Should a conviction still be allowed to hold ex-felons back?

DaemonSeid · #1 08-13-2010, 12:52 PM

If you have been deemed reformed by the system, why should it matter? If, say a bank robbery took place 30 years ago and that person has lived an upright life since, should that person be chained to that? Or...Should there be a statute of limitations to how long a person should still be held accountable for a crime?

HMmm

als463 · #2 08-13-2010, 02:25 PM

I'm half and half on this issue. Would I want to work next to a rapist? No. Do I think "CERTAIN" convictions deserve a second chance? Yes. I work with people (Patients) who may possibly have drug convictions. It's heartbreaking to me to see some young kids/ adults come out of prison for selling marijuana and now they can't find a job. It sucks for them. Sure, they made a mistake but, if we are going to try and help them, let them work. I have a strong belief that we should help rehabilitate people before just turning them away or locking them up...for "CERTAIN" offenses. Sex offenders, now that is a different story.

DaemonSeid · #3 08-13-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

I'm half and half on this issue. Would I want to work next to a rapist? No. Do I think "CERTAIN" convictions deserve a second chance? Yes. I work with people (Patients) who may possibly have drug convictions. It's heartbreaking to me to see some young kids/ adults come out of prison for selling marijuana and now they can't find a job. It sucks for them. Sure, they made a mistake but, if we are going to try and help them, let them work. I have a strong belief that we should help rehabilitate people before just turning them away or locking them up...for "CERTAIN" offenses. Sex offenders, now that is a different story.

Problem with sex offenders is this:

To what degree are you talking? You have people that may have some naked pics on their phone and get labeled and lumped in right along with people who are out and out bonafide pedophiles...so how do you make the distinction?

als463 · #4 08-13-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Problem with sex offenders is this:

To what degree are you talking? You have people that may have some naked pics on their phone and get labeled and lumped in right along with people who are out and out bonafide pedophiles...so how do you make the distinction?

Oh, no...I agree with that. There is a difference between a guy who is a complete pedophile and a kid who got in trouble for dating a 16 year-old girl, when he was 18 years-old because the girl's mom and dad didn't like him very much. If you are a Megan's Offender, which is the harshest of the harsh sex offenders, then in my eyes, you shouldn't leave prison. I have little tolerance for sex offenders.

As far as some young kid who got mixed up with the wrong crowd and sold drugs, I think he (or she, I'm not stereotyping) should get a second chance.

33girl · #5 08-13-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

So if some felonies are weighted more than others, should employers even ask if the candidate have a criminal background? I know there is the felony box, but isn't there an area below it asking if you have a criminal history, please explain?

I think what happens in some cases is if there are lots of applicants, the hirer just breezes through and sees if that box is checked "yes" or "no." If it's yes - file 13.

preciousjeni · #6 08-13-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think what happens in some cases is if there are lots of applicants, the hirer just breezes through and sees if that box is checked "yes" or "no." If it's yes - file 13.

*Most* cases.

als463 · #7 08-13-2010, 02:54 PM

[QUOTE=PiKA2001;1968126]

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

Oh, no...I agree with that. There is a difference between a guy who is a complete pedophile and a kid who got in trouble for dating a 16 year-old girl, when he was 18 years-old because the girl's mom and dad didn't like him very much. If you are a Megan's Offender, which is the harshest of the harsh sex offenders, then in my eyes, you shouldn't leave prison. I have little tolerance for sex offenders.

As far as some young kid who got mixed up with the wrong crowd and sold drugs, I think he (or she, I'm not stereotyping) should get a second chance.[/QUOTE

So if some felony's are weighted more than others, should employers even ask if the candidate have a criminal background? I know there is the felony box, but isn't there an area below it asking if you have a criminal history, please explain?

I don't really think we should leave it up to just someone checking a box. Some people may be afraid of the outcome and check "NO" while the supervisor doesn't even do a background check. I think that a background check should be done, with the person's permission. If the person automatically denies wanting to have a background check done, then that should be a red flag. If you're a Megan's offender, the answer for me hiring you would be NO!

33girl · #8 08-13-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Problem with sex offenders is this:

To what degree are you talking? You have people that may have some naked pics on their phone and get labeled and lumped in right along with people who are out and out bonafide pedophiles...so how do you make the distinction?

That's why there's a problem with the designation "felons" in general. There are things considered felonies that would give someone pause about their safety, and there are things, like embezzlement, that the person who did them might not be the least bit violent.

PiKA2001 · #9 08-13-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

Sex offenders, now that is a different story.

Interesting you bring this up. For those who believe that it's unconstitutional to ask applicants if they've had prior convictions, how do you feel about sex offenders having to register as such?

als463 · #10 08-13-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Interesting you bring this up. For those who believe that it's unconstitutional to ask applicants if they've had prior convictions, how do you feel about sex offenders having to register as such?

Sorry, I didn't see this until later. I don't think it is unconstitutional to want to know someone's past. I think that getting a background check on someone should be standard. If you are afraid of what might come up, then maybe you shouldn't be hired. As former military with a Top Secret/ SCI clearance, I have nothing in my past to be afraid to share. I think they should do background checks on people working from McDonald's all the way up the chain to other Corporate careers. I don't have children but, I'd be pretty upset if my teenage daughter was flipping burgers after school, right next to a sex offender. No thanks!

PiKA2001 · #11 08-13-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

Sorry, I didn't see this until later. I don't think it is unconstitutional to want to know someone's past. I think that getting a background check on someone should be standard. If you are afraid of what might come up, then maybe you shouldn't be hired. As former military with a Top Secret/ SCI clearance, I have nothing in my past to be afraid to share. I think they should do background checks on people working from McDonald's all the way up the chain to other Corporate careers. I don't have children but, I'd be pretty upset if my teenage daughter was flipping burgers after school, right next to a sex offender. No thanks!

I think it's this sort of thought thats keeping people with prior convictions down. Just because someone committed a crime in the past doesn't mean he hasn't reformed or is going to rape all his co-workers and steal from his employer. AND THEY HAVE TO WORK SOMEWHERE!

preciousjeni · #12 08-13-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

AND THEY HAVE TO WORK SOMEWHERE!

Or we could put them on public assistance if that works for everyone.

Alumiyum · #13 08-13-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I think it's this sort of thought thats keeping people with prior convictions down. Just because someone committed a crime in the past doesn't mean he hasn't reformed or is going to rape all his co-workers and steal from his employer. AND THEY HAVE TO WORK SOMEWHERE!

Someone who was in a sketchy possible date rape situation might be ok with me 15 years later. (As in, to work next to...I could probably be convinced that they won't repeat.) Someone who violently raped a woman in an alley, different story...call me judgmental, fine. Or someone who sexually abused a child. IMO they shouldn't come out.

PiKA2001 · #14 08-13-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Someone who was in a sketchy possible date rape situation might be ok with me 15 years later. (As in, to work next to...I could probably be convinced that they won't repeat.) Someone who violently raped a woman in an alley, different story...call me judgmental, fine. Or someone who sexually abused a child. IMO they shouldn't come out.

I don't think you're being judgmental at all because it's a legitimate concern. MAintaining a safe environment for your employees should be a top priority for employers.

DaemonSeid · #15 08-13-2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

Sorry, I didn't see this until later. I don't think it is unconstitutional to want to know someone's past. I think that getting a background check on someone should be standard. If you are afraid of what might come up, then maybe you shouldn't be hired. As former military with a Top Secret/ SCI clearance, I have nothing in my past to be afraid to share. I think they should do background checks on people working from McDonald's all the way up the chain to other Corporate careers. I don't have children but, I'd be pretty upset if my teenage daughter was flipping burgers after school, right next to a PEDOPHILE. No thanks!

You are killing me with this whole sex offender thing...