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,

W. C. Scott

{A Man, Husband, Father, and Productive Citizen in search for some answers}