American companies are hiring criminals now. How do you feel about this?

[Anonymous]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-10-05/labor-ex-felons%3f_amp=true

This is a step in the right direction

This is a step in the wrong direction

Updates

+1 y

My friend said her company in Montana hired a pedophile

[libsaretards]

Given that I'm a former Corrections Officer, my answer might surprise you. I believe that when a criminal has served their time they deserve an almost fresh start. The reason I say "almost" is because some crimes do have a direct impact on a job.

If the job is some grocery store, store associate or something along those lines then a criminal history should not matter. Those are not really jobs of trust. Those are the perfect jobs for giving someone a second chance. However, even with these jobs, if someone is convicted of crimes involving theft (shoplifting, petty theft, larceny, grand theft auto, etc.) then obviously you do not place them on a cash register. There is research that those who commit theft-related crimes tend to repeat these crimes more than those who commit other offenses so there is a solid chance a thief will steal again. At least if they steal items all you have to do is fire them. Taking the loss of inventory is not as big a risk as losing money.

If someone has served time for murder, the odds of them repeating murder are mixed. Research shows that those who murder in crimes of passion (cheating for example) are not a risk to society because the odds they will go on a spree is low. In that case the person should not be barred employment from a private organization since their crime would have nothing to do with their ability to do the job.

If the job is any type of government job, then a felon obviously should NEVER be able to hold the position. They have shown willingness to violate majors laws and a government official must be willing to uphold the laws related to their position.

To summarize my point, I believe companies that allow criminals to hold a job are doing a good thing. However, the company needs to weigh the specific crime against the requirements of the position. If the crime does not directly affect any requirements of the job then the crime should not be factored in. The whole point of incarceration is to be the punishment for the criminal. Once a person serves their punishment, they deserve a chance until they screw up again.

[InventorofWarp]

I'm not American so frankly I don't give af. But I know that in my country, it's pretty typical to have a background check required of you before even basic employment and I've never refused one so I don't really know what happens if you do. I would presume you don't get hired.
Only places I think you can really work after conviction are restaurants as like a cook and caterer or on those skipthedishes and doordash-type apps 'cause there's a guy I went to school with I know has convictions and that's what he does.

[ninaneedshelp]

As long as pedophiles aren't around children, and so forth an so on, I don't have a problem. We need them to do some sort of meaningful work or else they will get into trouble again. As long as we aren't placing them in situations that they would be tempted to commit crimes again it shouldn't be a problem. People should be given a chance to redeem themselves. After all we're all defective and make mistakes. Now it should depend on the degree of crime of course. I don't think anyone wants a serial killer out of jail. Prisons in Norway have proven to be very effective and they have low reoffending rates. I'd like to see where this goes.

[Asker]

You're Norwegian?

[ninaneedshelp]

Nope

[NopeWhatTime]

Even criminals need jobs. How are they supposed to turn their lives around without one?

[NamerOfStars]

Jean Valjean would be pleased. If some teenager gets busted with a joint, do you really think he should be denied honest work for the rest of his life? Giving someone a second chance requires taking a risk, and it's not like being a stocker at a department store gives you many opportunities for large-scale mayhem. "Has a criminal record" is an awfully big category; multiple murder and tax evasion aren't the same thing, and presumably the company would do some investigating before they hired someone.

[ChrisMaster69]

Well yes companies hire people that have been in prison.

certain jobs are not allowed, for example fraud and financial sector.

Also certain jobs, such as police may be not allowed for a number of crimes.

it is up to the hiring company who they take.

There is also various things here just as rehabilitation of offenders act.

Companies tend to use screening and may also specifically recruit from those recently released, mainly to give them a start once released and to reduce chance of reoffending.

[MuddyMole]

Of course. Even people with criminal records have bills to pay - or would you rather they live off taxpayer-funded welfare payments for the rest of their life?

I mean, maybe don't hire a convicted paedophile to work in a nursery, or someone convicted of fraud to work in the accounts department, but there are countless other jobs where a criminal record should not be a serious hindrance.

[Avicenna]

"Criminal history" is a very broad term and people with criminal records need to work somewhere (obviously depending on their record many workplaces won't be options).

This could include someone who did time for not being able to pay child support, which doesn't go away just because you're incarcerated.

[Subarugirl]

I think its great! They need jobs too.. obviously the crime should be taken into account and the job should be a reflection of that.
Pedophiles shouldn't work with children
People convicted of financial crimes shouldn't work at a bank
etc

[Anonymous]

Well how are they supposed to ever become a productive citizen if they’re never given a job because if their record? It doesn’t give them much choice but to continue with criminal activities to support themselves. So I think this is good.

[Flower7]

Good, because sometimes, even people who only did minor crime can’t find jobs in the furniture because if their criminal record.

[Flower7]

future*

[Jasmine-Darkfire]

Businesses should have the right to decide who they hire, it could be exclusively criminals or otherwise. What does it matter? I have never been to a business and asked or cared if any of the employees have been convicted of anything.

[InventorofWarp]

You've never been required to do a background check for employment?

[Jasmine-Darkfire]

@InventorofWarp I meant, I've never asked if any of the employees were convicted of anything as a customer.

[InventorofWarp]

thanks for clarifying.

[MCheetah]

I don't care. Better to have some ex convicts keeping your business afloat than letting it die. I'd just also invest in some CCTV cameras too, while you're at it. Just saying.

[loveslongnails]

It says "consider for employment all qualified... etc". So, first you need to be qualified. Then I would imagine it depends on what you were in jail for or convicted of. If you got nabbed for having 2 ounces of weed and they said it was distribution instead of personal use, then I wouldn't care. If it was murder or aggravated assault or something, no.

[oddwaffle]

At some point they have to consider prison as a life long punishment or rehabilitation. The later require find a away to let people live instead of punish them forever like they used to brand people on this faces.

[Leonharted]

They aren't hiring criminals. They are hiring those with criminal histories. The entire point is that these people have paid their debt to society, whether that's a fine or jail time. If you don't think they should get hired, then you should advocate for lifetime imprisonment or the death penalty for every crime.

[libsaretards]

Your reply is the exact response most COs would give. Most people with certain misdemeanors can still become Corrections Officers so why should a private company not give someone a chance when those who literally watch over inmates can be given a chance with their history?

[MrtoddsWildRide]

One of the reasons people go back to prison is a lack of opportunities. If slinging drugs is the only way you have to feed to kids, you are going to sling drugs.

[Slartybartfast]

Name an executive from a major bank who isn't a criminal?

[exitseven]

If they went to prison and paid their debt to society they should be able to find a job. Besides it is better than hiring illegals.

[disgustingweebtrash]

Most people reoffend because of lack of opportunity.

[Asker]

So option A?

[AncientWisdom]

Every one deserves a second chance unless you’ve harmed a child. I think maybe someone who needs a chance may be a good employee. I hire ExCons. We are not here to judge we are here to learn to be better beings.

[Oigit]

In general the prison/jail system was supposed to be about rehabilitating people. Since there isn't any profit in rehabilitation it got axed. Kind of funny how rehabilitation isn't a priority in both left and right ran states.

[Recurrence]

Oh no! Someone had a nugget of weed in their pocket 32 years ago!

[rabbitzzz]

Depends on criminal histories. Speed limit violation isn't same as robbery.