Detroit Holds Ex-Cons-Only Jobs Fair

1. 74

   Stacie Lposted 13 years ago

   Detroit Holds Ex-Cons-Only Jobs Fair
   Non-violent offenders need second chance, say backers
   
   "That group (ex-convicts) has difficulties finding jobs," City Council President Charles Pugh said in an interview with Detroit Public Radio. "A lot of times, folks who come out (of jail) and get roadblock after roadblock and door closed, they give up and some of them re-commit crimes because they feel that's their only option."
   
   The "Offenders Only" fair was held at the East Lake Church. Violent offenders, sex offenders and people who had committed crimes against children were not allowed to participate.
   
   Source: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/weird/De … z1axrkn4Z4
   it sounds like a good idea but wonder how unemployed with no criminal record will feel about this special treatment
   Source: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/weird/De … z1axrTwl9f

   replyreport
   1. 62

      Paul Wingertposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      1/3 of US citizens have a criminal record of some some sort. In most states, WAshingotn being one of them, and for certian jobs, it's the law where a job application or employer can inquire about a past conviction less than 7 years old.

      replyreport
   2. 60

      Hollie Thomasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well, if a person has been found guilty of an offence, sentenced and paid their debt to society. How many sentences should they serve for that offence? What I mean is, at what point will they be allowed to integrate fully into civil society without constantly being reminded about the offence. (I'm not talking about child sex offenders or rapists here)

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Hollie Thomasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         It also makes sense to give ex-offenders access to employment, unemployment can in some instances, lead to offending behavior.

         replyreport
2. 73

   Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

   Good idea, but it's locking the door after the horse is out of the barn. What really needs to be done is to repeal and replace the current criminal drug laws that have resulted in the imprisonment of millions of minor drug offenders. Among other issues, the crazy war on drug laws too often result in long sentences for the "little fish" who have no leverage to get lighter sentences by turning others up the ladder in to authorities, while those farther up get off or light sentences by agreeing to testify against big dealers. The U.S. has more people in prison than any other country. In California the prison guards and jail guards unions are a potent political force against prison reform. They recently intimidated Dem governor Jerry Brown into refusing to sign reform bills which designed to improve deplorable conditions in women's prisons.

   replyreport
   1. 62

      Paul Wingertposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I'm all for decriminalizin drugs - especially pot. Although I'm not a smoker or user, I'm looking at the big picture. Apparently most of the politicians  skipped school when there was a history lesson on Prohibition. Did prohibition stop everyone from drinking?  No! Did it lower the crime rate? No, the crime rate actually skyrocketed. Did it make people into better citizens? No. More people than ever had criminal records. It also made the bootleggers rich and gave power to organized crime. Also before prohibition, a good portion of taxes were collected on liquor. When the 18th Amendment passed, there goes a huge chunck of revenue. If you lock up a bank robber or a murderer, you take that person off the dtreets. If you lock up a drug dealer, there will be 10 more to that their place!

      replyreport
      1. 62

         Paul Wingertposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Oh yeah, get rid of unions!

         replyreport
3. 69

   MikeNVposted 13 years ago

   I think it's a great idea.
   
   Why should a person be penalized for life by not being able to obtain employment because they made some mistakes?
   
   Not having employment opportunities is a huge factor in re committing.  People have got to be able to support themselves.
   
   An employed person is a person not out on the street looking to survive based on whatever they can get away with.
   
   I seldom agree with Ralph on anything, but in this case I entirely with the decriminalization of drugs.  Too many people's lives have been destroyed for making a one time mistake.  This is a social issue not a criminal one.
   
   People who are against the decriminalization of drugs need only look at how the "War on Drugs" is going.  So how is it going?  You winning?

   replyreport