Why can't convicted felons ever find work?

Hello I live in California in a small town called Tehachapi and I'm a convicted Felon I was convicted of a Hit and run and drug charges and Retaing use of an access card with intent to comit fraud. the hit and run I can understand the Drug charges well...

they are what they are but the card one is a joke. Anyhow I was convicted and whent to prison for 19 months. I payed my debt to society and got out and off parole. Found a job and worked for 8 months till a background check got me fired cause I lied on the app, was the only way I could get a job. Now for two years I have been looking for work and being honest on my apps and never here from any employer. I have ben to college and even an aeronautical school have plenty of education but that doesnt seem to mean a thing. Recently I went to a company here in my town called Chemtool and the guy who hires was very nice and seemed like he wanted to hire, meso I filled out the application and I never heard from him again. Seems like a discrimination to me. But under the EOE they state nothing about Convictions, in other words that is the one thing that you can be discriminated aginst, not race, color, religion ect but felon convictions yes.
So I keep trying Last one was swift I have a class A licence and all my endorsements I can drive a missle across the United states. I can haul gas drive doubles but no one will hire me casue I have a hit and run. SO I thought I would try swift Transportaion filled out there little aplication was as honest as I could be , you have to. And nothin. At least call a guy back and tell him hes a no good criminal and that you dont want to hire him casue of whatever at least there would be some closer, that would be nice.
So here I am still no job and its been a little over 2 years, I survive buy living with my mother and selling stuff on ebay and a little welfare, Sad thing is welfare wont help me find a job casue I have a drug conviction another joke in society. I havent seen any drugs in 7 years but I have a drug conviction So I'm uneligable for CAlworks a program that helps someone find work that is on welfare. No wonder society is all screwed up and criminals keep going back to jail. give them jobs and there would be a lot less crime.
So what does a convicted felon do to get a job. I have to survive I cant live off my mother forever and nor do I want to. Very demining here it has been 5 years sice I payed my debt to society and I'm still being punished for it.

I know what you mean. I was convicted of Assault and spent 1 year incarcerated. I got out and no one wanted to hire me. I have a BA in Communications and lots of work experience. I was honest on every application. I used to do Insurance Adjusting, but if you have a felony, you cannot work in the insurance field. It is a FELONY to hire a convicted felon. I went through 3 unemployment agencies, and even they couldnt help me. Finally, after about 4 months, a former supervisor and friend of mine knew a local small business owner. He hired me knowing of my background. I am now employed full time (which meets my requirements for probation). I also have another family friend that is going to have me help with his small business on weekends and nights.

My advice to you is to see if you can find a small business or company that is less likely to run a background check. See if you have any friends or family that can put in a good word for you. If you are religious, how about church members? The supervisor that helped me knew a guy from his church and that is how I got hired.

Also, the City I live in (Mobile, AL) hires felons to work for them. Maybe go through your city personnel board to see if this is the case? You can always go through one of the career specialists at your Parole/Probation department in your city.

I really feel for you man. We paid our debt to society, but you really pay that debt until you either die or get the charges expunged. I really hope you have good luck in finding a job.

I know what you mean. I was convicted of Assault and spent 1 year incarcerated. I got out and no one wanted to hire me. I have a BA in Communications and lots of work experience. I was honest on every application. I used to do Insurance Adjusting, but if you have a felony, you cannot work in the insurance field. It is a FELONY to hire a convicted felon. I went through 3 unemployment agencies, and even they couldnt help me. Finally, after about 4 months, a former supervisor and friend of mine knew a local small business owner. He hired me knowing of my background. I am now employed full time (which meets my requirements for probation). I also have another family friend that is going to have me help with his small business on weekends and nights.

My advice to you is to see if you can find a small business or company that is less likely to run a background check. See if you have any friends or family that can put in a good word for you. If you are religious, how about church members? The supervisor that helped me knew a guy from his church and that is how I got hired.

Also, the City I live in (Mobile, AL) hires felons to work for them. Maybe go through your city personnel board to see if this is the case? You can always go through one of the career specialists at your Parole/Probation department in your city.

I really feel for you man. We paid our debt to society, but you really pay that debt until you either die or get the charges expunged. I really hope you have good luck in finding a job.

You know what this is exactly why my son joined the home based business I operate. We make our money without intrusive, small minded, ignorant people knowing anything about us other than the voice over the phone or the emails we send.

Bless you all and to your proeperous success.
C Siler Washington

Hey to anyone who has felonies misdemeanors or on parole even drug related... Hard2Hire.com is great... except the minimum for felonies is 5 years or they won't look at you.

well youll are being labelled...stereotyping society

well youll are being labelled...stereotyping society

Hi. I know in New York and New Jersey there are a couple of programs that help those who had been incarcerated get back on their feet, the only trouble is there are a lot of requirements to be met and followed. I am sure they have something similar in California. My teacher is a convicted felon and he has been having trouble looking for a job for five years but he is saving up money to go to trade school. Perhaps you can look into that.

its a never ending cycle some felons just dont care enough to want to do something about this. think about it this way when everyone was afraid of gays and hated them they stuck together and no have laws and rights if felons were motivated enough to do something about their situation im sure something can happen it takes more then one person. im a 24 year old female and has been to jail 4 times on different charges my last charge was a drug conviction I needed to find a means to support myself I got out of jail for robbery charges and could not find a job 2 years later I got picked up on drug charges. I recently got out in oct and still no job with drug charges I cant even get welfare. even if I could find a job I dont want that id like a career something permanent to support a family I might have some day.

I agree with everything that you have said. The answer is to change the law. We all have to unite and someday this type of treatment won't be tolerated. Please read my story. Copy and paste the below hyperlink into your browser.

http://www.petitiononline.com/2ndchnce/

When you look at this everyone believes it is our own fault for committing a crime.

What they dont realize is that there by the grace of god go thou.

I know that there will be some that dont like that answer, but here in WI you will always be a felon, back before computers you had a decent chance to pass a background check, cause they had to pay for those, well now there is a database, and everyone has access to it, if they check it your screwed for getting a job if you say you dont have one.

Now the applications I have filled out say ever thats an awful long time, I skip it and take my chances if they run a check then they wont hire me, and I am back at where I was before, if they hire me, well that is my good, if they find out later, well I start looking again.

if you admit that you have a felony you are pandering to their judgements, I refuse, no more, I will not do their jobs for them, if they look it up then fine, what are they going to do report me to the liar police?

In WI there are only 2 counties that cannot use your criminial past against you, Dane and Milwaukee Counties, guess what Milw has only the 2nd highest unemployment of the state, and that is second to Rock county, the former WI home to GM.

If they didnt use our past against us, like we did our time, then we could all have a job, they look at from the liabilty, well what is the liabilty of not doing their own due diligence?

I even attempted to sue a company that didnt hire because of my felony, because of the nature of my case even though it was 13 years ago, makes me ineliglble to even work in a factory, I may carry off a piece or part.

I own my own business, started after my crime, and believe it or not it is fraud prevention, who better to educate an employer than a person who committed the crime?

When I make enough money I will start an organization that will help felons with employment, houseing but at this point that is the dream I need to make money before I can help them.

Once I have that together I will go to the State Dept. of Corrections to help their release program.

I am not a social worker, just a person who has suffered from my poor judgement.

I believe that everyone should be given a second chance, obviously you wouldnt put someone that stole chickens in charge of the hen house, but there are jobs that felons can do.

I can understand what you are all going through. I have just been convicted of ID theft. I am a 37 year old woman that had a 3 year old son die. He was a twin. I handled my stress in the wrong way. I opened a credit card in my Mom's name and was buying items in my yard that looked like a cemetary. My Mom called the police and I turned myself in. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to find work. All I want to do is make restitution to my Mom, and it seems impossible to do that! I have gone on several job interviews. One interview I went on, I filled out the application, and when I went to use the bathroom, I overheard the secretary on the phone telling someone that I had a criminal record. When I came out of the bathroom, she told me that they don't know where there boss is, and they would have to call me back to reschedule another interview! How ignorant! I knew damn well why they turned me away! I wasn't even convicted yet!

I think that there needs to be some kind of a cap on the time frame that a person was convicted and if it is violated the fines should be in the Millions. There is no difference between the type of discrimination in the work place when applying for work than there was in the 50s when a black man couldn't go into a white mans restaurant. Society always looks for something or someone to blame for their inability to accept the fact that we are not all alike. and not everyone that goes to prison wants to go back. We just want the ability to take care of ourselves. I'm not real religious but Jesus said it a long time ago, he who is without sin cast the first stone. Remember we will all be judged someday by our own judgment of others. I think it would be fare to say that when an employer inquires into a persons background if the crime has nothing to do with the job they shouldn't be able to find out nothing. If it does then they just don't get the job. I'm an ex felon of 18 years ago and it has cost me several good jobs even-though I was told at different times by my boss that I was doing a great job. I have been told that someone in the office decided they didn't like my past and was fired for no reason. I haven't given up yet but I'm considering starting my own business without any capitol. I have been told but I don't know for sure that an ex offender can get loans because he is considered a minority. I am presently unemployed and drawing unemployment but, it will run out soon and I will lose everything if I don't find work soon. Thats why I considered self employment. I have many skills and a college education and they still discriminate even after 18 years. To top things off I'm dying of an Illness that I have no Idea where it came from. and my wife took everything and ran off with a rich younger man. So if you think you have got it bad think about my situation and I haven't given up yet. I have lied on applications, do what ever you have to so that you can survive as long as you don't break the law. There all waiting for you to do that. Someday we might actually have a society that gives a crap about the human race. We have all of these church groups in this county who preach one thing and do something else behind closed doors. They have been no help to the ex offender and they are suppose to be Christian, how are we to survive if even the people who claim to know God wont even give us a break. We are nothing more than Daniel in the lions den and our society which originated in Rome is still the same. Good luck don't give up Greybeard

I too have had the same problem. my felons are 10 years old, and I cant even get a job as a janitor. It seems that if you made a mistake you have to wear the scarlette letter for life. in my case it would be a F for felon. it is not fair that we get this treatment. and you are right if they gave felons a job we maybe this country wouldnt be in the problem we are in today. but then again, its okay to be a felon if you have enough money like wallstreet crooks. were not all bad, just made a few bad decicions in our youth. but its not fair to punish us forever. Felon friend in NM

Its just funny how no one wants to hire a felon and they are the ones that apply themselves to get a degree and try to make it work. But as you have it the door is shut in their face. I committed an offense 9 years ago did my parole been off for 4 years now getting my BS in Business I'll graduate in November this year. And no one will mess with me. It seems working I na funeral home is the best bet. And as far as the background check. theu used to only go back 5-7 years now they go back to when you took your 1st breath. and they wonder why people are going in and out of prison. I swear CALIF. IS A BIG JOKE

Here is a thought. Become an alcohol and drug counselor. These are the people that believe everyone can change, so there may be a job out there for you in that field. Everyone deserves a second chance!

hey everyone it is the truth society is so full of it I just dont see how people can sit back and jugde others but listen everyone it just not all about felons a criminal record is a criminal record I say that because I am not a felon but I do have misdomenor charges on my record and these charges are like twelve years old now and trust me I will get the same treatment I had my daughter its been now three years ago I was 31 years old my first and only child I had to become a stay at home mom for the first two years because she was a premature weighed 2pounds 10ounces now shes three big beautiful and healthy and im ready to get back into tho the workforce but I am so scared to be rejected because I know that I will be but like the one gentlemen said we cannot give up if we give up then society has beaten us and I cannot allow to be told what I can and cannot do especially when a lot of us have familes to take care of giving up is not an option alto its hard very hard to get someone to believe in you and trust you a stranger at that but I will push and push until something happens I have to for the sake of my beautiful baby girl God bless each and every one of you

Here is what you do, go back to the employer who wanted to hire you and drop to your knees, open your mouth, and you are in.

I have a serious felony from over ten years ago, I have found that the ONLY place I can find work is thru temp agencies. I work for a temp agency right now and nearly everybody there is either a mexican or a felon. Even the programs out here that are here to help felons train for jobs and find employment will not work with me because I have a robbery conviction which they deem as a unemployable offense, one counselor basically told me that having me in their program would be a waste of resources because nobody is going to hire me anyways.

Reading all these posts makes me some what feel good and bad at the same time.
Good at the fact that I'm not alone.. but bad that nothing's going to change. It all sounds the same to the rest of society that has no clue what it is to live in our shoes ,until they end up in them their selves. Excuse or not I don't care and it doesn't matter anymore about what people have to say but I'm gonna say it anyways. Live the life I lived and tell me if I had a choice. Might sound like stereo type but I lived and grew up in the hood streets of East LA going from group home to group home. Lived a life of crime but didnt know any better, young and dumb right? Either way to get back to NOW and the moment, I'm a father of a beautiful son and thank God for my optimistic personality I go by everyday with a positive attitude and my head held high. I'm 27yrs old (M) its been a good 4-5yrs since I was convicted, but as many of you state in your comments on this F'd up way society is built to help, SCREW IT. But like I said doesnt matter anyway cause we're all gonna wake up tomorrow knowing what situation we're in. Sad really, but for you who read this, your not alone and I wish you the best of luck. Keep your head up and your mind right cause you know who you are, and you know that nobody can take that away, so take care and much love... peace.

OK dont give up hope! back in 2001 I was charged with 2 felonies, sale/possession of MDMA (ecstacy) 1st and 2nd degree!!! ok we all make mistakes and that was mine… and all this time I’ve struggled really hard to find a minimum wage job, I lied on apps, did everything just get a job! In 2004 I finally got a job delivering pizza, when I moved I lost my jobl. In 2007 I got a job at Tire Kingdom, I lied but gotta job!! I was there long enough to learn the basics about car and servicing them. Then I was offered a job to be a sales manager at another auto shop, this would be the reason I left Tire Kingdom!! I was hired on as the Sales Manager, I never been a manager before!! This was great right!! Well that went out of business like 3 months after I got there.. business was already going under and they wanted to see if I could turn it around! FAIL!! lol TY economy!! anyway life’s been rough, I have a wife and 2 kids and with her being the only 1 working has made it extremely difficult. Well just last week I went on craigslist and seen a job for OIL SERVICE TECH at JIFFY LUBE. I went ahead and applied and was 100% honest about my background. Stating that I had great references from the the past 2 jobs I had. The reginal manager said that they would give me a chance!!! IT WAS A SHOCKER, I WAS HONEST AND HIRED! I WAS DEAD SET IN MY WAYS OF THINKING ” THERE NEVER GOING TO HIRE ME!!!” well, this shows everbody not to give up and life has its way of working things out! my prayers have been answered!! you just have to change your life for 1, and be highly motivated! If your a repeat offender then there’s probably another road your going to take. This is a 1 time arrest, failed probation after 1 1/2 years of being on it, went to jail to finish my sentence, no judication witheld. Convited felon for life, Cause I had a party problem lol, love to have a good time!! I was 21 when I made the mistake, hanging out with old highschool friends!

Oh yeah, also I started my training classes yesturday! This job is like no other job I had, You need to work as a team, literally. From when the car pulls in to the car pulls out. Its like a pitstop on a racetrack!! The regional manager also stated that after a year and I do good he would make me assisstant manager!!! I’m STOKED! I encourage anybody with a felony or 2 lol to apply there, it might workout for you!! No Experience Necessary!!! Paid Training!! Good Luck to all and especially to the mother trying to find her son work!!! He needs to have some trade under his belt! Maybe become an independent contractor!
30 y/o male
Orlando, FL