David Morse, a Prosecutor in Livingston County, Michigan does not give certain offenders any slack. Claiming that if a person was sentenced to several years in prison, that person deserves it. In Morse’s opinion, a long sentence means a person committed a serious crime, has a long criminal history, or violated probation several times. Morse may be right in some cases, but does not factor into his conclusions that most offenders plead guilty, rather than are found guilty by a jury. One of the things Morse does believe is that the courts do not consider future employment when sentences are handed down.
The Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI) and Michigan Works!, however, are aware of the consequences convicted felons face when applying for a job, as they aware of the fact that those on probation who don’t have a job may be sent back to prison. Facing an uphill battle, MPRI believes that without the opportunity to receive a second chance, those with criminal convictions will live up to the label, “unmitigated failures,” that Morse has already slapped on them.
MPRI works hard to give formerly incarcerated individuals a second chance. Working with felons who have been convicted of crimes within the whole range of the Michigan penal code, MPRI caseworkers offer those who come through their doors the chance to start over. Clients are taught life and job skills. Tips on putting together a resume that will highlight their talents are offered. How to dress for an interview is a topic that those who spent years in a prison uniform can appreciate. Establishing a client’s positive characteristics, while working on overcoming negative attributes, allows a case manager to aid someone with a criminal past to present a polished and confident appearance before a prospective employer.
Despite Morse’s assertion that some people just aren’t worth a second chance, MPRI believes otherwise. In a tough job market where even those without a criminal record cannot find employment, MPRI has helped 44 percent of their clients find a job.
MPRI’s success is not the norm in the state. According to the Daily Press, most Michigan employers have mixed views concerning hiring felons, as the results of a recent survey concludes.
Assistant Professor Stacy Hickox ,of Michigan State University, provided 2,800 Michigan employers with surveys regarding the hiring of those with criminal histories. Only 80 completed surveys were returned. Hickox declared that 30 percent of employers stated that they would never hire ex-offenders. However, employers who did hire individuals with criminal pasts were impressed by their work ethic and low turnover rate, claims Hickox.
Hickox reports that sex offenders had the hardest time finding employment, due to negative public sentiment against those charged with a sex crime, and also because sex offenders cannot be employed in the vicinity of schools or parks, and have other restrictions placed upon them. A report aired by CBS Sunday Morning on 5/22/11 stated that the majority of people in the world live in cities. Since cities have numerous schools and parks, convicted sex offenders are extremely limited to areas in which to seek employment.
Hickok also discovered that if an employer felt a formerly incarcerated person was “rehabilitated” that person might be hired. Since the definition of rehabilitation is subjective, odds might not be stacked in a felon’s favor.
Source: Daily Press
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