Posted on 02/20/2007 3:44:25 AM PST by Brilliant
Self-employment is what got most of these people a felony in the first place...
The trouble with that is that "Felony" is continually redefined.
The word implies crimes like murder and robbery, but it can just as well mean that someone was late on their alimony payments too often, or sold a pound of pot when they were 20, or ran afoul of the IRS.
I would not hire someone who was likely to empty the till, or kill me with an ax, but I would at least consider doing so if someone had comitted a "Paper" felony.
Anyone that sells a pound of pot needs the Singapore treatment.
No I think stigma is a good thing but I don't see anything wrong with offering them job hunting tips. In fact I think that's a good thing too.
A quick review of your posts on this thread makes me wonder if you have something you would like to share with the group.
As to whether I believe in people changing, I don't see where any part of my post precludes the possibility of change. To the contrary, I pointed out specific changes that are required to enhance success: don't return to the crowd you used to run with, stay off drugs, improve language skills. Further, I have supported prison ministries that address the real change that brings people back to a better life, a relationship with a living God through His Son.
Finally, the other point of my post is that choices have consequences, sometimes far beyond the courtroom and the jail cell. As in the licensed trades not being open to felons, that is a change that would have to be made by the legislature and has nothing to do with the individual and the ability to really live a changed life.
I seem to recall in Calif. they have a strange way of treating felony convictions. They call them wobblers, if you were convicted of a felony, but given probation instead, it becomes a misdemeanor. If that is true, you might be able to get away with saying "no." Disclaimer: This isn't legal advice!!
Do you employ them? Would you employ them?
Not a particularly good one either. Most crime is a result of "self-employment".
How perceptive, but no thanks, not if you are in the group.
"a relationship with a living God through His Son."
Exactly, that would include a path to redemption. You may preach it, but do you believe in it? If a man repents and ask for forgiveness, Jesus says we must do it.
Repentance means a turning away from the sin for which the penitent is sorry for (contrition). In my earlier posts, I described what turning away would look like. If I were a business owner that had a person referred to me by a prison ministry that I trust, then I would consider hiring that individual on the strength of their recommendation that true repentance has occurred and I can see some evidence of it.
I hope we have found something to agree on because I don't see that we really have any disagreement between us. You say people can change and we should make allowances to give them a shot. I agree and all I ask for is a little evidence of the change.
There are lots of things that are felonies these days, like possession of certain guns without all the necessary permits/fees/approvals/restrictions. Oh, by the way, gun possession is defined as a violent crime in some jurisdictions. Besides, there are millions of laws, growing every year. How can you even know whether you're a felon or not? Judges can't even agree on what the law says, which is why many judgements get reversed on appeal.
I have a friend with a felony on his record and some quality prison time to prove it. When he last applied for a job, he noted the incarceration period on his resume as a job working for the "XXXXX State Dept of Corrections" and went on to list the job duties he performed while on daytime work release. It was the best way he could tell the truth on the resume while giving himself the chance at some face time with a potential employer. Believe it or not, it worked.
Certainly depending on the job and/or the record of the potential employee. Just because a person has a record does not mean he is not a good potential employee. That record could be many years in the past and people do change, I can absolutely guarantee that. They have to re-establish their credibility of course before they can be hired for some work. There are also some jobs that mostly require a strong back and a willingness to work or sometimes just a willingness to work.
You're PC skills are finely honed. I wish you the best of luck...
I've got a sister that committed multiple felonies, forgery, embezzlement, tax fraud, etc., but was never prosecuted. Does that count?
She redefined "black sheep" in my family......
Same to ya jerk.
You defend felons and call me a jerk. The only adequate word is pathetic.
Yeah..jerk is wrong. Ignorant is probably better.
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