Tag Archives: re-entry ex-offender

Marissa McCall Dodson, GJP, Letter to Editor

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Background checks, Criminal Records, Employability of convicted, Ex-offender in Workplace, Inaccurate Information, Low Risk Ex-offender

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Marissa McCall Dodson’s Letter to the Editor, accurate, yet does not go deep enough into the root problem to really reduce the barrier to employment for the ex-offender.

Marissa headshot
posted on February 7th, 2014

In response to the attached article in the Daily Report on February 3, 2014:  “Public Has Right to Ex-Offender Info, Lawyers Say”, GJP’s Policy Director & Attorney, Marissa McCall Dodson wrote a response.

LETTER: ‘Compelling interest’ Allows Records to be Sealed

Daily Report

February 07, 2014, 12:00 AM

This letter concerns the Daily Report’s Feb. 3 article, “Public has right to ex-offender info, lawyers say.”

My organization, the Georgia Justice Project, is committed to reducing the barrier to opportunities faced by those with criminal records in Georgia and we are pleased with the recent recommendations made by the Criminal Justice Reform Council, specifically the recommendation to prohibit consumer reporting agencies from reporting records sealed under Georgia law.

 

– See more at: http://www.gjp.org/news/marissa-mccall-dodsons-letter-to-the-editor/#sthash.gj4vlsQT.dpuf

Public Has Right to Ex-Offender Info, Lawyers Say

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Background checks, Criminal Records, Employability of convicted, Ex-offender in Workplace, Legislators

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“The First Amendment does not allow the government to erase history, including arrest histories,” Manheimer said. “No organization—whether it’s a media organization or a consumer reporting agency—should be punished for publishing accurate information about the fact that our government saw fit to place a person under arrest.

Free speech experts raise concerns about allowing suits over reporting on sealed records

Kathleen Baydala Joyner, Daily Report
February 03, 2014, 12:00 AM

 

Clean Tax Credit (MS) better than Re-entry Certificate

08 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by in Background checks, Ban-the-Box, Criminal Records, Employability of convicted, Ex-offender in Workplace, Legislators, Low Risk Ex-offender

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The Council on Criminal Justice Reform recommends Georgia Department of Corrections issue offenders a certificate that certifies the completion of treatment and vocational training while incarcerated.  The existence of the certificate shall provide immunity in any action against an employer or institution alleging lack of due care.

This past December, InfoMart presented to the Senate Expungement Reform committee.  We supported Georgia establishing a program like the Illinois certificate of re-entry, providing a certificate that provides immunity in any action.

In the one month since, MS house bill 806, has changed the way I think about motivating employers to hire ex-offenders.  

When “Ban the Box” Goes Bad

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by in Background checks, Ban-the-Box, Criminal Records, Employability of convicted, Ex-offender in Workplace, Uncategorized

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Auditors Probe City Background Check Process

December 20, 2013|By JENNA CARLESSO,

HARTFORD — — The Hartford Internal Audit Commission is investigating the city’s policy on background checks, after Mayor Pedro Segarra appointed a man with a history of felony convictions as his deputy chief of staff.

 Probe City Background Check Process.

Beware of “Ban the Box”

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by in Background checks, Ban-the-Box, Criminal Records, Employability of convicted, Ex-offender in Workplace, Low Risk Ex-offender

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Beware of “Ban the Box”

2009 City of Hartford, passed “Ban the Box” ordinance

November 26, 2013 Kennard Ray’s appointment was made public by  Mayor Segarra

November 27, 2013 Ray withdrew from the job.

“Ray had not disclosed his criminal convictions.” Mayor Segarra

Ray said, he wasn’t given the opportunity to disclose his background until after the appointment because of a city policy that keeps the disclosure of criminal records out of the initial recruitment states.

Ray’s Criminal History includes

  • 1997 conviction for the sale of narcotics,
  • 1998 conviction for possession of narcotics,
  • 1998 conviction for carrying a pistol without a permit and
  • 2004 conviction for criminal possession of a gun.

Auditors probe city background check

“Removing the Barrier” to employment at the expense of the ex-offender

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by in Background checks, Ban-the-Box, Criminal Records, Employability of convicted, Ex-offender in Workplace, Low Risk Ex-offender

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“Employers have every right to ask about conviction status during the interview process, and can deny anyone a position based on “moral turpitude” – which could include everything from drug dealing, to sex offenses, to other violent crimes.”  from the Drug Policy Alliance of NM
After an ex-offender prepares for an interview, spends money to travel to the interview, survives the stress of explaining face-to-face their past criminal record, only to be denied employment…..“removing the barrier” to employment at the expense of the ex-offender and employer