGAL PROHIBITIONS AND SOCIAL BARRIERS THAT PREVENT OFFENDERS FROM FINDING JOBS. A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE CAREERS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS COULD SERVE AS A CATALYST TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND COULD FOSTER INTERACTION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUSINESS IN THE AREA OF OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT. THE PROPOSED CAREERS PROGRAM WOULD INVOLVE RECRUITING OFFENDERS FOR GOVERNMENT POSITIONS RANGING FROM CLERICAL AND MAINTENANCE TO MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL. POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES OF THE CAREERS PROGRAM APPROACH ARE POINTED OUT.