Talking Points on Societal Re-entry
Ethical Cornerstones
- Most serving time in our prisons will eventually be released.
- It makes for safer communities if roadblocks to successful transition
from prison to the wider community are removed.
- The “corrections” system needs to hold open the potential for
restoration.
- The rule of law must be applied equally to all regardless of race,
class, gender, citizenship or income level.
- For all who are led by the spirit of God are children of God (Romans
8:14).
Present Situation
- Criminal behavior is usually transitory and short lived, while criminal
records follow those convicted of crimes their entire life.
- Current efforts to minimize this effect have been insufficient.
- Many occupations exclude formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Too few parolees receive certificates of rehabilitation and employers
show reluctance to hire persons with criminal histories, even in the absence
of any “direct relationship” between a person’s prior conviction and the
employment sought.
Problems to be Addressed
- To make it possible for those with criminal histories to become
productive members of society the process for issuance of certificates of
rehabilitation needs to be reformed and simplified.
- To further the state’s efforts toward successful re-entry and
re-integration the state’s sealing requirements needs to be amended.
- To combat discriminatory employment practices by an employer or
licensing authority, requests for information about an applicant’s
conviction history should be held in abeyance until the prospective employee
has received a conditional offer of employment (may be withdrawn if there is
a direct relationship between conviction and duties and responsibilities of
the position).
Fiscal Benefits
- Successful re-entry and re-integration of formerly incarcerated
individuals will increase state revenues through the inclusion of thousands
of taxpaying citizens to the state’s workforce.
- Additional savings will occur through the reduction in costs associated
with recidivism, re-incarceration and social services.
6/2008