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If you are an ex-offender tired of the rejection by employers and lack of consideration by legislators, here is a forum for you to voice your experiences, dreams, and concerns. The State Legislature has begun to recognize and respond to the plight of thousands of Marylanders longing for an opportunity be a contributor to the social fabric.
Ex-offenders are an untapped labor pool.
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As Maryland's budget is stretched thin by the current economic situation a working workforce is essential to building the tax-base.
MM&I recognizes and acknowledges the hopes, dreams and potential of every individual. Those with criminal backgrounds fortunate enough to find employment have proven to be dedicated employees, careful workers and leaders on the job.
Regretably, too many are locked out of the workforce by fear, bias and apathy which is reflected in public policy prescribed by legislative edict.
Topic: Expungement Law/Pardon Reform
Posted 12/16/2008
Warren C. Scott
25 Athol Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21229
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a 35-year-old ex-felon African-American male with a Bachelor’s Degree. I was convicted over thirteen years ago and I am still paying for it until this day. When I was convicted in 1994, I was told that the time I served and completed in the Maryland State Correctional Boot Camp Facility would be my way of paying my debt to society. Now as a mature adult who is able to make rational decisions and has changed his life due to learning from the past and his spiritual beliefs I am still being punished.
At the age of 21, I made a very foolish and unwise decision in choosing my friends. The result has been an ongoing punishment that is very unfair. I understand that after being convicted of a crime it may take some time for society to believe one is rehabilitated. The unfair problem I face is that the time frame keeps growing from the period when I paid my debt. When I was released in 1994 the time employers would search into my criminal background was five years. When I reached the five-year period it was extended to seven years. Once I reached the seven-year time frame it was boosted to ten years. Now, that I have been out of trouble and conducting myself as a productive member of society for over thirteen years I am being told that the background check can legally go back until the time I became an adult.
As a married Christian man with a blended family that consists of six children I find this unjust law very demeaning and discouraging. The Justice system is one that is supposed to be fair and allow all productive members of society an equal opportunity at employment. Over the past five years I have obtained my BSIT (Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology) and begun pursuing a MBA in Technology Management, which I am currently enrolled, and in the process of obtaining. Yet, employers are still stereotyping me because of a mistake I made and paid for over fourteen years ago.
I was recently working for a company through a temporary agency for four months. The rest of the temporary employees along with myself were doing such a good job that I decided to contest that we be brought on permanently. Everyone in management agreed that our performance deserved the reward of becoming permanent. As a part of the hiring criteria, Human Resources required a background check. After nine days of permanent employment within the company my background results came back revealing the felony conviction of thirteen years in the past. As a result, the company terminated my employment immediately. Regardless of my, ongoing productiveness, recent educational accomplishments, work performance and the recommendations of my superiors I was dealt a devastating blow. It was enough to make a grown man cry. How is it that I am able to work for an organization as long as I am a temp, but when I apply to be eligible for the benefits that will provide health care and other rewards of a regular employee the rules change. Please tell me where the fairness and equal opportunity lies in that.
My dilemma and concern is that I am an African American male, father, husband, and productive citizen of what I believe to be a free and fair society. As time goes on my belief in that fair society is starting to fade. Being convicted of that crime long ago taught me a very valuable lesson that I have not been fairly able to demonstrate. As a parent, I want to be able to teach my children that when you make a mistake you have to pay the consequences but once you have paid that price you can move on. However, I am not able to demonstrate that because the authorities in employment hiring processes are trying to hold me back. One of the reasons I am continuing my education is to be an example that education pays off. I am not able to do that when every time I apply or prove that I am qualified to perform a specific job I am turned down or terminated because of my past.
Someone please help. I was told that legally an employer is not supposed to research more than ten years into an employee’s past. All I am asking is for some answers on how does a man that wants be a provider, positive role model, and inspiration to his children and community get a fair chance. A response and explanation would be very much appreciated so that I can explain to my children and get an understanding for myself that even if they see this society that I speak so highly of hold me back after pursuing higher learning, that they should still pursue their education and career.
Sincerely,
Warren C. Scott
{A Man, Husband, Father, and Productive Citizen in search for some answers}
Topic: Expungement Law
Posted 1/16/2009
T. Cole
I am young father looking to set a positive example for my children. During this transition in life I'm finding that goal very differ cult. I have been looking for employment for about 10 months since I was laid off of my last job. I have proven to be a hard and reliable worker. I have a high school diploma, college credits and a strong work history. You would think I would be able to obtain employment without a problem but thats not the case. I post my resume online and employers are often very impressed. During these past 10 months I have actually been hired to work for some of these employers until the fatality blow kicks in. The employer will say " I will let you know when you can start once I check your background." Then I never hear from them again. I think that this is a unfair practice. I always learned in school that you cant be tried for the same crime twice and cruel and unusual punishment is against the Constitution of the United States of America. But I guess certain rules apply to certain people. I feel as though I paid for my crimes so I shouldn't continue to be punished for mistakes I made in the past. If there were more jobs available and the willingness to give a person a second chance, there will be less crimes committed. At the end of the day people are only trying to make a buck. You shouldn't prejudge people for what they have done in the past if they are sincerely trying to make the right steps for the future. Now don't get me wrong some people are never going to change but there are a lot who are willing to change. And just because a person has never been caught doing a crime doesn't mean that they are not going to do what ever it is that you think a person who has been convicted of a crime will do. But one thing I can say is that I am going to keep trying until I am successful because thats what the church teaches me to do.
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