Ban The Box

Forgive People not Crime

          It is 5:30 in the evening. Sue has gone to six businesses to apply for job. Each time she pumped herself up, thinking this time she will get interview. Sue is nicely dressed and looks like a person ready to start work. Sue has a degree in business administration and is looking for work as a data processor. She's very proud of her ability to type fast and accurately. The Human Resource person gives her an application to fill out. Sue has a very good writing style and she pays attention to details answering each question correctly. Halfway through the application she finds a box that asked “have you been convicted of a felony?” Sue knows that if she answers the question truthfully she will once again not get an interview. Sue answers the box and completes the rest of the application. The human resource person read over her application, notice Sue checked box and thanks her for applying. Again Sue will not get the chance to explain the nature of the crime, how long ago the crime was committed, when her incarceration ended and her successful completion of community college. Sue did not get the chance to present the letters of recommendation from community leaders. Seven times Sue has felt the pain of guilt and shame and rejection. With tears falling from her eyes she asks out loud, “We I ever be forgiven for my mistake.”

          This is a familiar story for men and women in our community. There's a common thread in all of them. This thread is that they were convicted of a crime and successfully met the requirements of the courts. The other common thread is they have decided to change their life, go a different path. This change meant changing behavior, changing friends, learning to keep commitments, setting goals, and loving themselves and others. They are willing to learn, willing to develop skills, willing to be of value to their community and their family. They work on a new life of repentance and dignity. They know that respect is not given, but earned.

 The unseen drug addict, prostitutes, and thief are people that commit criminal acts, and contribute to the violence in our streets. These acts feed organized crime and gang activity. We know that research shows that lack of employment is a significant cause of recidivism, with people who are employed proving significantly less likely to be re-arrested. We also know that people with criminal records suffer from pervasive discrimination in many areas of life, including employment, housing, education, and more often have to rely on social service benefits.

Banning the Box will help make all of us safer because it aids in prevention, and improve the quality of life in communities. These men’s and women’s would become a beacon of hope for those that wanting to leave the subculture of crime. It will improve the employment rate in neighborhoods where opportunities are too few and far between and will give deserving individuals the second chance they have earned. We must forgive other to be forgiven.