I support this legislation.

Christopher

I am a convicted felon who has again resorted to crime because I can not get a job due to my past.

i support this i feel thata there are some many X cons out there who are trying to do right but cant because of (the system) employers are not even cocidering them because of there past, and i think its time for that to stop. everyone desevers to be treated equally!!!

What happens to ex-convicts like my brother who was arrested due to an addiction. He is sober now. He is educated and is a welder by trade. Because of his record it has been very difficult for him to find a job. I am scared he will go back to the streets if he does not do something constructive. He deserves a second chance.

my mother was an ex con and when she got out of jail she stayed cleaned for over a year yet she still couldnt find anyone who would hire her she got real depressed and resorted back to the streets she is now back in prison and i wish there was a law like this that would have helped her.

from my personal experiance. the only way someone with an ex-con is going to a job is by knowing someone that can get him/her in that job, other wise 99.99% of the time an ex-con isn’t going to get a job. Even before I got lock-up, it was hard for me to find a job. At least down here in Miami.

We need this law 15 years ago I made some bad decisions went to prison for
18 months and came home I’ve work a few jobs since then my last job I worked 4 years and recently lost it due to cuts. Now I’m back on the hunt and
my record is getting in the way again I have not been in trouble in 15 years but I find myself being convicted all over again and that’s not rights.

I had a felony conviction 35 years ago, in another state and I did not actually commit the crime but knew it happened and because my life was threatened, I kept my mouth shut. I never had a record before or since, I had a good job with a company that closed, now after all these years I cannot find anything because this coviction is there. I have worked every year since that conviction and have had no problems, I would think that would account for something. I think we all deserve a second chance, especially if we after serving our time and proving ourselves to others Please couldn’t someone help us?

I’m an ex-offender my crime is non-violent and 8yrs old. I’m extremely concerned about how unfairly treated ex-offenders have it something must be done. Whether if a law can be passed to stop what employers are doing and even make it criminal for THEM to do it.The economy is bad enough without being able to care for yourself and your family. It’s disheartning and not right and unless the state wants overcrowding in prison they must be mindful ex-offenders have to eat too.I’ve payed my debt to society i want to be a productive citizen i’m not asking for a hand-out i need to work.

Having been recently released and enduring the hatred that each ex-offender faces I have come to realize that I must get my own. Working now to see to it that those who follow me will not have to face the same unforgiving society as I have. I must implement a means for my brothers to be placed on an equaler footing upon release. We must stick together if we are going to make it.

I believe that something other than what exists MUST be done. Currently a prison sentence is an arbitrary concept as the time spent behind bars tends to extend far beyond the original sentence and far beyond the prison walls. How is an individual supposed to turn their life around when there are so many obstacles placed in their way? Yes, they did the crime. But they also did the time. A five year sentence is not a five year sentence in actuality. It becomes a life sentence. There needs to be a redifining of release, decided on a case by case basis, whereas an individual who has done their time and has been living their life in an acceptable manner for X amount of time ( in years, preferably ), that individual’s criminal record must be sealed for all with the exception of law enforcement and the court system. Once again I stress the importance of this being on a case by case basis as there are and always will be certain crimes and certain circumstances that do not deserve nor should receive special consideration. ie. violent crimes, sex crimes, any and all crimes against children/elderly, repeat offences of any of the above, and the like. But there must be a second chance provision enforced to enable those who’ve made mistakes to again become productive in society and make a difference in their own lives as well as others…..

The system sets felons up for exactly what the government officials expect. They know what is happening when someone has a conviction. There is no way anyone can possibly believe any differently. The proof is that the Dept. of justice actually has done studies on all of this. They even have numbers on false convictions and “unfounded” convictions. The reality is that the current government has no concern for these things and probably never will. The reasoning that they are quick to use when questioned on these things is “Liability”. I say good luck to any one who has a conviction in this day in age in this country. You might as well be a wife beater in an Arab country. You will get equal consideration and respect and the rest of your life will be just as wonderful.

I know of an ex con who I met while working a part-time job. He served 17 years for accidently setting a fire. He served his time and has been out working as hard as he could. This is the only time in his life he has ever been in any trouble. He worked his way up to a salaried manager’s position. Due to budget cuts and loss contracts he was laid off. Every since, he has had to take remedial jobs to make ends meet. He is now facing loosing his apartment, car, etc because he can’t get a full-time job because of his background. He is working however, but the job is part-time seasonal with no room for growth. Currently, he may be working 12 hours a week just to keep moving. These are the instances that make individuals return to the “system”. This should not be happening, but it does and it’s not right.