Transcript for the Piece with no music version of Ex-convicts struggle to enter bleak job market

Michael Miller has been searching for a job since the beginning of this year. He has sent more than fifty resumes out, but hasn’t had much luck. Michael could’ve been employed the first day he started looking - his union had offered him a job. But something prevented him from doing so. Michael had just been released from prison and the job was ninety miles away – which was farther than what he was allowed to go. So Michael searched for something local.

“It was right at the beginning of the year, the inauguration, things have changed, they were sure about people were a little weary about hiring people. And then, I was fresh out of being incarcerated; I was just happy, I was walking around with a piece of paper saying I’m free! And that kind of scared people to at the same time, because I was just happy to be out, whereas therefore I should’ve been a little reserved. But that’s ok. I have to accept that and I get along with that.”

Michael has worked some part time jobs, but legal barriers have hindered his chances of full employment. His phone use was regulated during the transition period, which made everyday communication difficult. These restrictions have prevented Michael from achieving what he really wants:

“I don’t want to be burden to society anymore, even though I have been, and I’m able for certain benefits. If I’m able and capable of working, I’d rather be working than to have to use what benefits society has out there. Whereas other people have no capabilities of actually working, whether it be physical, mental, or what other disabilities they might have, I would rather them have it and me continue to pay my taxes.”

For ex-convicts job placemen is often the difference between a successful reentry into society and a return to jail. But the legal barriers and the stigma associated with having a criminal record have always made it difficult for ex-convicts to find a job. Now, with the national unemployment rate at nine and a half percent, what was already challenging has become even harder. Roberta Meyers Peeples is the executive director of the National Helping Individuals with Criminal Records Reenter Through Employment Network, or HIRE.

“From what I hear from practitioners it’s made it so much harder. And a lot of that has to do with the prevalence of background checks. I think the market is definitely much more competitive, and because it’s more competitive individuals with criminal histories are being pushed to the bottom of the selection pool.”

Organizations like Offender Aid and Restoration in Arlington, Virginia, help ex-convicts reenter society after being released. Part of that process includes finding jobs. Because of the economic crisis, the number of jobs OAR has been able to find for its clients in the last two years has fallen by a third, from 157 to 101.

“The economy is really the main thing. Like last year we used to find jobs like that.”

That's Nick Tar, Michael's case manager at OAR. He helps individuals with all parts of the reentry process. From getting a new ID to writing a resume and conducting a job interview. Even if the chances of getting a job are now slimmer, there are still some guidelines ex-convicts should follow.

“We tell clients you have to speak the truth in the interview. If they ask you if you’ve been incarcerated or not you have to be open. And then explain really the circumstances of what happen. A lot of the employers are ready to listen, if you can explain yourself. But you still find employers out there who are still skeptical about employing ex-offenders.”

It's a catch-22 situation. If ex-convicts lie, they risk losing their job, but if they're honest, they often don't even have a chance of being selected, especially in the case of online applications. Gail Arnall, OAR’s executive director, explains:

“Everybody is looking for work, and so to get online… and that’s how most people want you to apply these days, and if they ask, and many do, have you been convicted of a felon? There is no room for explanation. You put yes and then you’re kicked out.”

It is this kind of selection process that the Hire is trying to combat. There are no federal laws regulating discriminatory practices when hiring people with criminal records, and only 14 states have some sort of ban in place. For Gayle Arnall, another issue is society’s misrepresentation of ex-convicts:

“We’re fighting against television, where you have these programs like “Lock up in jail” and even “Law and Order” that gives you the impression that you’re really in danger if you associate with someone who’s been in jail. And that simply is not the case. Most people are in jail for non-violent offenses, 95 percent of the people in the country will come out of jail, over 600.000 people will come out this year alone. They’re not bad people, they messed up.”

But even if Michael hasn’t had much luck in securing a job, he still sees a silver lining in his situation. He says his life would’ve been worse if he hadn’t been incarcerated, and that being locked up has improved his relationship with his family.

“Ironically, getting in trouble did turn my life around and will give me a better life. But if you want to consider that did I learn my lesson? I guess if that’s what you want to call it. Didn’t like it. Not one bit.”